Iowa Code Title IV. Public Health [Chs. 123-158] § 135.141. Department duties related to acute disease prevention and emergency response

a. Coordinate with the department of homeland security and emergency management the administration of emergency planning matters which involve the public health, including development, administration, and execution of the public health components of the comprehensive emergency plan and emergency management program pursuant to section 29C.8.

b. Coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies and officials, and private agencies, organizations, companies, and persons, the administration of emergency planning, response, and recovery matters that involve the public health.

c. If a public health disaster exists, or if there is reasonable cause to believe that a public health disaster is imminent, conduct a risk assessment of any present or potential danger to the public health from chemical, radiological, or other potentially dangerous agents.

d. For the purpose of paragraph “c”, an employee or agent of the department may enter into and examine any premises containing potentially dangerous agents with the consent of the owner or person in charge of the premises or, if the owner or person in charge of the premises refuses admittance, with an administrative search warrant obtained under section 808.14. Based on findings of the risk assessment and examination of the premises, the director may order reasonable safeguards or take any other action reasonably necessary to protect the public health pursuant to rules adopted to administer this subsection.

e. Coordinate the location, procurement, storage, transportation, maintenance, and distribution of medical supplies, drugs, antidotes, and vaccines to prepare for or in response to a public health disaster, including receiving, distributing, and administering items from the strategic national stockpile program of the centers for disease control and prevention of the United States department of health and human services.

f. Conduct or coordinate public information activities regarding emergency and disaster planning, response, and recovery matters that involve the public health.

g. Apply for and accept grants, gifts, or other funds to be used for programs authorized by this subchapter.

h. Establish and coordinate other programs or activities as necessary for the prevention, detection, management, and containment of public health disasters, and for the recovery from such disasters.

i. Adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A for the administration of this subchapter including rules adopted in cooperation with the Iowa pharmacy association and the Iowa hospital association for the development of a surveillance system to monitor supplies of drugs, antidotes, and vaccines to assist in detecting a potential public health disaster. Prior to adoption, the rules shall be approved by the council on health and human services and the director of the department of homeland security and emergency management.