FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 321

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES BAKER (25), LOW (39), ROORDA, YAEGER, LAMPE, MEADOWS, SWINGER, LeVOTA, SCHAAF, OXFORD, TALBOY AND KUESSNER (Co-sponsors).

                  Read 1st time January 10, 2007 and copies ordered printed.

D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

1051L.01I

AN ACT

To amend chapter 192, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to the Missouri surgeon general.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

            Section A. Chapter 192, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 192.1100, to read as follows:

            192.1100. 1. There is hereby established within the department of health and senior services the position of the Missouri surgeon general. The Missouri surgeon general shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate, and shall be a physician of good standing in the community who is licensed under chapter 334, RSMo, with a masters degree in public health or a masters degree in health management training, or commensurate experience in public policy.

            2. The duties of the Missouri surgeon general shall include but not be limited to the following:

            (1) Serving as chairperson of the state board of health;

            (2) Advise the director of the department of health and senior services on developing strategies to improve the following health indicators:

            (a) Tobacco use;

            (b) Incidence of obesity;

            (c) Health disparities;

            (d) Hypertension;

            (e) Nutrition;

            (f) Immunizations;

            (g) Disease and injury prevalence;

            (h) Substance abuse prevalence;

            (i) Workplace injuries; and

            (j) Disability prevention;

            (3) Providing health information through public appearances at Missouri schools, places of employment, and other private and public institutions and organizations upon request;

            (4) Attendance at health promotion events;

            (5) Creation of an Internet web site to promote healthy lifestyles for Missourians;

            (6) Public health promotion, health literacy, health promotion, and prevention of disease efforts; and

            (7) An examination of Missouri's participation in Health People 2010.

            3. The Missouri surgeon general shall hold office for a term of four years.

            4. The Missouri surgeon general shall submit an annual report to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president pro tempore of the senate and the governor before January thirty-first of each year. The surgeon general's report shall include information on the current overall health of the citizens of Missouri and any recommendations for improvements.

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