HOUSE BILL NO. 5125

October 17, 2019, Introduced by Reps. Paquette, Miller, Griffin, Yaroch, Gay-Dagnogo, Brann, LaGrand, Hoadley, Haadsma, Calley and Markkanen and referred to the Committee on Health Policy.

A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled

"Public health code,"

by amending section 2221 (MCL 333.2221).

the people of the state of michigan enact:

Sec. 2221. (1) Pursuant to section 51 of article 4 IV of the state constitution of 1963, the department shall continually and diligently endeavor to prevent disease, prolong life, and promote the public health through organized programs, including the prevention and control of environmental health hazards; prevention and control of diseases; prevention and control of health problems of particularly vulnerable population groups; development of health care facilities and agencies and health services delivery systems; and regulation of health care facilities and agencies and health services delivery systems to the extent provided by law.

(2) The department shall:

(a) Have general supervision of the interests of the health and life of the people of this state.

(b) Implement and enforce laws for which responsibility is vested in the department.

(c) Collect and utilize vital and health statistics and provide for epidemiological and other research studies for the purpose of protecting the public health.

(d) Make investigations and inquiries as to all of the following:

(i) The causes of disease and especially of epidemics.

(ii) The causes of morbidity and mortality.

(iii) The causes, prevention, and control of environmental health hazards, nuisances, and sources of illness.

(e) Plan, implement, and evaluate health education by the provision of providing expert technical assistance and financial support.

(f) Take appropriate affirmative action to promote equal employment opportunity within the department and local health departments and to promote equal access to governmental financed health services to all individuals in the this state who are in need of service.

(g) Have powers necessary or appropriate to perform the duties and exercise the powers given by law to the department and which that are not otherwise prohibited by law.

(h) Plan, implement, and evaluate nutrition services by the provision of providing expert technical assistance and financial support.

(3) If the department, after making an investigation and inquiry under subsection (2), determines that the aerial spraying of a pesticide is necessary to prevent and control a disease or environmental health hazard, the department shall notify the public and the local health department of each area affected by the aerial spraying and provide information on a procedure to opt out if a procedure is available. The notice required under this subsection must be provided at least 5 business days before the aerial spraying is scheduled to occur.