CHAPTER 13. OFFICE OF WOMEN'S HEALTH

IC 16-19-13
    Chapter 13. Office of Women's Health

IC 16-19-13-1
"Office" defined
    Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "office" refers to the office ofwomen's health established by this chapter.
As added by P.L.52-1999, SEC.3.

IC 16-19-13-2
Establishment
    Sec. 2. The office of women's health is established within the statedepartment.
As added by P.L.52-1999, SEC.3.

IC 16-19-13-3
Purposes
    Sec. 3. The office is established for the following purposes:
        (1) To educate and advocate for women's health by requestingthat the state department, either on its own or in partnershipwith other entities, establish appropriate forums, programs, orinitiatives designed to educate the public regarding women'shealth, with an emphasis on preventive health and healthylifestyles.
        (2) To assist the state health commissioner in identifying,coordinating, and establishing priorities for programs, services,and resources the state should provide for women's health issuesand concerns relating to the reproductive, menopausal, andpostmenopausal phases of a woman's life, with an emphasis onpostmenopausal health.
        (3) To serve as a clearinghouse and resource for informationregarding women's health data, strategies, services, andprograms that address women's health issues, including thefollowing:
            (A) Diseases that significantly impact women, includingheart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis.
            (B) Menopause.
            (C) Mental health.
            (D) Substance abuse.
            (E) Sexually transmitted diseases.
            (F) Sexual assault and domestic violence.
        (4) To collect, classify, and analyze relevant researchinformation and data conducted or compiled by:
            (A) the state department; or
            (B) other entities in collaboration with the state department;
        and to provide interested persons with information regardingthe research results, except as prohibited by law.
        (5) To develop and recommend funding and program activitiesfor educating the public on women's health initiatives, includingthe following:            (A) Health needs throughout a woman's life.
            (B) Diseases that significantly affect women, including heartdisease, cancer, and osteoporosis.
            (C) Access to health care for women.
            (D) Poverty and women's health.
            (E) The leading causes of morbidity and mortality forwomen.
            (F) Special health concerns of minority women.
        (6) To make recommendations to the state health commissionerregarding programs that address women's health issues forinclusion in the state department's biennial budget and strategicplanning.
        (7) To seek funding from private or governmental entities tocarry out the purposes of this chapter.
        (8) To prepare materials for publication and dissemination tothe public on women's health.
        (9) To conduct public educational forums in Indiana to raisepublic awareness and to educate citizens about women's healthprograms, issues, and services.
        (10) To coordinate the activities and programs of the office withother entities that focus on women's health or women's issues,including the Indiana commission for women (IC 4-23-25-3).
        (11) To represent the state health commissioner, upon request,before the general assembly and the Indiana commission forwomen established by IC 4-23-25-3.
        (12) To provide an annual report to the governor, the legislativecouncil, and the Indiana commission for women regarding thesuccesses of the programs of the office, priorities and servicesneeded for women's health in Indiana, and areas forimprovement. A report provided under this subdivision to thelegislative council must be in an electronic format underIC 5-14-6.
This section does not allow the director or any employees of theoffice to advocate, promote, refer to, or otherwise advance abortionor abortifacients.
As added by P.L.52-1999, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.28-2004,SEC.135.

IC 16-19-13-4
Staff appointments
    Sec. 4. (a) The state health commissioner shall appoint persons tostaff the office, including:
        (1) the director of the office; and
        (2) any other employees that the state health commissionerdetermines are necessary.
    (b) The employees appointed under subsection (a)(2) shall reportto the director. The director shall report to the state healthcommissioner.
    (c) The director shall supervise the employees assigned to theoffice.    (d) The director shall oversee the administrative functions of theoffice.
As added by P.L.52-1999, SEC.3.

IC 16-19-13-5
Advisory committee
    Sec. 5. (a) The state health commissioner shall appoint anadvisory committee on women's health to assist in advising thedirector regarding the duties required under this chapter.
    (b) The advisory committee is comprised of persons with anexpertise in and a knowledge of women's health issues in Indiana.
    (c) The state health commissioner shall:
        (1) determine the number of persons to serve on the advisorycommittee;
        (2) appoint a chairperson or co-chairpersons for the advisorycommittee; and
        (3) establish the policies and procedures under which theadvisory committee operates.
As added by P.L.52-1999, SEC.3.

IC 16-19-13-6
Repealed
    (Repealed by P.L.126-2006, SEC.4.)