251.001  Legislative findings. The legislature finds that the provision of public health services in this state is a matter of statewide concern.History:  1993 a. 27.
251.01  Definitions. In this chapter: (1c) Advanced practice registered nurse means any of the following:(a) Certified nurse-midwife.(b) Certified registered nurse anesthetist.(c) Clinical nurse specialist.(d) Nurse practitioner. (1g) City-county board of health" means a board of health for a city-county health department. (1r) County board of health" means a board of health for a single county health department or for a multiple county health department. (3) County health officer" means the position of a local health officer in a single county health department or in a multiple county health department. (7m) Represented employee" means an employee in a collective bargaining unit for which a representative is recognized or certified under subch. IV of ch. 111. (8) Sanitarian" means a sanitarian, as defined in s. 440.98 (1) (b), who is registered under s. 440.98 (5).History:  1993 a. 27 ss. 196, 197, 460; 2001 a. 16; 2007 a. 130; 2021 a. 192.
251.02  Local health department; establishment. (1) In counties with a population of less than 750,000, unless a county board establishes a city-county health department under sub. (1m) jointly with the governing body of a city or establishes a multiple county health department under sub. (3) in conjunction with another county, the county board shall establish a single county health department, which shall meet the requirements of this chapter. The county health department shall serve all areas of the county that are not served by a city health department that was established prior to January 1, 1994, by a town or village health department established under sub. (3m), or by a multiple municipal local health department established under sub. (3r) or by a city-city health department established under sub. (3t). No governing body of a city may establish a city health department after January 1, 1994. (1m) Subject to sub. (1r), in counties with a population of less than 750,000, the county board and the governing body of a city that has a city health department may jointly establish a city-county health department, which shall meet the requirements of this chapter. A city-county health department shall serve all areas of the county that are not served by a city health department that was established prior to January 1, 1994, by a town or village health department established under sub. (3m), or by a multiple municipal local health department established under sub. (3r). A city-county health department established under this subsection after September 1, 2001, is subject to the control of the city and county acting jointly under an agreement entered into under s. 66.0301 that specifies, in conformity with this chapter, all of the following:(a) The powers and duties of the city-county health department.(b) The powers and duties of the city-county board of health for the city-county health department.(c) The relative powers and duties of the city and county with respect to governance of the city-county health department and the city-county board of health. (1r) If a city that assigns represented employees to its city health department and if a county that assigns represented employees to its county health department jointly establish a city-county health department under an agreement specified under sub. (1m), all of the following shall apply, but only if the represented employees at the city health department and at the county health department who perform similar functions are included in collective bargaining units that are represented by the same representative:(a) The city-county health department shall offer employment to all city and county employees who are represented employees and who perform functions for the city and county that are transferred to the city-county health department in the agreement under sub. (1m).(b) Notwithstanding s. 111.70 (4) (d), if, in any collective bargaining unit that is initially created at the city-county health department, all of the former city and county employees were represented by the same representative when they were employed by the city or county, that representative shall become the initial representative of the employees in the collective bargaining unit without the necessity of filing a petition or conducting an election.(c) Unless otherwise prohibited by law, with respect to city-county health department employees who were formerly represented employees at the city or county, the city-county health department shall adhere to the terms of the collective bargaining agreements that covered these employees while they were employed by the city or county until such time that the city-county health department and the representative of the employees have entered into a collective bargaining agreement. (2) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), in a county with a population of 750,000 or more, the governing body of each city or village shall do one of the following:1. Establish a local health department that meets the requirements of this chapter.2. Contract with the local health department of another city or village in the county to have that local health department provide services in the city or village. (b) In a county with a population of 750,000 or more, the governing body of a city or village may establish, jointly with the governing body of another city or village, a multiple municipal local health department that meets the requirements of this chapter.  (3) A county board may, in conjunction with the county board of one or more other counties, establish a multiple county health department, which shall meet the requirements of this chapter. A multiple county health department shall serve all areas of the respective counties that are not served by a city health department that was established prior to January 1, 1994, by a town or village health department established under sub. (3m), or by a multiple municipal local health department established under sub. (3r). (3m) If a county has a population of at least 100,000 but less than 750,000 and the county board of that county has, by July 1, 1985, abolished a county health commission or committee established under s. 141.10, 1991 stats., a village board in that county may continue and establish as a local board of health a village board of health that was established prior to January 1, 1994, and a town board in that county may continue and establish as a local board of health a town board of health that was established prior to January 1, 1994. A village or town that does so shall establish a local health department and elect a local health officer consistent with this chapter. (3r) In a county described in sub. (3m), in addition to the local health department required to be established under sub. (3m), the governing body of a city, village or town in that county may, in concert with the governing body of another city, village or town in that county, establish a multiple municipal local health department and elect a local health officer consistent with this chapter. (3t) The governing body of a city with a city health department, as specified in s. 250.01 (4) (a) 3., may, in concert with the governing body of another city with a city health department, as specified in s. 250.01 (4) (a) 3., in the same county, establish a city-city health department and elect a local health officer consistent with this chapter.  (4) No governing body of a county, city, village or town is required to use the term local health department" to refer to a local health department that is established under this section.History:  1993 a. 27; 1999 a. 9, 185; 2001 a. 16; 2003 a. 158; 2011 a. 32; 2017 a. 207 s. 5.
251.03  Local board of health; members. (1) A local board of health shall consist of not more than 9 members. At least 3 of these members shall be persons who are not elected officials or employees of the governing body that establishes the local health department and who have a demonstrated interest or competence in the field of public health or community health. In appointing the members who are not elected officials or employees, a good faith effort shall be made to appoint a registered nurse and a physician, except that if the appointing authority is unable to locate a willing registered nurse, physician, or both, it shall make a good faith effort to appoint a physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, or both. Members of the local board of health shall reflect the diversity of the community. A county human services board under s. 46.23 (4) may act as a county board of health if the membership of the county human services board meets the qualifications specified in this subsection and if the county human services board is authorized to act in that capacity by the county board of supervisors. If a county human services board acts in this capacity, it shall use the word health" in its title. (2) The chief executive officer of a city or a village shall appoint members of a local board of health, subject to confirmation by the governing body. In a county with a county executive, the county executive shall appoint members of the county board of health, subject to confirmation by the county board of supervisors. In a county without a county executive, members of the county board of health shall be appointed by the chairperson of the county board of supervisors, subject to confirmation by the county board of supervisors. The person who appoints members of the local board of health may designate certain members to be nonvoting members of the board. (3) In establishing a city-county or multiple county health department, the relevant governing bodies shall agree on how many members of the local board of health are appointed by each governing body and how many of each governing body's appointees shall be members who are not elected officials or employees of the governing body. The members shall be appointed as specified in sub. (2). (4) Governing bodies of counties, cities or villages that appoint local boards of health shall specify the lengths of terms of members and shall provide for staggered terms. (4m) Subsections (1) to (4) do not apply to a village or town that establishes a local health department under s. 251.02 (3m). In a village or town that does so, the village board or town board shall establish itself as a local board of health or appoint either wholly or partially from its own members a local board of health that consists of a suitable number of competent persons. A local board of health under this subsection shall elect a chairperson and clerk. (4r) Subsections (1) to (4m) do not apply to a city, village or town that establishes a multiple municipal local health department under s. 251.02 (2) (b) or (3r), or to cities that establish a city-city local health department under s. 251.02 (3t). In establishing a multiple municipal local health department as described under s. 251.02 (2) (b) or (3r), the relevant governing bodies shall agree on how many members of the local board of health are appointed by each governing body and how many of each governing body's appointees shall be members who are not elected officials or employees of the governing body. The members shall be appointed by the relevant governing bodies. A local board of health under this subsection shall elect a chairperson and clerk.  (5) No governing body of a county, city, village or town is required to use the term local board of health" to refer to a local board of health that is established under this section.History:  1993 a. 27; 1999 a. 9; 2003 a. 158; 2021 a. 192; s. 35.17 correction in (1).
