§257. Assistant secretaries

            A. Each office within the Louisiana Department of Health, except the office of management and finance and the office of the surgeon general, shall be under the immediate supervision and direction of an assistant secretary, who shall be appointed by the governor with consent of the Senate. Each shall serve at the pleasure of the governor and shall be paid a salary which shall be fixed by the governor, which salary shall not exceed the amount approved for such position by the legislature while in session.

            B. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Title, the duties and functions of each office and its assistant secretary shall be determined by the secretary, and all of such duties and functions shall be exercised under the direct supervision and control of the secretary.

            C. Except as otherwise provided in R.S. 36:801, each assistant secretary shall employ, appoint, remove, assign, and promote such personnel as is necessary for the efficient administration of his office and its programs and the performance of its powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities, in accordance with applicable civil service laws, rules, and regulations, and with policies and rules of the department, all subject to budgetary control and applicable laws.

            D. Each assistant secretary shall exercise all powers and authority granted to him in this Title subject to the overall direction and control of the secretary.

            Acts 1976, No. 513, §1. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 83, §1, eff. June 22, 1977; Acts 1984, No. 899, §1, eff. July 1, 1984; Acts 1988, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, §2, eff. Mar. 28, 1988; Acts 1988, No. 772, §2, eff. July 17, 1988; Acts 2024, No. 739, §1, eff. June 19, 2024.