A.
There shall be a Department of Mental Health, headed
by a Commissioner of Mental Health. The Commissioner of Mental Health
shall be experienced in public mental health administration and meet
the qualifications for this position as specified in the New York
State Mental Hygiene Law and/or by the State Commissioner of Mental
Hygiene. He or she shall be appointed by the County Executive in consultation
with the Community Services Board and with confirmation by the County
Legislature and serve at his or her pleasure.
B.
Powers and duties. Except as otherwise provided in
the 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 or Community Services Board 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 of
15 members who have demonstrated interest in behavioral health services,
one member of whom must be a licensed physician and one of whom must
be a licensed physician or licensed psychologist. There shall be disability
subcommittees of nine members each, three members of whom must also
be currently serving Community Service Board members, who shall be
appointed by the County Executive after consideration of the recommendations
of the Community Services Board for terms of four years, subject to
confirmation by the Legislature. No Board member or subcommittee member
shall serve more than eight years. The Chairman of the Community Services
Board shall be selected by the members of the Board for a term of
one year.
A.
The Board shall advise the Commissioner of Mental
Health, the County Executive and the Legislature on matters relating
to the Department 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, posted on
the website of the County government, and be available for inspection
at the office of the Department of Mental Health and the County Executive
at all reasonable times. The Board shall also advise and consult 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.
B.
If a vacancy shall occur other than by expiration
of a term, it shall be filled by the County Executive for the balance
of the term in the same manner as the original appointment.
C.
Members of the Community Services Board shall receive
no compensation for services rendered but shall be entitled to their
reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their
duties, within appropriations made for such purposes.
