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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>78473</law_id><section_number>32.1-32</section_number><catch_line>Independent local health departments</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>15.2-534</reference><reference>15.2-629</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="32.1">Health</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="1">Administration Generally</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="5">Local Health Departments and Directors</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The governing body of any county or city which does not enter into a <span class="dictionary">contract</span> with the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> for the operation of the local health <span class="dictionary">department</span> shall appoint the local health director and may appoint a local <span class="dictionary">board</span> of health to establish policies and to advise the local health <span class="dictionary">department</span>. <a id="paragraph-281293" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-32/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Each local health director and local board of health appointed by a governing body as provided in this section shall enforce all health <span class="dictionary">laws</span> of this Commonwealth and regulations of the <span class="dictionary">State Board</span> of Health. In case any such local health director or local board fails to enforce any such <span class="dictionary">laws</span> or regulations, the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> may apply to the appropriate <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> for an <span class="dictionary">injunction</span>, <span class="dictionary">writ of mandamus</span> or other appropriate remedy to compel such local health director or local board to enforce such <span class="dictionary">laws</span> or regulations. <a id="paragraph-281294" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-32/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1979, c. 711.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
