SB1437: Surgeon General, State; established.

SENATE BILL NO. 1437
Offered January 16, 2009
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 32.1-22.1, relating to establishing a State Surgeon General.
Patron-- Miller, Y.B.

Referred to Committee on Education and Health

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 32.1-22.1 as follows:

32.1-22.1. State Surgeon General; duties.

A. There shall be a State Surgeon General appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by each house of the General Assembly. The Surgeon General shall be a physician licensed to practice medicine in the Commonwealth and shall be certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine or a recognized board in a primary care specialty as approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties and experienced in public health.

B. The Surgeon General shall be appointed for a term coincident with that of the Governor and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

C. The duties of the Surgeon General shall include:

1. Protecting and advancing the health of the citizens of Virginia through educating the public, advocating for effective disease prevention and health promotion programs and activities, and providing a highly recognized symbol of the Commonwealth's commitment to protecting and improving the public's health;

2. Articulating scientifically based health policy analysis and advice to the Governor and the Secretary of Health and Human Resources on the full range of critical public health, medical, and health system issues facing the Commonwealth;

3. Providing leadership in promoting special Departmental health initiatives;

4. Serving as principal liaison between the Commonwealth and the federal government on health care issues;

5. Promoting research activities in the Commonwealth including partnerships with major universities and through National Institutes of Health initiatives; and

6. Serving as the point of contact with the state medical schools to assist in assessing state funding needs and requirements and developing standards for quality.