MD SB971

County health officers may hire staff without state approval from the Maryland Department of Health or Department of Budget and Management when positions are fully funded by local or grant funding

Health officers may proceed with contracts if the Secretary of Health fails to respond to approval requests within 7 days

Maryland Department of Health must notify county health officers of electronic health records system procurements and offer counties the opportunity to participate

County health officers may serve on hospital boards without compensation

If the Department creates a health care workforce data clearinghouse, it must include data on public health workforce staff from the Public Health Services Administration, local health departments, and the Department of the Environment