Sec. 17a-450a. Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Successor to the Department of Mental Health and to the addiction services component
of the former Department of Public Health and Addiction Services. (a) The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall constitute a successor department
to the Department of Mental Health. Whenever the words "Commissioner of Mental
Health" are used or referred to in the following general statutes, the words "Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services" shall be substituted in lieu thereof
and whenever the words "Department of Mental Health" are used or referred to in the
following general statutes, the words "Department of Mental Health and Addiction
Services" shall be substituted in lieu thereof: 2c-2b, 4-5, 4-38c, 4-60i, 4-77a, 4a-12, 4a-16, 5-142, 8-206d, 10-19, 10-71, 10-76d, 17a-14, 17a-26, 17a-31, 17a-33, 17a-218, 17a-246, 17a-450, 17a-451, 17a-452, 17a-453, 17a-454, 17a-455, 17a-456, 17a-457, 17a-458, 17a-459, 17a-460, 17a-463, 17a-464, 17a-465, 17a-466, 17a-467, 17a-468, 17a-470, 17a-471, 17a-472, 17a-473, 17a-474, 17a-476, 17a-478, 17a-479, 17a-480, 17a-481, 17a-482, 17a-483, 17a-484, 17a-498, 17a-499, 17a-502, 17a-506, 17a-510, 17a-511, 17a-512, 17a-513, 17a-519, 17a-528, 17a-560, 17a-561, 17a-562, 17a-565, 17a-576, 17a-581, 17a-582, 17a-675, 17b-28, 17b-222, 17b-223, 17b-225, 17b-359, 17b-420, 17b-694, 19a-82, 19a-495, 19a-498, 19a-507a, 19a-507c, 19a-576, 19a-583, 20-14i, 20-14j, 21a-240, 21a-301, 27-122a, 31-222, 38a-514, 46a-28, 51-51o, 52-146h and
54-56d.
(b) The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall constitute a
successor department to the addiction services component of the Department of Public
Health and Addiction Services. Whenever the words "Commissioner of Public Health
and Addiction Services" are used or referred to in the following general statutes, the
words "Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services" shall be substituted
in lieu thereof and whenever the words "Department of Public Health and Addiction
Services" are used or referred to in the following general statutes, the words "Department
of Mental Health and Addiction Services" shall be substituted in lieu thereof: 4a-12,
17a-3, 17a-465a, 17a-670 to 17a-676, inclusive, 17a-678 to 17a-682, inclusive, 17a-684 to 17a-687, inclusive, 17a-691, 17a-694, 17a-710, 17a-712, 17a-713 19a-89c, 20-74o, 20-74p, 20-74q, 21a-274a, 54-36i and 54-56g.
(c) Any order or regulation of the Department of Mental Health or the addiction
services component of the Department of Public Health and Addiction Services that is
in force on July 1, 1995, shall continue in force and effect as an order or regulation of
the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services until amended, repealed or
superseded pursuant to law. Where any order or regulation of the departments conflict,
the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services may implement policies
and procedures consistent with the provisions of public act 95-257* while in the process
of adopting the policy or procedure in regulation form, provided notice of intention to
adopt the regulations is printed in the Connecticut Law Journal within twenty days of
implementation. The policy or procedure shall be valid until the time final regulations
are effective.
(P.A. 95-257, S. 5, 11, 58; P.A. 98-247, S. 12; P.A. 99-284, S. 56, 60; P.A. 02-89, S. 27; 02-123, S. 8.)
*Public act 95-257 is entitled "An Act Concerning the Consolidation of State-Operated Programs at Fairfield Hills,
Norwich and Connecticut Valley Hospitals, Transfer of Addiction Services to the Former Department of Mental Health,
Medicaid Waiver and the Office of Health Care Access". (See Reference Table captioned "Public Acts of 1995" in Volume
16 which lists the sections amended, created or repealed by the act.)
