SB 5715 - DIGEST

Establishes the joint public health financing committee.

Provides that the committee shall: (1) Analyze the costs and benefits to state government, to private businesses, and to state residents from fully implementing the standards for public health contained in the 2004 public health improvement plan;

(2) Recommend strategies and a schedule for improving public health programs throughout the state according to that plan, including the timing of increased funding for public health services linked to not more than a six-year schedule for full implementation of recommended improvements;

(3) Recommend a source and level of dedicated funding the legislature should provide for public health services. The recommendation shall include methods to ensure that such funding does not supplant existing federal, state, and local funds received by any element of the public health system; and

(4) Conduct a review of the public health improvement plan as presently authorized in state law and recommend how its needed functions might most efficiently be integrated in the regular functioning of the public health system, and make recommendations about the need to continue requiring a public health improvement plan.

Directs the committee to complete an interim report to the governor and the legislature by December 1, 2005, and a final report by December 1, 2006.