Sent this afternoon: Missoula County opposes HB 761 – Generally Revise Occupational and Licensing Boards, before House Business and Labor tomorrow morning. HB 761 eliminate several state boards, including the Board of Sanitarians. HB 791 deletes education and experience requirements for sanitarians (also known as Environmental Health Specialists), which means that counties could hire people without the background or knowledge to protect public health, safety and the environment. Current law ensures that Environmental Health Specialists remain current in their profession by requiring continuing education and establishes a code of ethics for sanitarians to follow. Sanitarians interact extensively with the public, and include professional staff who inspect restaurants, public lodging, body art businesses, pools and spas, trailer courts and daycares; perform site evaluations, groundwater monitoring; write permits for wells and septic systems; regulate air and water quality; troubleshoot issues, respond to complaints and enforce laws and rules. It is essential that this workforce be qualified and held to professional standards in order for us to earn and keep the public’s trust and respect.
Sent this afternoon:
ReplyDeleteMissoula County opposes HB 761 – Generally Revise Occupational and Licensing Boards, before House Business and Labor tomorrow morning. HB 761 eliminate several state boards, including the Board of Sanitarians. HB 791 deletes education and experience requirements for sanitarians (also known as Environmental Health Specialists), which means that counties could hire people without the background or knowledge to protect public health, safety and the environment. Current law ensures that Environmental Health Specialists remain current in their profession by requiring continuing education and establishes a code of ethics for sanitarians to follow. Sanitarians interact extensively with the public, and include professional staff who inspect restaurants, public lodging, body art businesses, pools and spas, trailer courts and daycares; perform site evaluations, groundwater monitoring; write permits for wells and septic systems; regulate air and water quality; troubleshoot issues, respond to complaints and enforce laws and rules. It is essential that this workforce be qualified and held to professional standards in order for us to earn and keep the public’s trust and respect.
Please oppose HB 761.