Whenever in his opinion the purposes of this subchapter would be promoted by a conference, the Surgeon General may invite representatives of as many State agencies, designated in accordance with section 291d of this title , to confer as he deems necessary or proper. A conference of the representatives of all such State agencies shall be called annually by the Surgeon General. Upon the application of five or more of such State agencies, it shall be the duty of the Surgeon General to call a conference of representatives of all State agencies joining in the request. (July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VI, § 642, formerly § 622, as added Pub. L. 88–443, § 3(a) , Aug. 18, 1964 , 78 Stat. 458 , and renumbered § 642, Pub. L. 91–296, title II, § 201 , June 30, 1970 , 84 Stat. 344 .) Editorial Notes Prior Provisions A prior section 291l, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VI, § 634, as added Aug. 13, 1946, ch. 958, § 2, 60 Stat. 1041 , contained provisions similar to this section, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 88–443 . 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 Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1966, 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 Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1966, 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 .