39-1606. Meetings of governor's behavioral health services planning council; duties of council; visits to state psychiatric hospitals and other providers; annual reports. (a) The governor's behavioral health services planning council shall hold regular quarterly meetings and such other meetings as the chairperson of such council deems advisable, and in addition shall meet at such other times upon the call of the secretary.

(b) It is the duty of the governor's behavioral health services planning council to:

(1) Confer, advise and consult with the secretary with respect to the policies governing the management and operation of all state psychiatric hospitals and facilities and community based behavioral health services;

(2) serve as an advocate for targeted population members and other individuals with mental illness, behavioral health or emotional problems;

(3) monitor, review and evaluate, not less than once each year, the allocation and adequacy of behavioral health services within the state;

(4) perform such other planning, reviewing and evaluating of behavioral health services in this state, as may be requested by the secretary or as may be prescribed by law; and

(5) consult with and advise the governor, from time to time, with reference to the management, conduct and operation of state psychiatric hospitals and behavioral health programs.

(c) A member or members of the governor's behavioral health services planning council, at least once each year, shall visit each state psychiatric hospital and may visit other providers of community based behavioral health services for the purpose of inspecting the state psychiatric hospital, mental health center or the facility of other such providers of community based behavioral health services. Such visits shall be made at such times and in such manner as the council determines at a regular meeting.

(d) The governor's behavioral health services planning council shall make annual reports to the governor and the members of the legislature and may make such recommendations as it deems advisable for appropriate legislation.

History: L. 1990, ch. 92, § 6; L. 2013, ch. 54, § 2; July 1.