251.04  Local board of health; powers and duties. (1) Except as authorized in s. 251.02 (2) (b), (3m), (3r), and (3t), a city board of health shall govern a city health department, a county board of health shall govern a county health department or multiple county health department, and a city-county board of health shall govern a city-county health department. A city board of health, a county board of health, a city-county board of health, or a board of health for a local health department as authorized in s. 251.02 (2) (b), (3m), (3r), or (3t) shall assure the enforcement of state public health statutes and public health rules of the department as prescribed for a Level I local health department. A local board of health may contract or subcontract with a public or private entity to provide public health services. The contractor's staff shall meet the appropriate qualifications for positions in a Level I local health department. (2) A city or county board of health or a board of health for a local health department as authorized in s. 251.02 (2) (b), (3m), (3r), or (3t) shall assure that its local health department is a Level I, Level II, or Level III local health department, as specified in s. 251.05 (1).  (3) A city or county board of health or a board of health for a local health department as authorized in s. 251.02 (2) (b), (3m), (3r), or (3t) may adopt those regulations, for its own guidance and for the governance of the local health department, that it considers necessary to protect and improve public health. The regulations may be no less stringent than, and may not conflict with, state statutes and rules of the department.  (4) A local board of health shall report to the department as required by rule. (5) A local board of health shall meet at least quarterly. (6) A local board of health shall:(a) Assess public health needs and advocate for the provision of reasonable and necessary public health services.(b) Develop policy and provide leadership that fosters local involvement and commitment, that emphasizes public health needs and that advocates for equitable distribution of public health resources and complementary private activities commensurate with public health needs. (7) A local board of health shall assure that measures are taken to provide an environment in which individuals can be healthy. (8) Unless the manner of employment is otherwise provided for by ordinance, a local board of health shall employ qualified public health professionals, including a public health nurse to conduct general public health nursing programs under the direction of the local board of health and in cooperation with the department, and may employ one or more sanitarians to conduct environmental programs and other public health programs not specifically designated by statute as functions of the public health nurse. The local board of health shall coordinate the activities of any sanitarian employed by the governing body of the jurisdiction that the local board of health serves. The local board of health is not required to employ different persons to perform these functions. (9) In counties with a single county health department and either a county executive or a county administrator, the county executive or county administrator may assume the powers and duties of a local board of health under this section. If a county executive or a county administrator elects to assume those powers and duties, the local board of health shall be only a policy-making body determining the broad outlines and principles governing the administration of the county health department.History:  1993 a. 27 ss. 261, 264, 463; 1997 a. 114; 1999 a. 9, 185; 2001 a. 16; 2003 a. 158.
