HARRY HUGHES, Governor

1553

(B)  "COUNTY" DOES NOT INCLUDE BALTIMORE CITY.

(C)  "SECRETARY" MEANS THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
MENTAL HYGIENE.

(D)  "STATE" MEANS:

(1)  A STATE, POSSESSION, OR TERRITORY OF THE
UNITED STATES;

(2)  THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA; OR

(3)  THE COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO.
51A.

(A)  THERE IS A HEALTH OFFICER FOR EACH COUNTY.

(B) (1) THE HEALTH OFFICER FOR A COUNTY SHALL BE
NOMINATED BY THE COUNTY AND APPOINTED BY THE SECRETARY.

(2)  THE GOVERNING BODY OF EACH COUNTY SHALL
ESTABLISH BY ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION THE PROCESS BY WHICH
THE COUNTY NOMINATES AN INDIVIDUAL FOR HEALTH OFFICER.

(3)  IF THE SECRETARY FINDS THAT A NOMINEE MEETS
THE QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS
SECTION, THE SECRETARY SHALL APPOINT THE NOMINEE AS HEALTH
OFFICER.

(4)  IF THE SECRETARY FINDS THAT THE NOMINEE DOES
NOT MEET THE QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION (C) OF
THIS SECTION, THE SECRETARY SHALL REJECT THE NOMINATION, AND
THE COUNTY SHALL PROVIDE THE SECRETARY WITH ANOTHER
NOMINATION.

(C)(1) THE HEALTH OFFICER FOR EACH COUNTY, EXCEPT
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, SHALL:

(C)  THE HEALTH OFFICER FOR EACH COUNTY;

(I) HAVE A MASTER'S DEGREE IN PUBLIC
HEALTH;

(II) HAVE WORKED FOR AT LEAST 2 YEARS IN
THE FIELD OF PUBLIC HEALTH;

(I) 1. HAVE (1) (I) SHALL HAVE A MASTER'S
DEGREE IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND HAVE WORKED FOR AT LEAST 2 YEARS
IN THE FIELD OF PUBLIC HEALTH; OR

2. HAVE (II) SHALL HAVE WORKED FOR
AT LEAST 5 YEARS IN THE FIELD OF PUBLIC HEALTH;

(III) (II) (2) SHALL HAVE ANY OTHER
QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING IN THE FIELD OF PUBLIC HEALTH
THAT THE SECRETARY ESTABLISHES BY RULE OR REGULATION; AND