S.B. No. 348 Summary

• Prohibits local boards of health from using threatening language like "will be" or "shall be" prosecuted in public notifications; only "may be" prosecuted is permitted during emergencies caused by epidemics, infectious diseases, or disasters.

• Allows local boards of health to reject Department of Health orders during public health emergencies by supermajority vote (at least two-thirds of board members) after collaborative consultation with the state department.

• Permits health care professionals serving on local boards of health to receive up to five continuing education credit hours per year (one credit hour per sixty minutes of service) toward their licensing requirements.

• Changes board of health composition to require representation of businesses within health districts; specifies physician, registered nurse, and licensed health care professional membership requirements varying by board size.

• Allows health district licensing councils to appoint board members when established, with the number of appointees based on board size (one for five-member boards, two for seven-member boards, three for larger boards).