There is a Department of Health, as established in <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Charter" data-path="VII|§54">Article VII, § 54 of the City Charter</cite>.
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The head of the Department is the Commissioner of Health, who is appointed as provided in <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Charter" data-path="VII|§55">Article VII, § 55 of the City Charter</cite>.
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The Commissioner may appoint deputies, assistants, professional employees, and other officers and employees as provided in the Ordinance of Estimates.
While on duty, all officers and employees of the Department must have and, on request, display official identification denoting their employment.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 11, §3
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There is a Suicide Prevention Coordinator within the Health Department.
The Suicide Prevention Coordinator shall:collaborate with system partners to support behavioral health system management; and
work to prevent suicides and mental health crises.
The Suicide Prevention Coordinator is authorized to:reach out to community organizations, groups and agencies to inform them about available resources regarding suicide prevention;
coordinate and provide suicide prevention trainings and trainings regarding the relationship between trauma and suicide as needed;
carry out new public awareness prevention strategies;
distribute resource materials as appropriate;
generally collaborate with:the State Behavioral Health Administration’s Office of Suicide Prevention;
the Baltimore Police Department;
the Fire Department;
local emergency departments;
Baltimore Crisis Response;
the Baltimore City Public School System;
academic partners;
people with mental health conditions; and
other local agencies and services;
collaborate with the Health Department’s Child Fatality Review team and the Health Department’s Maternal Mortality Review team to develop and implement prevention plans;
collaborate with emergency departments, pediatricians, primary care physicians, the Baltimore City Public School System, and colleges and universities to encourage screening for suicidality and to establish continuity of care for patients at risk of suicide;
develop and coordinate a data collection and analysis plan to determine trends regarding suicides and suicide attempts;
develop a plan of action to reduce suicides in Baltimore City;
provide consultations to mental health, school, juvenile, and social services professionals;
represent the Health Department in interagency meetings and committees;
support system accountability to ensure that services are responsive to the behavioral health needs of Baltimore City residents;
work with diverse populations in Baltimore City to actively decrease stigma associated with mental health; and
fulfill other related duties as assigned by the Health Commissioner.
The Health Commissioner may elect to contract with the local behavioral health authority to fill the Suicide Prevention Coordinator position.
Ord. 21-063
This section was enacted by Ord. 21-063, effective July 1, 2022.
Under <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Charter" data-path="VII|§56">Article VII, § 56 of the City Charter</cite>, the Commissioner has the general care of and responsibility for:
enforcing all laws for the preservation of the health of the inhabitants of the City;
the study and prevention of disease, epidemics, and nuisances affecting public health; and
establishing and implementing policies for:treating and preventing physical and mental illnesses; and
educating the public about environmental, physical, and mental health.
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In addition to any duties set forth elsewhere, the Commissioner has the following duties:
to observe and inspect areas in and near the City that might be health hazards;
to enforce all laws relating to health and the correction of health hazards;
in the absence of a law needed to correct a health hazard, to report and recommend to the Mayor any extraordinary action needed;
to investigate and report all cases of communicable diseases and take immediate action to stop their spread;
to remove and abate nuisances; and
to report to and advise the Mayor and other City authorities on all matters relating to the preservation of the health of the people.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 11, §1(exc. last cl.)
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Subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the <cite data-path="|general">City General Provisions Article</cite>, the Commissioner may adopt and enforce rules and regulations to carry out <cite data-path="|health">this article</cite>.
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Text Conformed 03/10/21
By authority of Ordinance 20-431, Section 5, the Director of Legislative Reference, in consultation with the Law Department, has conformed this section to refer expressly to and reflect the requirements of the recently-enacted Administrative Procedure Act that, effective January 15, 2021, governs the proposal, adoption, and publication of administrative rules and regulations.
The Commissioner may, at all reasonable times, enter any structure or premises within the City:whenever the Commissioner has reason to believe that a health hazard, nuisance, or violation of <cite data-path="|health">this article</cite> exists in or is emanating from that structure or premises;
to inspect any property, facilities, equipment, operations, animals, records, or other things required or authorized by <cite data-path="|health">this article</cite> to be inspected; or
otherwise as necessary or appropriate to enforce <cite data-path="|health">this article</cite>.
In this subsection, “dwelling” has the meaning stated in <cite data-path="|health|§5-301|(b)">§ 5-301(b) of this article</cite>.
The entry and inspection of a dwelling must be made in accordance with § 104.6 {“Right of entry”} of the Baltimore City <cite data-path="|building-codes|II">Building Code</cite>.
A search warrant must be obtained in accordance with § 104.6 {“Right of entry”} of the Baltimore City <cite data-path="|building-codes|II">Building Code</cite>, except as otherwise specified in that section.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 11, §26(e), inter alia, art. 11, §105, art. 19, §9
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Ord. 02-475
Ord. 13-093