Www.publichealthlawnetwork.org Public Health Law Network A national initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation® with direction and technical assistance

www.publichealthlawnetwork.org

Public Health Law Network

A national initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation® with direction and technical assistance by the Public Health Law Center at

William Mitchell College of Law.


WHO?Funded by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

The mission of the Foundation is to improve the health and health care of all Americans. Our goal is clear: To help our society transform itself for the better.

One National Coordinating CenterDan Stier, Executive Director

Five Regional OfficesNorthern, Western, Mid-States, Southeastern, Eastern

Three Significant Partners1. Public Health Law Research Program 2. National Policy and Legal Analysis Network to Prevent Childhood Obesity (

NPLAN)3. Tobacco Control Legal Consortium (TCLC)


WHO?Everyone working in public health who joins the

Network, including:

National, state, tribal, and local public health officials, their staff and their attorneys;Advocacy and educational organizations;Public health, medical and social science researchers; AND . . . .

YOU!!!Go here to join: www.publichealthlawnetwork.org/join


WHAT?The Public Health Law Network connects and

serves individuals and organizations committed to applying the law to improve public health.

An interconnected web . . . .


WHERE?National Coordinating Center and Northern Region

Iowa, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, WyomingCross-Border; Tobacco

Western RegionAlaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, WashingtonEmergency Preparedness; Tribal Law

Mid-States RegionIllinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, PennsylvaniaHealth Information Data Sharing; Public Health Statutes and Regulatory Power


WHERE?Southeastern Region

Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, VirginiaHealth Care Reform; Accreditation; Regionalization (Shared Service Delivery)

Eastern RegionConnecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, West VirginiaInjury Prevention; Food Safety; Environmental HealthPartnerships: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; University of Maryland School of Law (Environmental Law Program; Health Law Program)


WHY?

Any guesses?


WHY?

The purpose of the Public Health Law Network is to increase the use and the effectiveness of public health laws in protecting, promoting and improving public health.


HOW?3 PRIMARY SERVICES/FUNCTIONS

Technical AssistanceProactive Deliverables:

Training sessions (in-person, online)Fact Sheets, Issue Briefs, Webinars, Model LawsBlog (www.publichealthlawnetwork.org/network-blog-posts),

Updates, Alerts

Creation of a Network of Experts


TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE V. LEGAL ADVICE

Legal Advice:Legal advice is typically defined as giving a formal or informal legal opinion by a licensed attorney. It tends to be more narrow and particular in focus and usually involves applying or interpreting law to a factual situation presented by a client. Only a licensed attorney can provide legal advice within any jurisdiction.Who is your legal counsel?Attorney General, County Attorney

Technical Legal Assistance:Technical assistance is defined as the act of strategizing with individuals on potential legal options not in an attorney/ client situation. Generally, technical assistance provided on a particular topic may be useful in a variety of jurisdictions or factual circumstances while legal advice answers a specific question for a particular client or jurisdiction and may or may not be useful in other situations or jurisdictions.


LOBBYING RESTRICTIONThe Network does not directly communicate its positions on

specific public health legislation. The Network strives to inform and improve public health; it does not “lobby.” However, technical legal assistance is available to legislators and others interested in developing and pursuing sound public health policy through the passage of statutes or ordinances or development of regulations. That assistance includes:sharing relevant data and research,analyzing potential legal hurdles, providing expert testimony at legislative hearings, and other supportive action.


BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIPAll those in the Network benefit from communications on current issues in

public health law and from the opportunity to build professional working relationships with others in the Network. As a part of the Network, you will be readily informed about available access to the Network’s technical legal assistance, training and educational programs, as well as ongoing communications and dialogues on public health law topics.

An organization that joins the Network to provide assistance, information and training on public health issues may benefit from the Network’s ability to connect public health practitioners and advocates to your organization, and to promote your research and resources to the public health community. The Network could also offer opportunities to speak at Network conferences and workshops or otherwise serve as consultants on Network projects.


REPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERSThose who join the Network may range from those who are seeking assistance to

those who are experts in the public health law field. Those who are seeking technical assistance services are invited to submit requests

with sufficient detail to allow for an accurate response and thorough research and analysis. There may also be an opportunity to share experiences with other public health agencies and officials that are facing similar challenges. All are encouraged to promote the Network within the public health and legal communities. Though individuals and organizations are encouraged to join the Network, they do not have to join to access the Network’s services.

Those who join the Network to provide their assistance, research or training on public health law issues are encouraged to collaborate with Network staff. If willing and able, they may be asked by the Network to provide their services directly to an individual or organization seeking assistance. They may also refer others to the Network for assistance. Again, all are encouraged to promote the Network within the public health and legal communities.


Recent Examples of Our Work• Technical Assistance

• Community health benefits• Laws allowing older/disabled

persons to remain in their homes

• State/local regulatory authority: abortion clinics, nail salons, child care centers

• Fracking• School nutrition: school

gardens and menu labeling• State use of Lifeline program

for PH purposes

• Issue Briefs and Fact Sheets• Affordable Care Act• State rulemaking• Boards of health and liability,

accreditation• Emergency preparedness• Elderly driving safety• Implementing state youth

concussion laws


Recent Examples of Our Work• PH Law Webinar Series

• Network, ASLME, PHLA, & PHLR• Role of Attorneys General• Hydraulic fracturing• Affordable Care Act• Concussions in youth

sports

• 50-State Surveys• Concussions in youth sports• Medical marijuana• Intimate partner violence

• Presentations• Building the Network!• State legislatures and health

departments• Government Accountability

Project on Public Health, Food Safety, and Employee Rights

• Hilltop Institute• Medical-Legal Partnership• Associated Black Charities




QUESTIONS?

Documents

Www.publichealthlawnetwork.org Public Health Law Network A national initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation® with direction and technical assistance