Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 2-101 Department established.
§ 2-101. Department established.
There is a Department of Health, as established in Article VII, § 54 of the City Charter.
(Ord. 99-548.)
Organization and General Authority
Baltimore City Code div. Health Code, tit. 2, subtit. 1
in effectBaltimore City Code, Health Code, § 2-102 Commissioner.
§ 2-102. Commissioner.
The head of the Department is the Commissioner of Health, who is appointed as provided in Article VII, § 55 of the City Charter.
(Ord. 99-548.)
Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 2-103 Deputies, assistants, etc.
§ 2-103. Deputies, assistants, etc.
(a) In general.
The Commissioner may appoint deputies, assistants, professional employees, and other officers and employees as provided in the Ordinance of Estimates.
(b) Identification.
While on duty, all officers and employees of the Department must have and, on request, display official identification denoting their employment.
(Ord. 99-548.)
Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 2-103.1 Suicide Prevention Coordinator.
§ 2-103.1. Suicide Prevention Coordinator.
(a) In general.
There is a Suicide Prevention Coordinator within the Health Department.
(b) Scope.
The Suicide Prevention Coordinator shall:
(1) collaborate with system partners to support behavioral health system management; and
(2) work to prevent suicides and mental health crises.
(c) Duties.
The Suicide Prevention Coordinator is authorized to:
(1) reach out to community organizations, groups and agencies to inform them about available resources regarding suicide prevention;
(2) coordinate and provide suicide prevention trainings and trainings regarding the relationship between trauma and suicide as needed;
(3) carry out new public awareness prevention strategies;
(4) distribute resource materials as appropriate;
(5) generally collaborate with:
(i) the State Behavioral Health Administration’s Office of Suicide Prevention;
(ii) the Baltimore Police Department;
(iii) the Fire Department;
(iv) local emergency departments;
(v) Baltimore Crisis Response;
(vi) the Baltimore City Public School System;
(vii) academic partners;
(viii) people with mental health conditions; and
(ix) other local agencies and services;
(6) collaborate with the Health Department’s Child Fatality Review team and the Health Department’s Maternal Mortality Review team to develop and implement prevention plans;
(7) collaborate with emergency departments, pediatricians, primary care physicians, the Baltimore City Public School System, and colleges and universities to encourage screening for suicidality and to establish continuity of care for patients at risk of suicide;
(8) develop and coordinate a data collection and analysis plan to determine trends regarding suicides and suicide attempts;
(9) develop a plan of action to reduce suicides in Baltimore City;
(10) provide consultations to mental health, school, juvenile, and social services professionals;
(11) represent the Health Department in interagency meetings and committees;
(12) support system accountability to ensure that services are responsive to the behavioral health needs of Baltimore City residents;
(13) work with diverse populations in Baltimore City to actively decrease stigma associated with mental health; and
(14) fulfill other related duties as assigned by the Health Commissioner.
(d) Potential contractual position.
The Health Commissioner may elect to contract with the local behavioral health authority to fill the Suicide Prevention Coordinator position.
(Ord. 21-063.)
Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 2-104 Commissioner’s Charter powers.
§ 2-104. Commissioner’s Charter powers.
Under Article VII, § 56 of the City Charter, the Commissioner has the general care of and responsibility for:
(1) enforcing all laws for the preservation of the health of the inhabitants of the City;
(2) the study and prevention of disease, epidemics, and nuisances affecting public health; and
(3) establishing and implementing policies for:
(i) treating and preventing physical and mental illnesses; and
(ii) educating the public about environmental, physical, and mental health.
(Ord. 99-548.)
Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 2-105 General duties.
§ 2-105. General duties.
In addition to any duties set forth elsewhere, the Commissioner has the following duties:
(1) to observe and inspect areas in and near the City that might be health hazards;
(2) to enforce all laws relating to health and the correction of health hazards;
(3) in the absence of a law needed to correct a health hazard, to report and recommend to the Mayor any extraordinary action needed;
(4) to investigate and report all cases of communicable diseases and take immediate action to stop their spread;
(5) to remove and abate nuisances; and
(6) to report to and advise the Mayor and other City authorities on all matters relating to the preservation of the health of the people.
(Ord. 99-548.)
Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 2-106 Rules and regulations.
§ 2-106. Rules and regulations.
Subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the City General Provisions Article, the Commissioner may adopt and enforce rules and regulations to carry out this article.
(Text Conformed 03/10/21; Ord. 99-548.)
Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 2-107 Right of entry.
§ 2-107. Right of entry.
(a) In general.
The Commissioner may, at all reasonable times, enter any structure or premises within the City:
(1) whenever the Commissioner has reason to believe that a health hazard, nuisance, or violation of this article exists in or is emanating from that structure or premises;
(2) to inspect any property, facilities, equipment, operations, animals, records, or other things required or authorized by this article to be inspected; or
(3) otherwise as necessary or appropriate to enforce this article.
(b) Dwellings.
(1) “Dwelling” defined.
In this subsection, “dwelling” has the meaning stated in § 5-301(b) of this article.
(2) Governing procedures.
The entry and inspection of a dwelling must be made in accordance with § 104.6 {“Right of entry”} of the Baltimore City Building Code.
(3) Search warrant.
A search warrant must be obtained in accordance with § 104.6 {“Right of entry”} of the Baltimore City Building Code, except as otherwise specified in that section.
(Ord. 13-093; Ord. 02-475; Ord. 99-548.)
Source: City of Baltimore Department of Legislative Reference, City of Baltimore Law Library (codes.baltimorecity.gov; Open Law Library bulk XML)URL: https://codes.baltimorecity.gov/us/md/cities/baltimore/code/health/2/1Fetched: 10/25/2026