History: P.A. 95-257, S. 5 and 11 effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 98-247 repealed Sec. 20-74r and specifically authorized
deletion of reference to Sec. 20-74r in this section; P.A. 99-284 deleted obsolete reference to Sec. 38a-539 and made a
technical change in Subsec. (a), effective January 1, 2000; P.A. 02-89 amended Subsec. (a) to delete reference to Sec. 22a-224, reflecting the repeal of said section by the same public act; P.A. 02-123 amended Subsec. (a) to delete reference to
repealed Sec. 13b-38n, effective June 7, 2002.
Sec. 17a-451. (Formerly Sec. 17-210a). Commissioner of Mental Health and
Addiction Services. Duties. Regulations re fair hearing process. (a) The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall be a qualified person with a masters
degree or higher in a health-related field and at least ten years' experience in hospital,
health, mental health or substance abuse administration.
(b) The commissioner shall be the executive head of the Department of Mental
Health and Addiction Services.
(c) The commissioner shall prepare and issue regulations for the administration and
operation of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and all state-operated facilities and community programs providing care for persons with psychiatric
disabilities or persons with substance abuse disabilities, or both.
(d) The commissioner shall coordinate the community programs receiving state
funds with programs of state-operated facilities for the treatment of persons with psychiatric disabilities or persons with substance abuse disabilities, or both.
(e) The commissioner shall collaborate and cooperate with other state agencies providing services for mentally disordered children and adults with psychiatric disabilities
or persons with substance abuse disabilities, or persons with both disabilities, and shall
coordinate the activities of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
with the activities of said agencies.
(f) (1) The commissioner shall establish and enforce standards and policies for the
care and treatment of persons with psychiatric disabilities or persons with substance
abuse disabilities, or both, in public and private facilities which are consistent with other
health care standards and may make any inquiry, investigation or examination of records
of such facilities as may be necessary for the purpose of investigating the occurrence
of any serious injury or unexpected death involving any person who has within one year
of such occurrence received services for the care and treatment of such disabilities from
a state-operated facility or a community program receiving state funds. (2) The findings
of any such inquiry, investigation or examination of records conducted pursuant to this
subsection shall not be subject to disclosure pursuant to section 1-210, nor shall such
findings be subject to discovery or introduction into evidence in any civil action arising
out of such serious injury or unexpected death. (3) Except as to the finding provided
in subdivision (2) of this subsection, nothing in this subsection shall be construed as
restricting disclosure of the confidential communications or records upon which such
findings are based, where such disclosure is otherwise provided for by law.
(g) The commissioner shall establish and direct research, training, and evaluation
programs.
(h) The commissioner shall develop a state-wide plan for the development of mental
health services which identifies needs and outlines procedures for meeting these needs.
(i) The commissioner shall be responsible for the coordination of all activities in
the state relating to substance abuse disabilities and treatment, including activities of
the Departments of Children and Families, Correction, Public Health, Social Services
and Veterans' Affairs, the judicial branch and any other department or entity providing
services to persons with substance abuse disabilities.
(j) The commissioner shall be responsible for developing and implementing the
Connecticut comprehensive plan for prevention, treatment and reduction of alcohol and
drug abuse problems to be known as the state substance abuse plan. The plan shall
include state-wide, long-term planning goals and objectives and annual revisions of
objectives. In the development of the substance abuse plan the commissioner shall solicit
and consider the recommendations of the subregional planning and action councils established under section 17a-671.
(k) The commissioner shall prepare a consolidated budget request for the operation
of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
(l) The commissioner shall appoint professional, technical and other personnel necessary for the proper discharge of the commissioner's duties, subject to the provisions
of chapter 67.
(m) The commissioner shall from time to time adjust the geographic territory to be
served by the facilities and programs under the commissioner's jurisdiction.
(n) The commissioner shall specify uniform methods of keeping statistical information by public and private agencies, organizations and individuals, including a client
identifier system, and collect and make available relevant statistical information, including the number of persons treated, demographic and clinical information about such
persons, frequency of admission and readmission, frequency and duration of treatment,
level or levels of care provided and discharge and referral information. The commissioner shall also require all facilities that provide prevention or treatment of alcohol or
drug abuse or dependence that are operated or funded by the state or licensed under
sections 19a-490 to 19a-503, inclusive, to implement such methods. The commissioner
shall report any licensed facility that fails to report to the licensing authority. The client
identifier system shall be subject to the confidentiality requirements set forth in section
17a-688 and regulations adopted thereunder.