251.05  Local health department; levels of service; duties. (1) A local health department shall meet the following requirements specified in par. (a) and may, unless sub. (6) applies, meet the following requirements specified in par. (b) or (c):(a) As a Level I local health department, at least the level of services specified in sub. (2) (a) with a local health officer who at least meets the qualifications specified in s. 251.06 (1) (a).(b) As a Level II local health department, at least the level of services specified in sub. (2) (b) with a local health officer who at least meets the qualifications specified in s. 251.06 (1) (b).(c) As a Level III local health department, at least the level of services specified in sub. (2) (c) with a local health officer who at least meets the qualifications specified in s. 251.06 (1) (c). (2) The services to be provided by the 3 levels of local health departments are as follows:(a) A Level I local health department shall provide at least surveillance, investigation, control and prevention of communicable diseases, other disease prevention, health promotion and human health hazard control.(b) A Level II local health department shall provide at least the services under par. (a) and additional services specified by the department by rule under s. 251.20 (3).(c) A Level III local health department shall provide at least the services under par. (a) and additional services specified by the department by rule under s. 251.20 (3). (3) A local health department shall:(a) Regularly and systematically collect, assemble, analyze and make available information on the health of the community, including statistics on health status, community health needs and epidemiologic and other studies of health problems.(b) Develop public health policies and procedures for the community.(c) Involve key policymakers and the general public in determining and developing a community health improvement plan that includes actions to implement the services and functions specified under s. 250.03 (1) (L).(d) Submit data, as requested, to the local public health data system established by the department.(e) Act as agent of the department, if designated by the secretary under s. 250.042 (1). (4) Except as provided in sub. (6), a local health department is not required to provide the level of services that is specified in sub. (1) (b) or (c) or to have a local health officer who meets the qualifications specified in sub. (1) (b) or (c). (5) Except as provided in sub. (6), the department may not require a local health department to provide the level of services that is specified in sub. (1) (b) or (c) or to have a local health officer who meets the qualifications specified in sub. (1) (b) or (c). (6) A local health department may be required to provide the level of services that is specified in sub. (1) (b) or (c) if and only to the extent that these services and qualifications are funded from state and federal funds that are available and are additional to any funding available on January 1, 1994.History:  1993 a. 27; 2001 a. 109; 2005 a. 198; 2007 a. 130.
251.06  Local health officer; qualifications; duties. (1) (a)1. Except as provided in subd. 2. or 3., a local health officer of a Level I local health department shall have at least a bachelor's degree from a nursing program accredited by the national professional nursing education accrediting organization or from a nursing program accredited by the board of nursing.2. A local health officer of a village or town health department established under s. 251.02 (3m) or of a multiple municipal local health department established under s. 251.02 (3r) shall be either a physician or a registered nurse. The local health officer shall be a voting member of the local board of health and shall take an oath of office. With respect to the levels of services of a Level I local health department, as specified in s. 251.05 (2) (a), the local health officer shall be authorized to act by and be directed by the county health officer of the county specified under s. 251.02 (3m).3. If there is more than one full-time employee of a Level I local health department, including a full-time public health nurse who meets the qualifications specified under s. 250.06, the local health officer may meet the qualifications of a Level II or Level III local health officer.(b) A local health officer of a Level II local health department shall have at least 3 years of experience in a full-time position with a public health agency, including responsibility for a communicable disease prevention and control program, preferably in a supervisory or other administrative position, and at least one of the following:1. A bachelor's degree from a nursing program accredited by the national professional nursing education accrediting organization or from a nursing program accredited by the board of nursing, either of which shall include preparation in public health nursing.2. A bachelor's degree in public health, environmental health, the physical or biological sciences or a similar field.(c) A local health officer of a Level III local health department shall have at least one of the following:1. A master's degree in public health, public administration, health administration or, as defined in rules promulgated by the department, a similar field and 3 years of experience in a full-time administrative position in either a public health agency or public health work.2. A bachelor's degree and 16 graduate semester credits towards a master's degree in public health, public administration, health administration or, as defined in rules promulgated by the department, a similar field and 5 years of experience in a full-time administrative position in either a public health agency or public health work.3. A license to practice medicine and surgery under ch. 448 and at least one of the following:a. Three years of experience in a full-time administrative position in either a public health agency or public health work.b. Eligibility for certification by the American board of preventive medicine in public health or general preventive medicine.c. A master's degree in public health, public administration, health administration or, as defined in rules promulgated by the department, a similar field.