The Network for Public Health Law

Kerri McGowan Lowrey, JD, MPH

Deputy Director, Eastern Region

Council of State Governments Annual Meeting

August 18, 2015
Wilmington, DE

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
be<er.

One National Coordinating Center

Donna Levin, Executive Director

Five Regional Oces

Northern, Western, Mid-States, Southeastern, Eastern

Three Existing Program Partners

1. Public Health Law Research Program
2. Change Lab Solutions
3. Public Health Law Center/Tobacco Control Legal Consortium
K. Lowrey, CSG, Wilmington, DE, August 18, 2015

Who?
Everyone working in public health who joins the
Network, including:
National, state, tribal, and local public health ocials, their sta
and their a<orneys;
Advocacy and educational organizations;
Public health, medical and social science
researchers; AND

YOU!

We have a Student Network, too!

Visit www.networkforphl.org to join.
K. Lowrey, CSG, Wilmington, DE, August 18, 2015

What?
The Network for Public Health Law connects and
serves individuals and organizations commi<ed to
applying the law to improve public health.

An interconnected web . . . .

K. Lowrey, CSG, Wilmington, DE, August 18, 2015

Why?
The purpose of the Network is to increase the
use and the eectiveness of public health laws in
protecting, promoting and improving public
health.

K. Lowrey, CSG, Wilmington, DE, August 18, 2015

How?
Three primary services/functions:
Technical Assistance
Proactive Deliverables
Fact Sheets, Issue Briefs, Webinars, Model Laws
50-State Surveys
Blog, Updates, Alerts
Creating a Network of Experts

K. Lowrey, CSG, Wilmington, DE, August 18, 2015

Lobbying Restriction
The Network does not directly communicate its positions on
specic 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,

Other supportive action.

K. Lowrey, CSG, Wilmington, DE, August 18, 2015

Sample Eastern Region Work

Hydrofracturing (Fracking)
Fracking, Water Quality, and Public Health Webinar
Summary of Federal Regs. and Regulatory Gaps
Medical Marijuana
Medical Marijuana: Unanticipated Legal Consequences and Lessons
Learned
Tobacco Regulation
Brief of Amici Curiae Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition and
Legal Resource Center; Altria v. Good, U.S. Supreme Court, 129 S. Ct.
538 (2008)
Electronic Cigare<es, Fact-Sheet
Hookah, 50-State Survey
Flavored Tobacco Products, Model Ordinance
Smoke-Free Multiunit Housing
K. Lowrey, CSG, Wilmington, DE, August 18, 2015
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Youth Sports-Related TBI

50 State (and DC) Compilation of Laws
Return-to-Learn Issue Brief
Youth Sports and Health Promotion
Blog: Laws and Policies Can Ensure Health Benets of
Competitive Sports Extend to All Children
Injury Prevention
Teen Driving Laws, Fact Sheets
Motorcycle Helmet Laws, Fact Sheets
Elder drivers issue brief and 50-state compilation
Oral Health
Dental Auxiliary Scope of Practice Laws
Specialty Courts

Court Watch Montgomery

K. Lowrey, CSG, Wilmington, DE, August 18, 2015

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Food Safety and Security

Food Safety Modernization Act Primers
Produce Safety Regulations
Food Transport Regulations
Raw Milk-50 State Survey
State Regulation of Dietary Supplements
Legal Interventions to Address Food Deserts
Public Nuisance
Guidance Document for Local Health Ocers in NH
Interpersonal Violence and Child Maltreatment
Child Custody and Visitation
Housing Rights/Protections
Child Maltreatment Reporting Laws
Maltreatment Records and Central Registries
K. Lowrey, CSG, Wilmington, DE, August 18, 2015
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Obesity and Hypertension Prevention

Workplace Wellness Programs and the Aordable Care
Act
Childcare and School Nutrition and Physical Activity:
Laws and Best Practices
Energy Drinks, Fact-Sheet
Public Health Powers/Local Authority
County and Municipal Public Health Powers
Board of Health Powers

K. Lowrey, CSG, Wilmington, DE, August 18, 2015

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Requesting Assistance is Easy!

Call us: 410-706-5575

Email us: eastern@networkforphl.org

Visit our website:
www.networkforphl.org/join_the_network/

K. Lowrey, CSG, Wilmington, DE, August 18, 2015

QUESTIONS?

Contact
Network for Public Health Law, Eastern Region

Kathleen Hoke, JD
Director
khoke@law.umaryland.edu
410-706-1294

Kerri McGowan Lowrey, JD, MPH

Deputy Director
klowrey@law.umaryland.edu
410-706-5994

K. Lowrey, CSG, Wilmington, DE, August 18, 2015

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