(o) The commissioner shall establish uniform policies and procedures for collecting, standardizing, managing and evaluating data related to substance use, abuse and
addiction programs administered by state agencies, state-funded community-based programs and the judicial branch, including, but not limited to: (1) The use of prevention,
education, treatment and criminal justice services related to substance use, abuse and
addiction; (2) client demographic and substance use, abuse and addiction information;
and (3) the quality and cost effectiveness of substance use, abuse and addiction services.
The commissioner shall, in consultation with the Secretary of the Office of Policy and
Management, ensure that the judicial branch, all state agencies and state-funded community-based programs with substance use, abuse and addiction programs or services comply with such policies and procedures. Notwithstanding any other provision of the general statutes concerning confidentiality, the commissioner, within available
appropriations, shall establish and maintain a central repository for such substance use,
abuse and addiction program and service data from the judicial branch, state agencies
and state-funded community-based programs administering substance use, abuse and
addiction programs and services. The central repository shall not disclose any data that
reveals the personal identification of any individual. The Connecticut Alcohol and Drug
Policy Council established pursuant to section 17a-667 shall have access to the central
repository for aggregate analysis. The commissioner shall submit a biennial report to
the General Assembly, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, the Office
of Policy and Management and the Connecticut Alcohol and Drug Policy Council. The
report shall include, but need not be limited to, a summary of: (A) Client and patient
demographic information; (B) trends and risks factors associated with alcohol and drug
use, abuse and dependence; (C) effectiveness of services based on outcome measures;
and (D) a state-wide cost analysis.
(p) The commissioner may contract for services to be provided for the department
or by the department for the prevention of mental illness or substance abuse in persons,
as well as other mental health or substance abuse services described in section 17a-478
and shall consult with providers of such services in developing methods of service
delivery.
(q) (1) The commissioner may make available to municipalities, nonprofit community organizations or self help groups any services, premises and property under the
control of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services but shall be under
no obligation to continue to make such property available in the event the department
permanently vacates a facility. Such services, premises and property may be utilized
by such municipalities, nonprofit community organizations or self help groups in any
manner not inconsistent with the intended purposes for such services, premises and
property. The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall submit to
the Commissioner of Administrative Services any agreement for provision of services
by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to municipalities, nonprofit
community organizations or self help groups for approval of such agreement prior to
the provision of services pursuant to this subsection.
(2) The municipality, nonprofit community organization or self help group using
any premises and property of the department shall be liable for any damage or injury
which occurs on the premises and property and shall furnish to the Commissioner of
Mental Health and Addiction Services proof of financial responsibility to satisfy claims
for damages on account of any physical injury or property damage which may be suffered
while the municipality, nonprofit community organization or self help group is using
the premises and property of the department in such amount as the commissioner determines to be necessary. The state of Connecticut shall not be liable for any damage or
injury sustained on the premises and property of the department while the premises and
property are being utilized by any municipality, nonprofit community organization or
self help group.
(3) The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to carry out the provisions of this subsection. As
used in this subsection, "self help group" means a group of volunteers, approved by the
commissioner, who offer peer support to each other in recovering from an addiction.
(r) The commissioner shall prepare an annual report for the Governor.
(s) The commissioner shall perform all other duties which are necessary and proper
for the operation of the department.
(t) The commissioner may direct clinical staff at Department of Mental Health and
Addiction Services facilities or in crisis intervention programs funded by the department
who are providing treatment to a patient to request disclosure, to the extent allowed
under state and federal law, of the patient's record of previous treatment in order to
accomplish the objectives of diagnosis, treatment or referral of the patient. If the clinical
staff in possession of the requested record determines that disclosure would assist the
accomplishment of the objectives of diagnosis, treatment or referral, the record may be
disclosed, to the extent allowed under state and federal law, to the requesting clinical
staff without patient consent. Records disclosed shall be limited to records maintained
at department facilities or crisis intervention programs funded by the department. The
Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 to administer the provisions of this subsection and to ensure
maximum safeguards of patient confidentiality.
