May 24, 2024

(Kingston, NY) – In its May Session the Ulster County Legislature adopted Proposed Local Law No. 3 of 2024 in a vote of 14-8, which would remove the requirement of that the Ulster County Commissioner of Health be a physician. This is among several of the changes to the Ulster County Charter recommended by the Charter Revision Commission in 2023.

“The last four years have shown that our Health Department needs to be flexible to respond to public health crises ranging from monitoring contagious diseases and global pandemics to compromised water supplies and regular lead testing. By changing this requirement as allowed by New York State, we can ensure we have the best candidates and the widest pool of applicants to run the Department,” said Majority Leader Abe Uchitelle (District 5 – City of Kingston), Chair of the Health, Human Services & Housing Committee.

In addition to changing the licensure requirement of the leader of the Health Department, Proposed Local Law No. 3 of 2024 removes the residency requirement of the Medical Examiner. This modification of the Charter also comes as a recommendation from the Ulster County Charter Revision Commission, which determined this restriction hindered the ability of the Department of Health to hire and retain this position.

Following passage by the Ulster County Legislature on May 14, the County Executive will be holding an additional public hearing on Tuesday June 4, 2024 at 5:30 PM in Legislative Chambers, where the public will have another opportunity to voice their opinions or concerns on these changes to the Charter prior to the Executive signing this Legislation and submission by the Clerk of the Legislature to the Secretary of State.