(d) Notwithstanding pars. (a) to (c), relevant education, training, instruction, or other experience that an applicant obtained in connection with military service, as defined in s. 111.32 (12g), counts toward satisfying the requirements for education, training, instruction, or other experience to qualify as a public health officer if the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the education, training, instruction, or other experience that the applicant obtained in connection with his or her military service is substantially equivalent to the education, training, instruction, or other experience that is required to qualify as a public health officer. (2) (a) Except as provided in pars. (b) and (c), a local health officer shall be a full-time employee of a local health department.(b) A local health officer of a county health department in a county under s. 251.02 (3m) shall be a full-time employee of the county who meets the qualifications of a local health officer of a Level I local health department.(c) A local health officer of a local health department of a village or town established under s. 251.02 (3m) or a local health officer of a multiple municipal local health department established under s. 251.02 (3r) shall be one of the following:1. An employee of the local health department of the village or town or an employee of the multiple municipal local health department.2. A full-time employee of a local health department other than that specified in subd. 1.3. The local health officer under par. (b).4. The employee of a hospital, who provides, on a full-time basis, the services under s. 251.05 (2) (a), (b) or (c). (3) A local health officer shall:(a) Administer the local health department in accordance with state statutes and rules.(b) Enforce state public health statutes and rules.(c) Enforce any regulations that the local board of health adopts and any ordinances that the relevant governing body enacts, if those regulations and ordinances are consistent with state public health statutes and rules.(d) Administer all funds received by the local health department for public health programs.(e) Appoint all necessary subordinate personnel, assure that they meet appropriate qualifications and have supervisory power over all subordinate personnel. Any public health nurses and sanitarians hired for the local health department shall meet any qualification requirements established in rules promulgated by the department. Subordinate personnel" under this paragraph may include any of the following:1. A public health educator who meets qualifications that the department shall specify by rule.2. A public health nutritionist, who is a certified dietitian, as defined in s. 448.70 (1m), is credentialed as a registered dietitian by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, and meets qualifications that the department shall specify by rule.3. A public health dental hygienist, who is licensed as a dental hygienist under s. 447.04 (2) (a) or (b), and who meets qualifications that the department shall specify by rule.(f) Investigate and supervise the sanitary conditions of all premises within the jurisdictional area of the local health department.(g) Have access to vital records and vital statistics from the register of deeds, as specified in ch. 69.(h) Have charge of the local health department and perform the duties prescribed by the local board of health. The local health officer shall submit an annual report of the administration of the local health department to the local board of health.(i) Promote the spread of information as to the causes, nature and prevention of prevalent diseases, and the preservation and improvement of health. (4) (a) Except as provided in pars. (b) and (c), a local health officer shall be appointed in the same manner as are members of a local board of health under s. 251.03 (2).(b) In any county with a county executive that has a single county health department, the county executive shall appoint and supervise the county health officer. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the county board unless the county board, by ordinance, elects to waive confirmation or unless the appointment is made under a civil service system competitive examination procedure established under s. 59.52 (8) or ch. 63. The county health officer appointed under this paragraph is subject only to the supervision of the county executive. In a county with such a county health officer, the local board of health shall be only a policy-making body determining the broad outlines and principles governing the administration of the county health department.(c) A local health officer of a village or town health department established under s. 251.02 (3m), of a multiple municipal local health department established under s. 251.02 (2) (b) or (3r), or of a city-city local health department established under s. 251.02 (3t) shall be appointed by the local board of health. History:  1993 a. 27 ss. 203, 209, 266, 465; 1993 a. 106; 1995 a. 201; 1997 a. 114; 1999 a. 9; 2003 a. 158; 2007 a. 130; 2011 a. 120.This section does not require that a county create a stand-alone county health department and does not preclude the county human services director from exercising any managerial authority over the county health officer with respect to the operation of county health department programs. Because the transfer of the functions of a county health department to the county human services department is expressly authorized under s. 46.23 (3) (b) 1. bm. and c., a county that has a county executive is not required to create a stand-alone county health department. OAG 7-08.
251.07  Certain physicians; state agency status. A physician who is not an employee of the local health department and who provides services, without compensation, for those programs and services provided by a local health department that require medical oversight is, for the provision of the services he or she provides, a state agent of the department of health services for the purposes of ss. 165.25 (6), 893.82 (3), and 895.46. History:  2007 a. 20 s. 9121 (6) (a); 2007 a. 130; 2009 a. 276.
