# Title 33 — State Department of Health

## Article 33-01 — General Administration

## Chapter 33-01-01 — Organization of Department

### § 33-01-01-01. Organization and functions of state department of health.

1. Organization of department.
a. History. The territorial board of health for Dakota Territory came into being in 1885 with
the responsibilities to make and enforce "all needful rules and regulations for the
prevention and cure, and to prevent the spread of any contagious, infectious, or malarial
disease among persons and domestic animals". In 1889, when Dakota Territory was
divided, a board of health was established. In 1923, the state department of health was
created, consisting of a public health advisory council, a state health officer, directors of
divisions, and other employees. The public health laboratory, connected with the
University of North Dakota since its inception in 1907, was placed under the state health
department in 1933. In 1947, the legislative assembly reorganized the department,
making necessary changes to provide for hospital registration and licensure. The
reorganization changed the name of the advisory council to the state health council,
giving it policymaking responsibility and increasing its membership.
In 1987, the state laboratories department was consolidated with the state health
department forming the state department of health and consolidated laboratories. In
1995, the agency name was changed to state department of health.
b. Sections and divisions. The department consists of the following sections and divisions:
Administrative Support
Accounting
Education Technology
Human Resources
Vital Records
Community Health Section
Cancer Prevention and Control Division
Chronic Disease Division
Family Health Division
Injury Prevention and Control Division
Nutrition and Physical Activity Division
Emergency Preparedness and Response Section
Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Division
Hospital Preparedness
Public Health Preparedness
Environmental Health Section
Air Quality Division
Laboratory Services

Municipal Facilities Division
Waste Management Division
Water Quality Division
Health Resources Section
Food and Lodging Division
Health Facilities Division
Life Safety and Construction Division
Medical Services Section
Disease Control Division
Forensic Examiner
c. Health officer. The health officer is appointed by the governor to hold office for four years.
The health officer must have had postgraduate training or experience in public health
administration. If the governor does not appoint as state health officer a physician
licensed in this state, the governor shall appoint at least three licensed physicians
recommended by the state medical association to serve as an advisory committee to the
state health officer. The health officer is responsible for the exercise of powers and duties
prescribed to the health officer under the law.
d. Legal counsel. The attorney general of North Dakota is the ex officio attorney for the
department. However, by statute, the attorney general may, and has chosen to, appoint
legal counsel to act as chief legal adviser for the department.
2. Functions of department sections.
a. Administrative support section. This section provides support services to the divisions of
the department and assists in coordinating department activities. More specifically, the
divisions in this section provide services in the areas of personnel administration, fiscal
management, health statistics, and certification of vital events.
b. Community health section. The community health section is responsible for coordination
of public health education and intervention activities, including such areas as wellness
promotion and health risk reduction, promotion of optimal nutrition, reduction in tobacco
use, injury prevention, and improvements in dental health. Many of the services provided
by this section are delivered through district, county, or city health units.
c. Emergency preparedness and response section. The emergency preparedness and
response section is responsible for enhancing the preparedness and response
capabilities of the state's public health and private medical providers. It works to create
and promote a state of readiness and response to protect the health of North Dakotans
during catastrophic events, large-scale disasters and emergencies.
The administration of the emergency medical services system, licensing of ambulance
services, and certifying of emergency medical technicians are also responsibilities of this
section.
d. Environmental health section. The goal of this section is to assure that the quality of life
in the state will not be diminished below acceptable standards as a result of degradation
of the air, water, and physical environment.
Primary functions and responsibilities include coordinating communications with the
environmental protection agency regarding state programs and related environmental
issues, monitoring and enforcing compliance with state and federal environmental laws,
and carrying out environmental chemistry analyses.

Priorities for the section are to continue to implement strategies for addressing
environmental impacts and problems associated with new developments; administering a
state hazardous waste management program; administering a water quality management
program for cleaning up targeted lakes and rivers, and protecting ground water and
drinking water aquifers; and controlling air, radiation, noise, and solid waste pollution.
e. Health resources section. This section is responsible for licensing inpatient health care
facilities, home health agencies, electrologists, and electronic hair removal technicians.
The section conducts certification surveys of all facilities and programs providing service
to persons eligible under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
f. Medical services section. The section is responsible for disease prevention, surveillance,
testing and identification, as well as epidemiologic investigation and forensic
examinations.
3. Inquiries. General inquiries regarding the state department of health should be addressed to:
(Section or Division Name)
North Dakota State Department of Health - Department 301
600 East Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58505-0200
History: Amended effective April 1, 1984; December 1, 1985; October 1, 1989; October 1, 1991;
February 1, 1993; April 1, 1994; October 1, 1995; August 1, 1998; April 1, 2002; May 1, 2004;
October 1, 2013.
General Authority: NDCC 28-32-02.1
Law Implemented: NDCC 28-32-02.1
