(a) The health officer for a county shall be nominated by the county and appointed by the Secretary. (b) (1) The governing body of each county shall establish, by ordinance or resolution, the process by which the county nominates an individual for health officer. (2) If a vacancy occurs in the position of health officer for a county, the governing body shall establish a process, in consultation with the Department, for making a recommendation to the Secretary for the appointment of a health officer. (3) The process established under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall include the requirements for recruiting, interviewing, and recommending applicants for the position of health officer. (c) (1) If the Secretary finds that a nominee meets the qualifications of this section, the Secretary shall appoint the nominee as health officer. (2) If the Secretary finds that the nominee does not meet the qualifications of this section, the Secretary shall reject the nomination, and the county shall provide the Secretary with another nomination. (d) Each health officer: (1) Shall have: (i) A master's degree in public health and at least 2 years' work in the field of public health; or (ii) At least 5 years' work in the field of public health; (2) Shall have any other qualifications and training in the field of public health that the Secretary requires by rule or regulation; and (3) Need not be a physician, if the health officer has a deputy who: (i) Is a physician; and (ii) Meets the qualifications of this subsection. (e) Before taking office, each appointee to the office of health officer shall take the oath required by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution. (f) (1) The health officer for a county may be removed from office with the concurrence of the governing body of that county and the Secretary. (2) (i) Any information concerning the removal of a health officer from office is confidential in accordance with Title 4 of the General Provisions Article. (ii) Any meeting of the governing body of a county or any meeting that includes the Secretary related to the removal of a health officer from office shall be closed. (3) (i) If the Secretary and the governing body concur on the removal of a health officer, the Secretary shall provide written notification to the health officer that includes: 1. The basis for the removal; 2. Documentation supporting the removal; and 3. Notice of the opportunity to request a hearing with the Secretary within 10 days after receipt of the written notification and information on how to request the hearing. (ii) If the health officer requests a hearing with the Secretary: 1. The Secretary promptly shall hold a hearing, provided that the hearing may not be held sooner than 10 days or later than 30 days after the Secretary sends the health officer a notice of the removal; 2. The health officer shall have an opportunity to be heard before the Secretary in the health officer's defense; and 3. The Secretary shall make a final decision not later than 10 days after the date of the hearing. (4) Not later than 30 days after the Secretary makes a decision under paragraph (3) of this subsection, a health officer may request a hearing before the appropriate circuit court to ensure that the proceedings for the removal of the health officer were conducted in accordance with paragraph (3) of this subsection.
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