Senate Bill 48 would limit mandates a local health board or officer could make without approval from

Capacity restrictions and closures of businesses have been a hot topic during the COVID-19 pandemic.

And now local legislators are crafting a policy to restrict mandates health officers can put in place.

Hot topic during the covid-19 pandemic.

And now local legislators are crafting a policy to restrict mandates health officers can put in place.

I talked with local state senator ron alting who feels mandates and restrictions should be left up to elected officials.

Senator ron alting feels health officers have played a vital role in keeping the community safe during the covid-19 pandemic.

"their role will not change in terms of their advisement their recommendations for public safety because tt is what all elected officials want to look at."-alting.

However..

He feels that local health authorities shouldn't be able to invoke mandates on local businesses without the approval of elected officials.

"a mayor or or a commissioner usually has a little better feel and handle on the businesses particularly the small businesses that they represent in their areas."-alting.

Senate bill 48 would limit the time in which an order or mandate by a local health board or local health officer may be in effect, unless approved by elected officials.

Tippecanoe county health officer dr. jeremy adler says..

This policy could make public health officials jobs more difficult.

"this bill could potentially present some hurdles for health departments in their efforts to get their communities through this pandemic safely.-adler.

Alting says that isn't the case.

He feels that mandates that will effect local economies..

Need to be handled by people elected by the community.

"nothing changes with with exception of when you do a press conference and you are going to close down all retail shops or no inside dinning the health officer will be standing next to the elected official and the elected official will be announcing those regulations.

"-alting dr. adler hopes that lawmakers will understand the decisions health officers have made through out the pandemic are for the greater good.

"trust that they are going to make decisions that are in the best interest of the public health of the community they serve.

And that their decisions are going to be fair and reasonable and based on science and data."-adler adler says any mandates or restrictions that have been in effect in tippecanoe county have been discussed with elected officials before being put in to place.

The first day of the 2021 legislative session is on