(a) Each mental health region established by the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services pursuant to section 17a-478 shall be advised by a regional mental health board. Each such board shall carry out its duties in accordance with regulations adopted by the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services and shall study the needs of the region and develop plans for improved and increased mental health services, and shall: (1) Together with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, plan, endeavor to stimulate and coordinate additional and expanded mental health services, review all applications for funds, make recommendations with respect thereto and transmit such recommendations to the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services and review and make specific recommendations to the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services concerning the annual budget of the region and state subsidies for regional mental health programs; (2) report their findings and conclusions annually to the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services together with recommendations for a comprehensive plan for the establishment or expansion of mental health services within the region; (3) receive and expend federal, state and local funds under the provisions of subsection (a) of section 17a-476 and sections 17a-478, 17a-479, 17a-480 and 17a-482 to 17a-484, inclusive; and (4) cooperate with federal comprehensive health planning agencies or their successors, established pursuant to United States Public Law 93-641, in planning comprehensive mental health services within its region.

(b) Any regional mental health board which is incorporated, or any combination of adjoining mental health boards which are incorporated, may apply to the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services for funds to carry out the provisions of subsection (a) of section 17a-476, sections 17a-478 and 17a-479, subsection (b) of section 17a-480 and sections 17a-482 to 17a-484, inclusive. Said commissioner shall, by regulation, establish minimum standards for eligibility of the regional mental health boards to receive state funds, which shall be accounted for annually to said commissioner.

(c) Each regional mental health board shall employ necessary staff which shall be funded through the office of the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services combined with funds from local sources. Such staff shall assist the catchment area councils as directed by such board.

(d) Each regional mental health board shall have a plan to ensure appropriate representation of persons representing alcohol and drug programs and of concerned individuals.

(P.A. 75-563, S. 6, 14; P.A. 76-435, S. 59, 82; P.A. 77-544, S. 12, 16; P.A. 78-166, S. 4, 6; P.A. 82-198, S. 5, 7; P.A. 86-371, S. 19, 45; P.A. 95-257, S. 11, 58; June 18 Sp.Sess. P.A. 97-8, S. 8, 88.)

History: P.A. 76-435 listed sections specifically applicable in Subsecs. (a) and (b); P.A. 77-544 added Subsec. (d) re representation of persons connected with alcohol and drug programs and of concerned individuals; P.A. 78-166 deleted reference to repealed Sec. 17-226; P.A. 82-198 eliminated reference to repealed Sec. 17-226m; P.A. 86-371 removed references to Sec. 17-226d concerning funds for services for drug-dependent and alcoholic persons; Sec. 17-226l transferred to Sec. 17a-484 in 1991; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Mental Health with Commissioner and Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, effective July 1, 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-8 substituted “Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services” for “regional mental health director” in Subsec. (a), effective July 1, 1997.

See Sec. 17a-478 re establishment of mental health regions.

See Secs. 17a-482 and 17a-680 for applicable definitions.