(u) The commissioner shall adopt regulations to establish a fair hearing process
which provides the right to appeal final determinations of the Department of Mental
Health and Addiction Services or of its grantee agencies as determined by the commissioner regarding: The nature of denial, involuntary reduction or termination of services.
Such hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, after
a person has exhausted the department's established grievance procedure. Any matter
which falls within the jurisdiction of the Psychiatric Security Review Board under sections 17a-580 to 17a-603, inclusive, shall not be subject to the provisions of this section.
Any person receiving services from a Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services facility or a grantee agency determined by the commissioner to be subject to this
subsection and who is aggrieved by a violation of sections 17a-540 to 17a-549, inclusive,
may elect to either use the procedure specified in this subsection or file for remedies
under section 17a-550.
(1972, P.A. 145, S. 3; P.A. 74-165, S. 1, 2; P.A. 75-479, S. 17, 25; 75-603, S. 3-6, 15; P.A. 76-73; 76-285, S. 2, 3; 76-339, S. 3, 5; P.A. 77-614, S. 70, 610; P.A. 88-317, S. 72, 107; P.A. 90-76, S. 1, 2; 90-271, S. 13, 24; May Sp. Sess. P.A.
92-16, S. 40, 89; P.A. 94-204, S. 1; P.A. 95-257, S. 14, 58; P.A. 96-4, S. 1, 2; P.A. 99-178, S. 2; 99-234, S. 2; 99-273; P.A.
01-27; P.A. 02-9, S. 2, 3.)
History: P.A. 74-165 included in Subsec. (l) services for prevention of mental illness; P.A. 75-479 added Subsec. (p)
re parent-child resource system; P.A. 75-603 revised Subsecs. (c), (d), (f) and (l) to apply only to adults and added reference
to "mental disorders" in Subsec. (l); P.A. 76-73 made services available to municipalities or nonprofit community organizations as well as "premises and property" and required approval of finance and control commissioner before services are
provided in Subsec. (m); P.A. 76-285 and 76-339 deleted reference to mental disorders in Subsec. (l) and added "other
mental health services described in Sec. 17-226e" and deleted Subsec. (p); P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of finance
and control with commissioner of administrative services; P.A. 88-317 amended reference to Secs. 4-166 to 4-174 in
Subsec. (m) to include new section added to Ch. 54, effective July 1, 1989, and applicable to all agency proceedings
commencing on or after that date; P.A. 90-76 added Subsec. (p) re disclosure of patient records; P.A. 90-271 made a
technical change; Sec. 17-210a transferred to Sec. 17a-451 in 1991; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16 amended Subsec. (l) by
adding "and shall consult with providers of such services in developing methods of service delivery"; P.A. 94-204 added
new Subsec. (q) to require commissioner to adopt regulations to establish a fair-hearing process; P.A. 95-257 replaced
Commissioner of Mental Health with Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, added to the minimum
qualifications a masters degree or higher in a health related field, required the experience be for at least ten years and
allowed it to be in substance abuse administration, replaced mental disorder with psychiatric and substance abuse disability,
added Subsec. (i) re coordination responsibilities, inserted new Subsec. (j) re state substance abuse plan and new Subsec.
