The bill mandates that municipalities are responsible for conducting criminal background checks on individuals nominated for the positions of health officer or deputy health officer. This is a prerequisite step before any nomination can proceed. The background checks are to be requested from the department of safety to ascertain if there are any prior convictions that could disqualify the nominee or hinder their ability to perform their duties. The bill specifies that municipalities have the discretion to review background checks in line with their established hiring practices. Additionally, the appointments of health officers are subject to oversight by the commissioner of the department of health and human services or their designee.

The bill also includes an effective date, stating that the act shall take effect 60 days after its passage. The approval date of the bill is July 03, 2024, which means the law will become effective on September 01, 2024. There are insertions in the bill that grant municipalities discretion in reviewing background checks and establish oversight by the department of health and human services. There are no deletions indicated in the provided text of the bill.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 128:9
Version adopted by both bodies: 128:9
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 128:9