GENERAL DUTIES.

(a) Subject to the availability of funds, the department, in consultation with the consortium and local health units, local health departments, and public health districts, shall:

(1) develop curricula to provide training to public health workers;

(2) conduct research on improving health status outcomes and methods of monitoring those outcomes;

(3) develop performance standards for local health units, local health departments, and public health districts;

(4) develop competency certification standards for public health workers; and

(5) study the technology infrastructure available to local health units, local health departments, and public health districts and improve the use of this infrastructure to permit:

(A) statewide communication relating to disease surveillance and reporting of public health information; and

(B) immediate access to public health information and collaboration among public health professionals.

(b) The training curricula described by Subsection (a)(1) may include training for local health authorities.