36-502. Powers and duties of the director of AHCCCS; rules; expenditure limitation

A. The director shall make rules that include standards for agencies other than the state hospital when providing services and shall prescribe forms as may be necessary for the proper administration and enforcement of this chapter. The rules shall be applicable to patients admitted to or treated in agencies, other than the state hospital, as set forth in this chapter and shall provide for periodic inspections of such agencies.

B. The director shall make rules concerning the admission of patients and the transfer of patients between mental health treatment agencies other than the state hospital. A patient undergoing court-ordered treatment may be transferred from one mental health treatment agency to another in accordance with the rules of the director, subject to the approval of the court.

C. The director may make rules concerning leaves, visits and absences of patients from evaluation agencies and mental health treatment agencies other than the state hospital.

D. The total amount of state monies that may be spent in any fiscal year by the administration for mental health services pursuant to this chapter may not exceed the amount appropriated or authorized by section 35-173 for that purpose. This chapter does not impose a duty on an officer, agent or employee of this state to discharge a responsibility or create any right in a person or group if the discharge or right would require an expenditure of state monies in excess of the expenditure authorized by legislative appropriation for that specific purpose.