Section 125:9 Duties. - New Hampshire Statutes

The commissioner of the department of health and human services shall:
   I. Take cognizance of the interests of health and life among the people.
   II. Make investigations and inquiries concerning the causes of epidemics and other diseases, the sources of morbidity and mortality, and the effects of localities, employments, conditions, circumstances, and the environment on the public health. Investigations authorized under this paragraph shall also include an extended rabies surveillance effort which shall be conducted with assistance from the department of agriculture, markets, and food and the fish and game department.
   III. Advise and assist town health officers in making investigations into sanitary matters in their towns.
   IV. Take measures to communicate such information as necessary on the improvement and preservation of health.
   V. Recommend to the director of motor vehicles the procedures necessary under RSA 125:9-a.
   VI. Recognize the public health aspects relating to drugs and food under RSA 125:10.
   VII. Verify sanitary conditions of public buildings under RSA 125:11.
   VIII. Equip and maintain a first-aid room under RSA 125:13-a.
   IX. Develop or designate a statewide program for poison information and treatment under RSA 126-A:49.
   X. Investigate complaints of poor indoor air quality and conduct inspections of buildings and dwellings, upon request, for the presence of radon or other health hazards present in indoor air; and provide education, technical consultation, and recommendations for abatement of such health hazards in conjunction with the University of New Hampshire cooperative extension.
   XI. Consult with and assist the executive director, department of fish and game in the review and approval of off highway recreational vehicle safety training courses.
   XII. Nominate a person duly qualified by training and experience for appointment by the governor and council to serve as the state physician epidemiologist who shall receive a salary in accordance with RSA 94:1-a. Upon appointment, the physician epidemiologist shall serve for a term of 4 years and until a successor is appointed. Any vacancy shall be filled for the full 4-year term in the same manner as the original appointment. The provisions of RSA 21:33-a shall not apply to appointments made under this paragraph.
   XIII. Nominate a person duly qualified by training and experience for appointment by the governor and council to serve as the state senior physician/dentist who shall receive a salary in accordance with RSA 94:1-a. Upon appointment, the senior physician/dentist shall serve for a term of 4 years and until a successor is appointed. Any vacancy shall be filled for the full 4-year term in the same manner as the original appointment. The provisions of RSA 21:33-a shall not apply to appointments made under this paragraph.
   XIV. [Repealed.]

Source. 1881, 64:6. PS 107:3. PL 125:5. RL 147:5. RSA 125:9. 1983, 291:1, I. 1986, 198:2. 1988, 118:1; 264:9. 1992, 206:2. 1994, 284:2; 403:3. 1995, 130:4; 134:23; 310:7, 182, 197. 2003, 319:97, II, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.