BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

HEALTH

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS


HEALTH DEPARTMENT

In 1880, the General Assembly authorized the State Board of Health to organize local boards of health or advisory committees in every city, village, and legislative district (Chapter 438, Acts of 1880). Not until 1886, however, were County responsibilities assigned. In that year, the Board of County Commissioners was designated as the Baltimore County Board of Health (Chapter 22, Acts of 1886). In 1914, it was placed under control of the State Department of Health, which had organized in 1910 (Chapter 560, Acts of 1910; Chapter 742, Acts of 1914). Later, under provisions of the "County Health Law" of 1922, County health duties increased, opening the way for a full-time health officer in each county (Chapter 116, Acts of 1922).

Under direction of the Health Officer, the Health Department provides public health services, and administers and enforces State and local health laws and regulations within the County. Programs meet the public health needs of the community and provide services not offered by the private sector (Code Health-General Article, secs. 3-101 through 3-306).

Appointed by the Secretary of Health, the Health Officer is the executive officer and secretary of the County Board of Health (Code Health-General Article, secs. 3-301 through 3-310).

Today, the Health Department oversees six bureaus: Administrative Support Services; Behavioral Health; Clinical Services; Community Health Services; Health Care Access; and Prevention, Protection, and Preparedness. The Department also is aided by the Board of Health and the Child Fatality Review Team.

BUREAU OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
The Bureau of Behavioral Health formed from the merger of the Mental Health Bureau with the Substance Abuse Bureau in July 2009. The Bureau serves as the Core Services Agency for the County.

BUREAU OF CLINICAL SERVICES
The Bureau of Clinical Services began as the Child, Adolescent and Reproductive Health Bureau and reformed under its present name in July 2009.

BUREAU OF COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES
Formerly the Long-Term Care Bureau, the Bureau of Community Health Services organized under its present name in July 2009.

BUREAU OF HEALTH CARE ACCESS
The Bureau of Health Care Access was formerly the Medical Social Work Bureau. It adopted its current name in July 2009.

BUREAU OF PREVENTION, PROTECTION, & PREPAREDNESS
The Bureau of Prevention, Protection, and Preparedness originated as the Disease Control Bureau. In July 2009, it reorganized under its present name.

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