Pre-approval for certain public health measures approved

Lawmakers gave final approval Feb. 12 to a measure that puts constraints around community-wide directed health measures.

LB203, introduced last session by Omaha Sen. Kathleen Kauth, requires approval by a board of health before a community-wide directed health measure can take effect.

The bill defines a community-wide directed health measure as a public health action or intervention by a local public health department involving the total population of the department’s jurisdiction when there are no known epidemiological links.

LB203 requires a public health director to receive written approval from a majority of the publicly elected representatives who are appointed to the city-county health department prior to a measure being issued. Such approval will expire seven days after issuance unless renewed by a vote of the local health board, and continuing approval will be required every seven days thereafter.

Emergency meetings may be called to vote on such measures and virtual conferencing may be used to carry out the bill’s provisions.

Senators approved LB203 on a 35-12 vote.