(n) re statistical information, relettering prior Subsecs. as necessary, amended Subsec. (o) to include services "to be provided
for the department or by the department", added to Subsec. (p) the provision re no obligation to continue to make property
available and limited disclosure under Subsec. (s) "to the extent allowed under state and federal law", effective July 1,
1995; P.A. 96-4 amended Subsec. (t) by adding reference to the department's "Mental Health Division", effective April
22, 1996; P.A. 99-178 amended Subsec. (f) by dividing it into subdivisions, adding provisions re inquiry concerning serious
injury or death to Subdiv. (1) and adding Subdivs. (2) re findings and (3) re exception; P.A. 99-234 amended Subsec. (t)
by deleting obsolete reference to department's mental health division and made technical changes; P.A. 99-273 amended
Subsec. (n) by adding reference to "demographic and clinical information", "levels of care provided" and "discharge and
referral information", modifying "facilities" by adding reference to "prevention", "abuse" and "operated or funded by the
state" and by requiring commissioner to report "failure to report to the licensing authority", added new Subsec. (o) re
collection and reporting of data, relettered the remaining Subsecs. and made technical changes; P.A. 01-27 amended Subsec.
(q) by adding provisions re self help groups and making technical changes; P.A. 02-9 amended Subsec. (o) by changing
requirement for commissioner's reporting to the General Assembly from annual to biennial and amended Subsec. (t) to
allow disclosure of referrals of patients.
See Sec. 19a-6c re Tobacco Abuse Reduction and Health Plan.
See Secs. 20-14i to 20-14j, inclusive, re administration of medication in day and residential programs and facilities.
See Sec. 52-146f re consent of patient to disclosure of records.
Annotation to former section 17-210a:
Subsec. (b):
Cited. 185 C. 517, 526.
Sec. 17a-451a. Closure of state-operated programs at Fairfield Hills Hospital
and at Norwich Hospital and consolidation of programs at Connecticut Valley
Hospital. Private provider services. The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall develop a plan for the closure of the state-operated programs at
Fairfield Hills Hospital and at Norwich Hospital and the consolidation of the programs
at Connecticut Valley Hospital. The plan shall accommodate the present on-site operation of the private providers currently providing substance abuse services on the Fairfield
Hills and Norwich Hospital campuses and shall assist in the coordination of finding
locations within the area for such services. The plan shall make provisions for the availability of state-operated in-patient services for persons with substance abuse disabilities
in the geographic areas formerly served by the Fairfield Hills Hospital and the Norwich
Hospital. The commissioner shall submit monthly reports on the development and implementation of the plan developed under subsection (a) of this section to the committees
of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health and
appropriations.
(P.A. 95-257, S. 1, 58.)
History: P.A. 95-257, S. 1 effective July 1, 1995.
Sec. 17a-451b. Consolidation of inpatient mental health and substance abuse
services at Connecticut Valley Hospital: Exemption from certain approval requirements. (a) As used in this section:
(1) "Consolidation program" means the process of consolidating inpatient mental
health and substance abuse services throughout the state at the Connecticut Valley Hospital in Middletown; and
(2) "Priority state hospital facility project" or "project" means each step, part or
aspect of the consolidation program. "Project" includes, but is not limited to, repairing,
renovating, enlarging or equipping existing buildings, or constructing new buildings,
on the grounds of the Connecticut Valley Hospital.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of the general statutes or any special act, the
consolidation program, each project, each closure and each contract entered into in
connection with a project shall be exempt from the provisions of sections 4b-57, 4b-58
and 4b-91 and from the requirements for approval of a request or application provided
for in section 19a-638 and in subsection (a) of section 19a-639, provided (1) the project
begins no later than June 30, 1999; (2) the project is completed no later than December
31, 2002; (3) the cost of the project does not exceed thirty-six million dollars; and (4)
the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services certifies in writing to the
Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management that the project meets the criteria of
public act 95-257* and upon such certification the Secretary of the Office of Policy and
Management shall authorize the Commissioner of Public Works to implement such
project.
(P.A. 95-257, S. 6, 58; P.A. 97-94, S. 1, 2; P.A. 98-150, S. 10, 17; P.A. 02-23, S. 1.)
*Public act 95-257 is entitled "An Act Concerning the Consolidation of State-Operated Programs at Fairfield Hills,
Norwich and Connecticut Valley Hospitals, Transfer of Addiction Services to the Former Department of Mental Health,
Medicaid Waiver and the Office of Health Care Access". (See Reference Table captioned "Public Acts of 1995" in Volume
16 which lists the sections amended, created or repealed by the act.)
