Indiana lawmakers reach deal on bill limiting local health department emergency powers

NDIANAPOLIS — Indiana legislative negotiators have reached an agreement on limiting the authority of county or city health departments by allowing local elected officials to overturn orders or enforcement actions issued during emergencies.

Republican supporters say the proposal is meant to provide a “check and balance” protecting the rights of business owners following complaints about COVID-19 orders closing or limiting businesses that have been imposed over the past year.

The agreement released Tuesday requires any local public health order that is more stringent than one issued by the governor to be approved by an elected county or city board. The deal also creates a procedure allowing the public to appeal enforcement actions such as citations, fines or an order to close a business.

In St. Joseph County, many local officials could not immediately be reached for comment on the bill.

Read more: https://www.southbendtribune.com/coronavirus/indiana-lawmakers-reach-deal-on-bill-limiting-local-health-department-emergency-powers/article_73b6213a-a213-11eb-bcd3-0f7ddeecc422.html