§16-1-3. Powers and duties of the Secretary.

(a) The secretary may establish a state public health system.

(b) As necessary for the effective, efficient, and economical operation of the system, the secretary may from time to time delegate, assign, transfer, or combine responsibilities or duties to or among employees of the department.

(c) Within the limits of applicable federal law, the secretary may require every applicant for a license, permit, certificate of registration, or registration under this chapter to place his or her social security number on the application.

(d) The secretary may appoint advisory councils.

(e) (1) The Secretary of the Department of Health is the chief executive officer of that department and beginning January 1, 2024, is charged with the administration of this chapter. The Governor shall appoint the secretary, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for the term for which the Governor is elected, and the secretary shall serve at the will and pleasure of the Governor. The Secretary shall be paid an annual salary not to exceed $175,000. Upon his or her initial appointment, which may be at any time after the effective date of this act, the Secretary shall take the oath of office described in this section and commence his or her duties. If appointed before January 1, 2024, the Secretary shall take the oath of office described in this section and commence such duties as determined by the Secretary to be necessary to prepare for the administration of this chapter.

(2) Before entering upon the duties of his or her office, the secretary shall take and subscribe to the oath of office prescribed by section five, article four of the state Constitution.

(3) The secretary shall not be a candidate for, or hold, any other public office or public employment under the federal government or under the government of this state or any of its political subdivisions, or be a member or officer of any political party committee, or serve as an election official, or engage in any political activity, other than to vote, in behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate, political party or public issue involved in an election. Any violation by the secretary of the provisions of this section shall automatically vacate his or her appointment as secretary.

(4) In addition to the authority provided in §5F-2-2 of this code, the secretary shall:

(A) Coordinate efforts with the Secretary of Human Services and the Secretary of Health Facilities, including authority to share the expense of administrative services through a memorandum of understanding established by agreement of the secretaries as required under §5F-2-1a of this code;

(B) Establish a state public health system; and

(C) Cooperate with the Office of the Inspector General and take action on its findings;

(5) The secretary may:

(1) Within the limits of applicable federal law, the secretary may require every applicant for a license, permit, certificate of registration, or registration under this chapter to place his or her social security number on the application; and

(2) Appoint advisory councils.

(f) Any contract, agreement or memorandum of understanding between the secretary and West Virginia University, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine or Marshall University for services is exempt from the provisions of §5A-3-1 et seq., of this code.