New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

125 Worth Street in 2013
Department overview
Jurisdiction New York City
Headquarters 125 Worth Street
New York, NY
Department executive
Key document
Website www.nyc.gov/health
2 Gotham Center in Long Island City, home to the DOHMH

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) is the department of the government of New York City[1] responsible for public health along with issuing birth certificates, dog licenses, and conducting restaurant inspection and enforcement. The New York City Board of Health is part of the department.[2][3] Its regulations are compiled in title 24 of the New York City Rules (the New York City Health Code). The current commissioner is Dr. Mary Bassett, MD.

History

The department was initially set up as the New York City Board of Health, which held its first meeting in 1805 to combat an outbreak of yellow fever. In 1866, the New York State legislature enacted a bill establishing the Metropolitan Board of Health, consisting of the four Police Commissioners, four Health Commissioners appointed by the Governor, and the Health Officer for the Port of New York. In 1870 the legislature replaced the Board of Health with the Department of Health, with additional responsibilities including street cleaning and sanitary permits.[4] As a result of its consolidation with the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services, it was renamed the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on July 29, 2002.[5]

In March 2016, the Department issued an advisory allowing dogs to accompany human diners at restaurants that have outdoor seating.[6][7]

Organization

Board of Health

The New York City Board of Health is part of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and consists of the commissioner of the department, the chairperson of the department's Mental Hygiene Advisory Board, and nine other members appointed by the mayor.[3]

See also

References

  1. New York City Charter § 551(a); "There shall be a department of health and mental hygiene, the head of which shall be the commissioner of health and mental hygiene [...]"
  2. New York City Charter § 553
  3. 1 2 New York Statewide Coalition of Hispanic Chambers of Commerce v New York City Dept. of Health & Mental Hygiene, 23 NY3d 681 (2014).
  4. "New York City Department of Health Centennial" (PDF). nyc.gov. New York City Department of Health. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  5. Cooper, Michael (July 30, 2002). "Metro Briefing — Streets And Agencies Renamed". New York Times. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
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