There shall be a Department of Mental Health, headed by a Commissioner
of Mental Health who shall be appointed by the County Executive for
the term of office for which the County Executive is elected, subject
to confirmation by the Legislature. In appointing the Commissioner
of Mental Health, the County Executive shall consult with the Community
Services Board. The Commissioner of Mental Health shall meet the qualifications
for the responsibilities of his or her office required by the Mental
Hygiene Law of this state.
Except as otherwise provided in this Charter, the Commissioner
of Mental Health shall have and exercise all the powers and duties
conferred or imposed upon a Director of Community Mental Health by
the Mental Hygiene Law or any other law. He or she shall perform such
other and related duties required by the County Executive.
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.
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 Executive and the Legislature
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
office of 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 required by the Legislature or the County Executive.