The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 18 : Health

Chapter 011 : Local Health Officials

• § 602a. Duties of local health officers

  (a) A local health officer, within the local health officer’s jurisdiction, shall:

  (1) upon receipt of information regarding a condition that may be a public health hazard, conduct an investigation;

  (2) enforce the provisions of this title, the rules adopted, and permits issued pursuant to this title;

  (3) prevent, remove, or destroy any public health hazard or mitigate any significant public health risk in accordance with the provisions of this title;

  (4) in consultation with the Department, take the steps necessary to enforce all orders issued pursuant to chapter 3 of this title; and

  (5) have the authority to assist the Department of Public Safety in inspecting rental housing pursuant to 20 V.S.A. chapter 172, provided that if the local health officer inspects a rental property without an inspector from the Division, the officer shall issue an inspection report in compliance with 20 V.S.A § 2677(b)(2).

  (b) Upon discovery of violation or a public health hazard or public health risk that involves a public water system, a food or lodging establishment, or any other matter regulated by Department rule, the local health officer shall immediately notify the Division of Environmental Health. Upon discovery of any other violation, public health hazard, or public health risk, the local health officer shall notify the Division of Environmental Health within 48 hours of discovery of such violation or hazard and of any action taken by the officer. (Added 1985, No. 267 (Adj. Sess.), § 19; amended 2017, No. 188 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 2021, No. 181 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. July 1, 2022; 2023, No. 6, § 103, eff. July 1, 2023.)