The Health and Environment Department was established by a legislative act in 1977 (1977 Laws of N.M., Chp. 253, Sec. 4). The same 1977 legislative act abolished the Health and Social Services Board; Health and Social Services Department; Hospitals and Institutions Board; Department of Hospitals and Institutions; and Environmental Improvement Agency and transferred their functions to the Health and Environment Department (1977 Laws of N.M., Chp. 253, Sec. 3 and 5). In 1991 a legislative act divided the Health and Environment Department into two separate agencies: the Department of Health, and the Environment Department (1991 Laws of N.M., Chp. 25, Sec. 14). The Health and Environment Department's purpose was to administer laws and programs designed to protect and promote New Mexico's environment and the health of its citizens.
From the description of New Mexico Health and Environment Department records, 1951-1987. (Santa Fe Public Library). WorldCat record id: 37819520
