[HISTORY: Adopted by the Albany County Legislature 11-12-1996 by Res. No. 315a-1996. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Health Committee of the Albany County Legislature wishes
to be assured that the transition from public mental health clinics
to clinics operated by another health-care provider provides for the
needs of all individuals served by the public mental health clinic,
including those individuals covered by health insurance, Medicaid
or those who are uninsured.
The Albany County Legislature declares that the following policy
regarding the closing of public mental health clinics or any portion
thereof operated by Albany County shall be adopted.
The public mental health clinics or any portion thereof operated
by Albany County shall not be closed without compliance with the following
procedures:
A.
No public mental health clinic or any portion thereof shall be closed
without providing 30 days' notice to the Health Committee of the Albany
County Legislature, and approval of same by the full Albany County
Legislature by majority vote.
B.
No public mental health clinic or any portion thereof operated by
Albany County shall be closed without holding a public information
meeting in the community affected by the closing. Representatives
of the Albany County Mental Health Department shall be present to
provide information and respond to questions at this public information
meeting.
C.
No public mental health clinic or any portion thereof operated by
Albany County shall be closed without notification to the users of
said public clinic as reflected by the clinic's list of active patients,
and without referring those patients to alternative mental health
care service providers in the community served by the public clinic
to be closed.
