SB 617

Abstract

Commissioner of Health and local health director qualifications; local variances. Requires the Commissioner ofHealth to possess a Doctor of Public Health degree, a Master of PublicHealth degree, or a doctoral degree in the area of public healthin addition to the current requirement that the Commissioner of Healthbe a physician licensed to practice medicine in the Commonwealthwith certification from the American Board of Preventive Medicineor a recognized board in a primary care specialty as approved bythe American Board of Medical Specialties. The bill allows local health directors to possess a Doctor of Public Health degree, a Masterof Public Health degree, or a doctoral degree in the area of publichealth as an alternative to the current requirement that local health directors be physicians licensed to practice medicine in the Commonwealth. Additionally, the bill allows the Commissioner to grant a varianceto a state law or regulation of the Board when the Commissioner determinesthat, upon review of an application from a county, city, or town,(i) the applicant for such variance has demonstrated that the implementationof a regulation would impose a substantial financial or programmatichardship and (ii) the variance would not adversely affect the safetyand well-being of residents of the county, city, or town or the Commonwealth.