Subd. 1. General.

A community health board has the powers and duties of a board of health prescribed in sections 145A.03, 145A.04, 145A.07, and 145A.08, as well as the general responsibility for development and maintenance of an integrated system of community health services as prescribed in sections 145A.09 to 145A.131.

Subd. 2. Preemption.

1. (a) Not later than 365 days after the formation of a community health board, any other board of health within the community health service area for which the plan has been prepared must cease operation, except as authorized in a joint powers agreement under section 145A.03, subdivision 2, or delegation agreement under section 145A.07, subdivision 2, or as otherwise allowed by this subdivision.
2. (b) This subdivision does not preempt or otherwise change the powers and duties of any city or county eligible for a local public health grant under section 145A.09.
3. (c) This subdivision does not preempt the authority to operate a community health services program of any city of the first or second class operating an existing program of community health services located within a county with a population of 300,000 or more persons until the city council takes action to allow the county to preempt the city's powers and duties.

Subd. 3. Medical consultant.

The community health board must appoint, employ, or contract with a medical consultant to ensure appropriate medical advice and direction for the board of health and assist the board and its staff in the coordination of community health services with local medical care and other health services.

Subd. 4. Employees.

Persons employed by a county, city, or the state whose functions and duties are assumed by a community health board shall become employees of the board without loss in benefits, salaries, or rights. Failure to comply with this subdivision does not affect eligibility under section 145A.09.

Subd. 5.

[Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 8 s 32]

Subd. 5a. Duties.

1. (a) Consistent with the guidelines and standards established under section 145A.12, and with input from the community, the community health board shall:

   1. (1) establish local public health priorities based on an assessment of community health needs and assets; and

   2. (2) determine the mechanisms by which the community health board will address the local public health priorities established under clause (1) and achieve the statewide outcomes established under sections 145.8821 and 145A.12, subdivision 7, within the limits of available funding. In determining the mechanisms to address local public health priorities and achieve statewide outcomes, the community health board shall seek public input or consider the recommendations of the community health advisory committee and the following essential public health services:

      1. (i) monitor health status to identify community health problems;
      2. (ii) diagnose and investigate problems and health hazards in the community;
      3. (iii) inform, educate, and empower people about health issues;
      4. (iv) mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problems;
      5. (v) develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts;
      6. (vi) enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety;
      7. (vii) link people to needed personal health care services;
      8. (viii) ensure a competent public health and personal health care workforce;
      9. (ix) evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services; and
      10. (x) research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems.
2. (b) By February 1, 2005, and every five years thereafter, each community health board that receives a local public health grant under section 145A.131 shall notify the commissioner in writing of the statewide outcomes established under sections 145.8821 and 145A.12, subdivision 7 , that the board will address and the local priorities established under paragraph (a) that the board will address.

3. (c) Each community health board receiving a local public health grant under section

   145A.131 must submit an annual report to the commissioner documenting progress toward the achievement of statewide outcomes established under sections 145.8821 and 145A.12, subdivision 7 , and the local public health priorities established under paragraph (a), using reporting standards and procedures established by the commissioner and in compliance with all applicable federal requirements. If a community health board has identified additional local priorities for use of the local public health grant since the last notification of outcomes and priorities under paragraph

   (b), the community health board shall notify the commissioner of the additional local public health priorities in the annual report.

Subd. 6.

[Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 8 s 32]

Subd. 7. Equal access to services.

The community health board must ensure that community health services are accessible to all persons on the basis of need. No one shall be denied services because of race, color, sex, age, language, religion, nationality, inability to pay, political persuasion, or place of residence.

Subd. 8.

[Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 8 s 32]

Subd. 9. Recommended legislation.

The community health board may recommend local ordinances pertaining to community health services to any county board or city council within its jurisdiction and advise the commissioner on matters relating to public health that require assistance from the state, or that may be of more than local interest.

Subd. 10. State and local advisory committees.

1. (a) A State Community Health Advisory Committee is established to advise, consult with, and make recommendations to the commissioner on the development, maintenance, funding, and evaluation of community health services. Each community health board may appoint a member to serve on the committee. The committee must meet at least quarterly, and special meetings may be called by the committee chair or a majority of the members. Members or their alternates may be reimbursed for travel and other necessary expenses while engaged in their official duties. Notwithstanding section 15.059, the State Community Health Advisory Committee does not expire.
2. (b) The city councils or county boards that have established or are members of a community health board may appoint a community health advisory committee to advise, consult with, and make recommendations to the community health board on the duties under subdivision 5a.