                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

OPERATION OF LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT UNDER CONTRACT WITH BOARD; LOCAL HEALTH
SERVICES ADVISORY BOARDS; DISTRICT HEALTH DEPARTMENTS (§ 32.1-31)

A. The governing body of any county or city may enter into a contract with the
Board for the operation of the local health department in such county or city.

B. Each contract between a county or city and the Board shall specify the
services to be provided in addition to the services required by law and shall
contain such other provisions as the Board and the governing body of the county
or city may agree upon.

C. Whenever in the opinion of the State Health Commissioner the operation of any
local health departments operated under contractual agreement with the Board may
be accomplished in a more efficient and economical manner by the consolidation
of such local health departments, the Commissioner may propose the creation of a
district health department composed of such local health departments. Such
district health department shall be created by resolution duly adopted by the
governing body of each county and city to be included in such district.

C1. The governing body of each city or county may appoint a local health
services advisory board for the local health department that serves it. If a
local health department serves more than one city or county, the governing
bodies of the cities or counties that it serves shall be entitled to jointly
appoint such a board. The board shall include representatives of health care
providers, recipients of health department services, state and local agencies
with programs operated in conjunction with the health department, and the public
at large. No more than two elected officials shall serve on any board.
			The number of members appointed to each local board shall not be less than
ten nor more than fifteen.
			The local board shall actively participate with community representatives in
the formulation of a comprehensive plan for the development, coordination and
evaluation of local health services systems and shall make formal
recommendations to the governing authority or authorities at least annually
concerning the comprehensive plan and its implementation during the ensuing
year.
			It shall be the responsibility of the local health director to:

   1. Attend the meetings of the board;

   2. Provide information concerning the operation of the local health department
   as requested by the board; and

   3. Participate with the board in the preparation and review of the
   comprehensive plan.

D. Whenever a contract is entered into between a county or city and the Board as
provided in this section, the Commissioner shall appoint the health director for
the local health department. Whenever a district health department is formed as
provided in this section, the Commissioner shall appoint a district health
director who shall be deemed to be the local health director of each county and
city in the district. Each health director appointed by the Commissioner shall
be employed full time and shall be a state employee. Such health director shall
perform such duties as may be prescribed in the contract or contracts and, with
the approval of the Commissioner, any other health-related duties prescribed by
local ordinances.

E. Every employee of a local or district health department operated under a
contract with the Board shall be a state employee; but if such person was an
employee of such political subdivision and a member of the local retirement
system on the effective date of any such contract and does not elect, in writing
and within sixty days after the effective date of such contract, to become a
member of the Commonwealth&#8217;s retirement system, such employee shall remain
a member of the local retirement system.
			In any case in which the effective date of such contract of affiliation is
prior to July 1, 1977, any member of the Virginia Retirement System who became a
member by such election and who has withdrawn his contributions from the local
retirement system may be credited with his creditable service in such local
system upon payment to the Virginia Retirement System of an amount equal to five
percent of his salary rate at the date of payment multiplied by the number of
years of service to be credited. Such crediting of service shall be allowed only
if such member files written request therefor with the Board prior to October 1,
1977.

HISTORY: Code 1950, §§ 32-40.1, 32-40.2; 1954, c. 508; 1966, c. 535; 1977, c.
620; 1979, c. 711; 1987, c. 206.