There shall be a Department of Mental Health, headed by a Commissioner of Mental Health. The method of choosing the Commissioner, as well as his qualifications, shall be as provided in § C9.01 of Article IX of the Charter.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Charter is included at the beginning of this volume.
A. 
The Commissioner of Mental Health shall have the powers and duties and shall be subject to all the obligations and liabilities heretofore and hereafter lawfully granted or imposed by the Charter, this code, local law, ordinance or resolution of the County Legislature or any applicable provision of any act of the State Legislature not inconsistent with the Charter and this code. He or she shall also perform such other related functions as the County Legislature or the County Executive may designate in order to implement and accomplish the policies and responsibilities the County Legislature has prescribed. Such powers and duties shall include but not be limited to any powers, duties, obligations or liabilities granted or imposed upon a Director of Community Mental Health Services and upon Community Mental Health Boards by the Mental Hygiene Law or any other law, except as otherwise provided by the Charter and this code.
B. 
The Commissioner of Mental Health shall be in charge of and coordinate the Mental Health Clinic, alcohol and drug abuse programs and all other facilities, services and programs relating to community mental health heretofore or hereafter established by the County Legislature, and he or she shall perform such other and related duties required by the County Executive.
[1]
Editor's Note: See § C9.02 of the Charter.
On or before March 1 in each year, the Commissioner of Mental Health shall make an annual report for the immediately preceding calendar year, covering generally the work of his or her Department. The Commissioner shall make such other reports at such times as may be required by the County Legislature, County Executive, the Mental Hygiene Law or other applicable law and the New York State Department of Mental Hygiene. All reports shall be filed with the Clerk to the County Legislature and the County Executive.
A. 
There shall be a Community Services Board and subcommittees, constituted in accordance with the Mental Hygiene Law, whose members shall be appointed by the County Executive, subject to confirmation by the Legislature.
B. 
The Commissioner of Health and the Commissioner of Social Services shall serve as ex officio members of the Board. The Chairperson of such Board shall be selected by the members of the Board for a term of one year. The Board shall advise the County Legislature and the County Executive in matters relating to the powers and duties of the Commissioner of Mental Health. The members of the Board shall further have the power to inspect and review all facilities and programs of the Department of Mental Health, with or without notice to the Commissioner of Mental Health, and may report and make recommendations to the County Executive, County Legislature and Commissioner of Mental Health. All such reports shall be deemed public records and available for inspection at the offices of the Clerk to the Legislature and the County Executive at all reasonable times. The Board shall also advise and consult with the Capital Projects Committee with respect to all capital projects necessary for the Department of Mental Health. The Board shall have and exercise such other and related duties as required by the County Legislature or the County Executive.
C. 
The members of such Board shall receive no salary or compensation for their services but shall, within the appropriations provided therefor, be entitled to actual and necessary disbursements and expenses in performing the duties of their office.
The Commissioner of Mental Health shall organize the Department of Mental Health in such a manner as may be necessary to perform and direct such mental health functions, programs, commitments, services and/or facilities as may be provided within the budgetary appropriations therefor by the County Legislature.
A. 
The Commissioner of Mental Health, within the appropriations provided therefor, shall appoint such officers, assistants and/or employees in his or her Department, including such actual deputy positions as may be authorized and budgeted, as shall be authorized by the County Legislature. All Deputy Commissioners of Mental Health shall serve at the pleasure of the Commissioner of Mental Health, subject to all applicable provisions of New York State law.
B. 
The Commissioner of Mental Health shall designate and deputize a deputy or deputies to whom shall be delegated all the powers and duties of the Commissioner of Mental Health and the authority to act generally for and in place of said Commissioner of Mental Health.
C. 
The designation or designations shall be in writing and shall designate the relative rank of the deputies, including the order of temporary succession to the duties of the Commissioner of Mental Health during absence, disability or otherwise and also may delegate among them such powers and duties as he or she may determine. The designation(s) and delegations shall be in writing and filed in the Department of Records, and copies thereof shall be filed with the Clerk to the County Legislature and with the County Executive.