NC S417

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

Creates the North Carolina Public Health Authority as a body corporate governed by a 13-member board (4 members appointed by Senate President Pro Tempore, 4 by House Speaker, 4 by Governor, plus Secretary of Health and Human Services as ex officio member).

Establishes the Institute for Public Health Improvement under the Authority to administer State and federal public health appropriations through four regional public health authorities located in Asheville, Kannapolis, Greenville, and Wilmington, serving designated geographic regions of the state.

Transfers all functions 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 only health departments accredited by the Local Health Department Accreditation Board or operating as regional public health authorities to receive State and federal pass-through grant funds, effective July 1, 2013.