Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-28

WANT TO CREATE STATE
 HEALTH DEPARTMENT. Act Pro~idss for Appointmert of Com
 missioner by 0overnor.
 An act creating . state department of health. but which has not yet been acted upon by the general assembly, Is as follows:
 Be 1t enacted by the Senate and House
 of Representatives in General As
 sembly convened:
 Section 1. A, department of health is created which shall have the author ity and perform the duties now con- farred upon the state board of health. Such department shan consist of c commissioner of health and q public health council with such directors or bureaus and officials ae are hereinafter provided.
 Sec. Q. The governor shall appoint . commissioner of heafth who shall be the administrative head of the depart health council. Such commissioner shall be Q physician, graduated by an incorporated medical college recognized by one of the medical examining
 
 years experience in actual practice of his profession. skilled in sanitary sct- ence and experienced in public health administration. The term of office of six years from the first day of July following his appointment. He shall not engage in any other occupation. and shall be paid such compensation for his services as the public health council shall determine, and the ex- n nAy-f0rYnanCA his duties.
 Sec. B. On or before July 1. 1917, the governor shall appoint six mem bers of the public health council, at least three of whom shall be phySi- clans, and one a sanitary ehgineer. Two members of such council shall hold office from their appointment un- til the first day of July. 1919. two until until the first day of July, 1923. The terms of office of members appointed in 1919 and biennially thereafter shall be six years from the first day of July ernor shall fill any vacancy. Mem bers of the public health council shall be paid their actual and necessary ex- penses incurred in the performance of official duties.
 Sec. 4. Said council shall meet at least once in three months, and at such other times as it shall determine 6r upon request of any four members. or of the commissioner of health. Four members of the council, including the commissioner of health, shall consti- ute a quorHIn.
 Sec. 5. Said council shall establish sanitary code. and from time to time amend the same The sanitary code may provide for the preservation and improvement of the public health. Each regulation adopted by said coun- Gil shall state the date on which it takes effect, and copy thereof. sign ed by the commissioner of health. shall be filed in the office of the secretary of the state, and a copy shall be sent by the commissioner Of health to each health officer. and shall be published in such manner as said council may determine. Said council shall have au- of the directors of bureaus and all other appointees, shall submit bien- n1ally to the governor a report with such recommendations as it may deem advisable.
 Sec. 6. The commissioner of health shall employ the most efficient and practical means for the prevention and suppression of disease. and shall ad- minister the health laws and the sani- tary code. prepare rules and regula- tions for the council and, with the ap- prova1 of the council, appoint and re- move directors of bureaus, deputies, inspectors and other employes and fix their compensation. He shall have authority over health officials, and may tor cause, and with the consent of the council, remove any local health of fcial: he shall assist and advise local health officers in the performance of their duties, and may require the en- forcement of any law, regulation or ordinance relating to public health, and, with the health authorities of this and other states, secure informaHon and control of epidemics and condi- tions affecting or endangering the public health. and he shall compile such information and statistics and shall disseminate, among health au- thorities and the people of the state such information as may be of value to them. He shall prepare printed forms for reports and returns, and such instructions as may be necessary for the use of health officers. boards of health and registrars. When request ed by local health officers, he shall visit their Jurisdictions to investigate, consult and advise on any condition affecting public health: make, at least once each year, an inspection of all public hospitals, asylums, prisons, schools and other institutions and sub init a report of his investigations to the council with such recommendations sioner of health shall investigate com- plaints of nuisances and conditions af- fecting the security of life and health in any locality, and for that purpose ne, or any person authorized by him so to do, may enter and examine any ground, vehicle, apartment. building or place, and any person designated by him shall have the authority conferred by law upon constables. Said commei- sioner may employ such clerical and other assistants as are necessary. he may purchase necessary supplies and materials for his department.
 Sec. z. Said department shah main tain bureaus of administration, vital preventable diseases, labora- tories, sanitary engineering, foods, child welfare. publicity and medical licensure, with such other bureaus or divisions as the commissioner of health may from time to time deem necessary. When expedient a director shall be appointed to direct the work of any bureau, who shall be under the control of and responsible to the commissioner of health.
 Sec. 8. Cities, boroughs or towns may consolidate for the purpose of forming sanitary districts. Such con-