As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions apply:

1. 1. “Academic institution” means an institution of higher education in the state which grants degrees in public health or another health-related field and is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency as determined by the United States secretary of education. For purposes of this definition, “accredited” means a certification of the quality of an institution of higher education.
2. 2. “Department” means the department of health and human services.
3. 3. “Designated local public health agency” means an entity that is either governed by or contractually responsible to a local board of health and designated by the local board.
4. 4. “Governmental public health system” means local boards of health, the council on health and human services, designated local public health agencies, the state hygienic laboratory, and the department.
5. 5. “Local board of health” means the same as defined in section 137.102.
6. 6. “Organizational capacity” means the governmental public health infrastructure that must be in place in order to deliver public health services.
7. 7. “Public health system” means all public, private, and voluntary entities that contribute to the delivery of public health services within a jurisdiction.

2009 Acts, ch 182, §116, 126; 2016 Acts, ch 1026, §1; 2017 Acts, ch 148, §25; 2019 Acts, ch 85, §72; 2023 Acts, ch 19, §160