251.08  Jurisdiction of local health department. The jurisdiction of the local health department shall extend to the entire area represented by the governing body of the county, city, village or town that established the local health department, except that the jurisdiction of a single or multiple county health department or of a city-county health department does not extend to cities, villages and towns that have local health departments. Cities, towns and villages having local health departments may by vote of their local boards of health determine to come under the jurisdiction of the county health department. No part of any expense incurred under this section by a county health department may be levied against any property within any city, village or town that has a local health department and that has not determined to come under the jurisdiction of the county health department.History:  1993 a. 27 s. 213; 2001 a. 16.
251.09  Joint services. Local health departments jointly may provide health services as agreed upon under s. 66.0301, unless, notwithstanding s. 66.0301, the agreement conflicts with a provision of this chapter.History:  1993 a. 27 s. 271; Stats. 1993 s. 251.09; 1999 a. 150 s. 672.
251.10  County health department, how financed. The county board shall appropriate funds for the operation of a single county health department that is established under s. 251.02 (1) and determine compensation of county health department employees. The local board of health shall annually prepare a budget of the proposed expenditures of the county health department for the ensuing fiscal year.History:  1993 a. 27.
251.11  City-county health department and multiple county health department, how financed. (1) The local board of health of every multiple county health department established under s. 251.02 (3) and of every city-county health department established under s. 251.02 (1m) shall annually prepare a budget of its proposed expenditures for the ensuing fiscal year and determine the contribution from each participating county or city in a manner agreed upon by the relevant governing bodies. A certified copy of the budget, which shall include a statement of the amount required from each county and city, shall be delivered to the county board of each participating county and to the mayor or city manager of each participating city. The appropriation to be made by each participating county and city shall be determined by the governing body of the county and city. No part of the cost apportioned to the county shall be levied against any property within the city. (2) The local board of health of a multiple county health department established under s. 251.02 (3) shall, under this section, determine the compensation for the employees of the multiple county health department. The local board of health of a city-county health department established under s. 251.02 (1m) shall, under this section, determine the compensation for the employees of the city-county health department.History:  1993 a. 27 ss. 207, 216, 217; 2001 a. 16, 104; 2015 a. 175; 2017 a. 6.
251.115  Multiple municipal local health department and city-city local health department; how financed. The governing body of every multiple municipal local health department established under s. 251.02 (2) (b) or (3r) and of every city-city local health department established under s. 251.02 (3t) shall annually prepare a budget of its proposed expenditures for the ensuing fiscal year and determine the contribution from each participating municipality in a manner agreed upon by the relevant governing bodies. A certified copy of the budget, which shall include a statement of the amount required from each municipality, shall be delivered to the governing body of each participating municipality. The appropriation to be made by each participating municipality shall be determined by the governing body of the city, village, and town. History:  2015 a. 175; 2017 a. 6.
251.12  City health department, how financed. The common council shall appropriate funds for the operation of all of the following: (1) A city health department that is established as specified in s. 251.02 (1) and (2) (a). (2) A multiple municipal local health department that is established as specified in s. 251.02 (3r).  (3) A multiple municipal local health department that is established as specified in s. 251.02 (2) (b).  (4) A city-city local health department that is established as specified in s. 251.02 (3t). History:  1993 a. 27; 1999 a. 9; 2003 a. 158, 326.
251.125  Village health department, how financed. If a village health department is established under s. 251.02 (2) (a) or (3m), if a multiple municipal local health department is established as specified in s. 251.02 (3r), or if a multiple municipal local health department is established as specified in s. 251.02 (2) (b), the village board shall appropriate funds for the operation of the department. History:  1993 a. 27; 1999 a. 9, 185; 2003 a. 158.
251.127  Town health department, how financed. If a town health department is established under s. 251.02 (3m) or if a multiple municipal local health department is established under s. 251.02 (3r) by the governing body of a town in concert with the governing body of another town or a city or village, the town board shall appropriate funds for the operation of the department.History:  1993 a. 27; 1999 a. 9.
