CHAPTER 578
An Act to provide for the operation of the local health department of the City of Alexandria.
[S 1344]
Approved March 26, 2023
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. § 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the local governing body of the City of Alexandria (the City) may enter into a contract with the State Board of Health (the Board) to provide local health services in the City. If the local governing body enters into a contract with the Board pursuant to this act, the local governing body shall not eliminate any service required by law or reduce the level of service below that required by law. In addition, the local governing body shall not eliminate or reduce the level of any service currently delivered in connection with the Commonwealth's program of medical assistance.
Any contract executed between the local governing body and the Board shall set forth the rights and responsibilities of the local governing body for the delivery of health services and shall require that the local director of health services be appointed by the City in accordance with local procedures, with the concurrence of the State Health Commissioner. The local director of health services shall be employed full time as an employee of the City and shall be responsible for directing all state-mandated public health programs. All employees of the local health department operated by the City shall be employees of the City.
The City shall operate the local health department, pursuant to the terms of the contract, with such local appropriations and any state funds as may be made available to it, pursuant to the general appropriation act. State funds for the operation of health services and facilities shall continue to be allocated to the City as if such services were provided in the City without such a contract.
The City shall maintain and submit such financial and statistical records as may be required by the Board.
Upon entering into a contract with the Board pursuant to this act, the City shall be the sole owner of all equipment and supplies, including all equipment and supplies used by the local health department at the time of execution of the contract, that were or are purchased for providing public health services, regardless of the source of the funds for such purchases.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any person who is transferred from state to local employment in accordance with a contract authorized by this act, and who is a member of the Virginia Retirement System at the time of the transfer, shall continue to be a member of the Virginia Retirement System during the period of local employment.
The power to contract conferred by this act shall not be deemed to confer any additional authority to impose fees for local health services upon the City.