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H.B. 313 Enrolled

             1     

LOCAL HEALTH REGULATION
             2      2012 GENERAL SESSION
             3      STATE OF UTAH
             4      Chief Sponsor: Johnny Anderson
             5      Senate Sponsor: John L. Valentine
             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies the Utah Health Code and the Local Health Department Act by
             10      amending powers of local health departments and local health department boards to
             11      establish certain standards and regulations.
             12      Highlighted Provisions:
             13          This bill:
             14          .    prohibits a local health department from establishing standards or regulations that
             15      are more stringent than those established by federal law, state statute, or Department
             16      of Health rules, unless the local health department makes a written finding that
             17      federal and state laws are not adequate to protect public health;
             18          .    prohibits a local health department board from establishing standards and
             19      regulations more stringent than those established by federal law, state statute, or
             20      Department of Health rules, unless the local health department board makes a
             21      written finding that federal and state laws are not adequate to protect public health
             22      of the state;
             23          .    provides that the restrictions against more stringent regulations do not apply to
             24      emergency rulemaking or to items not regulated by federal law, state statute, or
             25      administrative rules; and
             26          .    makes technical changes.
             27      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             28          None
             29      Other Special Clauses:

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             30          None
             31      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             32      AMENDS:
             33          26-1-23, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1981, Chapter 126
             34          26A-1-121, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             35     
             36      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             37          Section 1. Section 26-1-23 is amended to read:
             38           26-1-23. Regulations for local health departments prescribed by department --
             39      Local standards not more stringent than federal or state standards -- Exceptions for
             40      written findings.
             41          [The] (1) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking
             42      Act, the department may prescribe by rule reasonable requirements not inconsistent with law
             43      for a local health [departments] department as defined in Section 26A-1-102 .
             44          (2) Except as provided in Subsection (3), or where specifically allowed by federal law
             45      or state statute, a local health department, as defined in Section 26A-1-102 , may not establish
             46      standards or regulations that are more stringent than those established by federal law, state
             47      statute, or administrative rule adopted in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah
             48      Administrative Rulemaking Act.
             49          (3) (a) The local health department may make standards and regulations more stringent
             50      than corresponding federal law, state statute, or state administrative rules, only if the local
             51      health department makes a written finding after public comment and hearing and based on
             52      evidence in the record, that corresponding federal laws, state statutes, or state administrative
             53      rules are not adequate to protect public health of the state.
             54          (b) The findings shall address the public health information and studies contained in
             55      the record, which form the basis for the local health department's conclusion.
             56          (4) Nothing in the provisions of Subsection (2) or (3), shall limit the ability of a local
             57      health department to make standards and regulations in accordance with Subsection

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             58      26A-1-121 (1)(a) for:
             59          (a) emergency rules made in accordance with Section 63G-3-304 ; or
             60          (b) items not regulated under federal law, state statute, or state administrative rule.
             61          Section 2. Section 26A-1-121 is amended to read:
             62           26A-1-121. Standards and regulations adopted by local board -- Local standards
             63      not more stringent than federal or state standards -- Exceptions for written findings --
             64      Administrative and judicial review of actions.
             65          (1) (a) The board may make standards and regulations:
             66          (i) not in conflict with rules of the Departments of Health and Environmental Quality;
             67      and
             68          (ii) necessary for the promotion of public health, environmental health quality, injury
             69      control, and the prevention of outbreaks and spread of communicable and infectious diseases.
             70          (b) The standards and regulations under Subsection (1)(a):
             71          (i) supersede existing local standards, regulations, and ordinances pertaining to similar
             72      subject matter[.]; and
             73          (ii) except as provided under Subsection (1)(c) and except where specifically allowed
             74      by federal law or state statute, may not be more stringent than those established by federal law,
             75      state statute, or administrative rules adopted by the Utah Department of Health in accordance
             76      with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
             77          (c) (i) The board may make standards and regulations more stringent than
             78      corresponding federal law, state statute, or state administrative rules for the purposes described
             79      in Subsection (1)(a), only if the board makes a written finding after public comment and
             80      hearing and based on evidence in the record, that corresponding federal laws, state statutes, or
             81      state administrative rules are not adequate to protect public health and the environment of the
             82      state.
             83          (ii) The findings shall address the public health information and studies contained in
             84      the record, which form the basis for the board's conclusion.
             85          [(c)] (d) The board shall provide public hearings prior to the adoption of any regulation

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             86      or standard. Notice of any public hearing shall be published at least twice throughout the
             87      county or counties served by the local health department. The publication may be in one or
             88      more newspapers, [so long as] if the notice is provided in accordance with this Subsection
             89      (1)[(c)](d).
             90          [(d)] (e) The hearings may be conducted by the board at a regular or special meeting, or
             91      the board may appoint hearing officers who may conduct hearings in the name of the board at a
             92      designated time and place.
             93          [(e)] (f) A record or summary of the proceedings of [any] a hearing shall be taken and
             94      filed with the board.
             95          (2) (a) [Any] A person aggrieved by [any] an action or inaction of the local health
             96      department relating to the public health shall have an opportunity for a hearing with the local
             97      health officer or a designated representative of the local health department. The board shall
             98      grant a subsequent hearing to the person upon [his] the person's written request [in writing].
             99          (b) In [any] an adjudicative hearing, a member of the board or the hearing officer may
             100      administer oaths, examine witnesses, and issue notice of the hearings or subpoenas in the name
             101      of the board requiring the testimony of witnesses and the production of evidence relevant to
             102      [any] a matter in the hearing. [A] The local health department shall make a written record
             103      [shall be made] of the hearing, including findings of facts and conclusions of law.
             104          (c) Judicial review of a final determination of the local board may be secured by [any]
             105      a person adversely affected by the final determination, or by the Departments of Health or
             106      Environmental Quality, by filing a petition in the district court within 30 days after receipt of
             107      notice of the board's final determination.
             108          (d) The petition shall be served upon the secretary of the board and shall state the
             109      grounds upon which review is sought.
             110          (e) The [board in its] board's answer shall certify and file with the court all documents
             111      and papers and a transcript of all testimony taken in the matter together with [its] the board's
             112      findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order.
             113          (f) The appellant and the board are parties to the appeal.

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             114          (g) The Departments of Health and Environmental Quality may become a party by
             115      intervention as in a civil action upon showing cause.
             116          (h) A further appeal may be taken to the Court of Appeals under Section 78A-4-103 .
             117          (3) Nothing in the provisions of Subsection (1)(b)(ii) or (c), shall limit the ability of a
             118      local health department board to make standards and regulations in accordance with Subsection
             119      (1)(a) for:
             120          (a) emergency rules made in accordance with Section 63G-3-304 ; or
             121          (b) items not regulated under federal law, state statute, or state administrative rule.

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