Title 42The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73not60

§1592o Powers of Surgeon General of Public Health Service

Title 42 › Chapter 9— HOUSING OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN NATIONAL DEFENSE › Subchapter IX— DEFENSE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES › § 1592o

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

Gives the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service full authority over all duties in this part that deal with health, trash disposal, sewage treatment, and water purification, even if other rules say otherwise. The Surgeon General can also let any federal agency handle construction-related duties.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §1592o

The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, all functions, powers, and duties under this subchapter and section 1591b of this title with respect to health, refuse disposal, sewage treatment, and water purification shall be exercised by and vested in the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service: Provided, That the Surgeon General shall have power to delegate to any other Federal agency functions, powers, and duties with respect to construction.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

“Secretary of Health and Human Services” substituted for “Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare” pursuant to section 509(b) of Pub. L. 96–88, which is classified to section 3508(b) of Title 20, Education.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

Office of Surgeon General abolished by section 3 of 1966 Reorg. Plan No. 3 eff. June 25, 1966, 31 F.R. 8855, 80 Stat. 1610, and functions thereof transferred to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare by section 1 of 1966 Reorg. Plan. No. 3, set out as a note under section 202 of this title. Office of Surgeon General reestablished within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, see Notice of Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Mar. 30, 1987, 52 F.R. 11754.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 1592o

Title 42The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60