[Amended 7-1-2014 by L.L. No. 4-2014[2]]
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 5, Administrative Code, Art. XV.
[2]
Editor’s Note: This local law was approved by the County Legislature 8-7-2014 over the veto of the County Executive and was approved at referendum 11-4-2014.
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.