68-49-103 - Duties of department. - Tennessee Statutes

68-49-103. Duties of department.

(a)  The department of health has the following duties, among others, in order to care for persons suffering from epilepsy and other seizure disorders:

     (1)  Develop standards for determining eligibility for care and treatment under this program, with the advice of the epilepsy advisory committee;

     (2)  Assist in the development and expansion of programs for the care and treatment of persons suffering from epilepsy and other seizure disorders;

     (3)  Extend financial assistance to persons suffering from epilepsy and other seizure disorders in obtaining the medical, nursing, pharmaceutical, and technical services necessary in caring for such diseases;

     (4)  Institute and carry on an educational program among physicians, hospitals, public health departments, schools, police departments and the public concerning epilepsy and other seizure disorders, including the dissemination of information and the conducting of educational programs concerning the recognition, emergency care, and continuing treatment of persons suffering from these diseases;

     (5)  Promulgate all rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter; and

     (6)  Employ personnel as positions are funded to implement the provisions of this chapter.

(b)  Subject to such additional funds as may be made available by the general assembly in the general appropriations act, the chronic disease office of the department shall provide community epilepsy education and needed support services to the rural areas of Tennessee. The department may contract with the Epilepsy Foundation of America to provide such services.

[Acts 1978, ch. 833, § 3; T.C.A., § 53-6603; Acts 1989, ch. 510, § 1; T.C.A., § 68-49-103.]