251.13  City-county health department and multiple county health department, joint funds. For each multiple county or city-county health department, a joint health department fund shall be created either in the treasurer's office where the principal office of the health department is located or in the office of the city treasurer of a city within the health department's jurisdiction, as determined by the local board of health. The treasurer of each county and city participating in the health department shall annually pay or cause to be paid into the fund the share of the county or city. This fund shall be expended by the treasurer in whose office the fund is kept in the manner prescribed by the local board of health pursuant to properly authenticated vouchers of the health department signed by the local health officer.History:  1993 a. 27 s. 218.
251.135  Publication and effective date of orders and regulations. The orders and regulations of a local board of health shall be published as a class 1 notice, under ch. 985, and shall take effect immediately after publication. No local board of health is required to use the term regulation" to refer to a regulation that is published under this section.History:  1993 a. 27 s. 211; Stats. 1993 s. 251.135.
251.14  Gifts. A local board of health may receive gifts and donations for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this chapter.History:  1993 a. 27 s. 215.
251.15  Withdrawal of counties, cities, villages, or towns. (1) After establishing a multiple county health department under s. 251.02 (3), any participating county board may withdraw by giving written notice to its county board of health and the county boards of all other participating counties, except that participating county boards may, in establishing a multiple county health department under s. 251.02 (3), establish an initial minimum participation period of up to 5 years. If a multiple county health department is established with an initial minimum participation period under this subsection, a participating county may not withdraw during that initial minimum period unless withdrawal is necessary to meet statutory requirements for a Level I health department under s. 251.05. (2) A city that had established a local health department prior to deciding to participate in a city-county health department established under s. 251.02 (1m) may withdraw from the city-county health department if the common council of the city gives written notice to the county board of the participating county, except that participating cities and counties may, in establishing a city-county health department under s. 251.02 (1m), establish an initial minimum participation period of up to 5 years. If a city-county health department is established with an initial minimum participation period under this subsection, a participating city or county may not withdraw during that initial minimum period unless withdrawal is necessary to meet statutory requirements for a Level I health department under s. 251.05. (2m) After establishing a multiple municipal local health department under s. 251.02 (2) (b) or (3r) or a city-city local health department under s. 251.02 (3t), the governing body of any participating city, village, or town participating may withdraw by giving written notice to the local board of health and to the governing bodies of all other participating cities, villages, and towns, except that participating cities, villages, and towns may, in establishing a multiple municipal local health department under s. 251.02 (2) (b) or (3r) or a city-city local health department under s. 251.02 (3t), establish an initial minimum participation period of up to 5 years. If a multiple municipal local health department or city-city local health department is established with an initial minimum participation period under this subsection, a participating city, village, or town may not withdraw during that initial minimum period unless withdrawal is necessary to meet statutory requirements for a Level I health department under s. 251.05.  (3) The notice under sub. (1), (2), or (2m) shall be given at least one year prior to commencement of the fiscal year at which the withdrawal takes effect. Whenever the withdrawal takes effect, all relevant provisions of law relating to local boards of health and local health officers shall immediately become applicable within the withdrawing county, city, village, or town. History:  1993 a. 27 s. 220; 2001 a. 16; 2003 a. 158; 2015 a. 175.
251.16  Local health department; evidence. The reports and employees of a local health department are subject to s. 970.03 (12) (b).History:  1979 c. 221; 1985 a. 267 s. 3; 1993 a. 27 s. 221; Stats. 1993 s. 251.16.
251.20  Rule making. The department shall promulgate rules that specify all of the following: (1) Required services for each of Levels I, II and III local health departments under s. 251.05 (2). (3) Additional required services for Level II and Level III local health departments under s. 251.05 (2) (b) and (c), including services that the department of health services determines appropriately address objectives or services specified in the most recent public health agenda under s. 250.07 (1) (a). History:  1993 a. 27; 2005 a. 198; 2009 a. 180.