(a) Except as provided by agreement between the Secretary and the local
governing body, and in addition to the powers and duties set forth
elsewhere, each health officer has the powers and duties set forth in
this section.
(b) A health officer may obtain samples of food and drugs for analysis.
(c) (1) The health officer for a county is the executive officer and
secretary of the county board of health.
(2) Except in Montgomery County, the health officer for a county shall
appoint the staff of the county health department.
(3) The health officer for a county shall have an office at an accessible
place in the county.
(4) (i) The health officer for a county shall enforce throughout the
county:
1. Under the direction of the Secretary, the State health laws and the
policies, rules, and regulations that the Secretary adopts; and
2. Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, under the
direction of the county board of health, the rules and regulations that
the county board of health adopts.
(ii) The health officer for a county shall enforce in each municipality or
special taxing district in the county the rules or regulations that the
county board of health adopts unless the municipality or district has a
charter provision or ordinance that:
1. Covers the same subject matter as the county rule or regulation;
2. Is at least as restrictive as the county rule or regulation; and
3. Includes provisions for enforcement.
(5) A health officer shall perform any investigation or other duty or
function directed by the Secretary or the county board of health and
submit appropriate reports to them.
(d) The Secretary may delegate duties, powers, and functions as provided in
this article to a health officer for a county or other county official
authorized to administer and enforce health and environmental laws.
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