NC S551

Abolishes all Division of Public Health programs except State Lab, Vital Records, Medical Examiner, and Public Health Emergency Response, which remain under the State Health Director.

Creates a new State Public Health Authority governed by a 13-member board (4 members appointed by President Pro Tempore, 4 by Speaker of the House, 4 by Governor, plus Secretary of Health and Human Services) to oversee public health operations.

Establishes an Institute for Public Health Improvement under the Authority with four regional public health authorities located in Asheville, Kannapolis, Greenville, and Wilmington to serve designated counties across the state.

Transfers all functions and powers of the Division of Environmental Health from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to the Division of Public Health in the Department of Health and Human Services.

Requires counties to be served by accredited health departments or regional public health authorities to receive state and federal public health funding, effective July 1, 2011.