Sec. 20. (a) The board of each city health department shall appoint a health officer who meets the requirements set forth in IC 16-20-1-9.5. The appointment is subject to the approval of the city legislative body.

     (b) The health officer is the executive officer for the department and shall serve as secretary of the local board.

     (c) The health officer must be a citizen of the United States.

     (d) If a city health department wants to employ a local health officer who is not a physician, but meets the requirements of IC 16-20-1-9.5(a)(2), the city health department must do the following:

(1) Obtain the approval of the city executive.

(2) Upon obtaining the approval under subdivision (1), submit a request to the executive board of the state department for approval to employ the individual. The request must detail how the city plans to ensure the appropriate clinical oversight for any provided medical services.

     (e) The executive board of the state department shall determine whether to approve a request under subsection (d)(2) based on the needs of the requesting city and the qualifications of the individual.

     (f) A local health officer may be appointed to serve simultaneously more than one (1) local board of health.

     (g) A health officer serves a term of four (4) years unless removed for cause as provided in this title.

[Pre-1993 Recodification Citation: 16-1-7-27.]

As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.164-2023, SEC.35.