2006 Louisiana Laws - RS 40:5.11 — Water fluoridation program; fluoridation advisory board

§5.11.  Water fluoridation program; Fluoridation Advisory Board

A.  The secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals shall establish in the office of public health a fluoridation program for the purpose of protecting the dental health of the citizens of this state, and especially children, through the prevention of tooth decay.

B.  The intent of the program shall be to encourage each public water system that has at least five thousand service connections to provide fluoridation of its water supply by January 1, 2000.

C.  There is hereby created within the Department of Health and Hospitals, office of public health, the Fluoridation Advisory Board, which shall consist of the following members appointed by the governor, to serve at his pleasure, upon recommendation of the Louisiana Dental Association, and confirmation by the Senate:

(1)  A practicing dentist from each of the nine administrative regions of the Department of Health and Hospitals.

(2)  A representative of the Maternal and Child Health Coalition.

(3)  A representative of the Louisiana State Medical Society.

(4)  A representative of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center.

(5)  A state licensed dental hygienist.

(6)  A representative of the Louisiana Rural Water Association.

D.(1)  The Fluoridation Advisory Board shall assist any public water system with at least five thousand service connections to obtain funding for fluoridation of its system by seeking all sources of funding, including but not limited to the following:

(a)  Federal and state grants.

(b)  Donations from private foundations.

(c)  Donations from local businesses.

(2)  The board shall assist the director of the state oral health program within the office of public health in educating the public on matters regarding dental health and the prevention of tooth decay.

(3)  The board shall act in an advisory capacity to the fluoridation program and is authorized to make recommendations regarding the management, administration, and operation of the program.

E.(1)  The board shall adopt bylaws for its own procedure.

(2)  The members of the board shall not receive compensation for their services but shall be entitled to reimbursement for expenses, including travel expenses, to attend official in-state board meetings at the rate for state employees established by the commissioner of administration.

F.  The Department of Health and Hospitals, office of public health, shall provide administrative and technical assistance to the board.

G.  The office of public health, through the department, shall promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act relating to the fluoridation of public water systems.

Acts 1997, No. 908, §2; Acts 1999, No. 802, §5, eff. July 2, 1999.