History: P.A. 95-257, S. 6 effective June 12, 1995 (Revisor's note: A reference to "Commission of Public Works" was
replaced editorially by the Revisors with "Commissioner of Public Works" to correct a clerical error); P.A. 97-94 added
reference to Sec. 4b-57 in Subsec. (b), changed 1998 and 2000 to 1999 and 2002 in Subdiv. (1) and (2) of Subsec. (b) and
in Subdiv. (3) of Subsec. (b) changed limit on cost of project from twenty to thirty-six million, effective July 1, 1997; P.A.
98-150 made a technical change to Subsec. (b) re reference to Sec. 19a-638, effective June 5, 1998; P.A. 02-23 amended
Subsec. (b)(2) to extend completion date of project from no later than June 30, 2002, to no later than December 31, 2002,
effective May 6, 2002.
Sec. 17a-451c. Relocation of former Norwich Hospital tenants. Exemption
from certain project approval requirements. Section 17a-451c is repealed, effective
October 1, 2002.
(P.A. 96-158, S. 2, 3; P.A. 98-150, S. 11, 17; S.A. 02-12, S. 1.)
Sec. 17a-451d. Nonlapsing fund for site acquisition, capital development and
infrastructure costs to provide services to persons with mental retardation or psychiatric disabilities. There is established a nonlapsing fund that shall contain (1) any
moneys received by the state from the sale, lease or transfer of all or any part of Norwich
Hospital or any regional center that takes place after January 1, 2001, and (2) any other
moneys required by law to be deposited in a separate account within the General Fund
for purposes of this section, section 17a-212a or 17a-283a or section 4 of public act 01-154*. The Treasurer shall credit the fund with its investment earnings. Any balance
remaining in said fund at the end of any fiscal year shall be carried forward in the fund
for the fiscal year next succeeding. The principal and interest of the fund shall be used
solely for the purpose of site acquisition, capital development and infrastructure costs
necessary to provide services to persons with mental retardation or psychiatric disabilities, provided amounts in the fund may be expended only pursuant to appropriation by
the General Assembly.
(P.A. 01-154, S. 2, 5; P.A. 04-216, S. 69.)
*Note: Section 4 of public act 01-154 is special in nature and therefore has not been codified but remains in full force
and effect according to its terms.
History: P.A. 01-154 effective July 6, 2001; P.A. 04-216 deleted provision that earmarked money from the sale, lease
or transfer of Fairfield Hills Hospital for the fund established under section, effective May 6, 2004.
Sec. 17a-451e. Sale, lease or transfer of Fairfield Hills Hospital. Use of moneys.
Any moneys received by the state from the sale, lease or transfer of all or any part
of Fairfield Hills Hospital shall be allocated to the Department of Mental Health and
Addiction Services and shall be divided equally between the General Fund accounts for
the Community Mental Health Strategy Board and grants for mental health services.
(P.A. 04-216, S. 70.)
History: P.A. 04-216 effective May 6, 2004.
Sec. 17a-451f. Nonlapsing mental health services grants account. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 17a-451e, the funds required by said section 17a-451e to be allocated to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services for
grants for mental health services shall be deposited in a separate, nonlapsing account
established within the General Fund. Said account shall be the mental health services
grants account, and shall contain any other moneys required by law to be deposited in
said account. The moneys in said account shall be expended as provided by law.
(P.A. 258, S. 36.)
History: P.A. 04-258 effective July 1, 2004.
Sec. 17a-452. (Formerly Sec. 17-210b). Deputy commissioners. (a) There shall
be two deputy commissioners of mental health and addiction services appointed by the
commissioner with the advice of the Board of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
The deputy commissioner for mental health services shall hold a master's degree or
higher, shall have a minimum of ten years' experience in business, hospital, health or
mental health administration and shall be responsible for the supervision of medical and
other treatment activities of the Division of Mental Health. The deputy commissioner
for addiction services shall hold a master's degree or higher, shall have a minimum of
ten years' experience in the prevention and treatment of substance abuse and shall be
knowledgeable in substance abuse program planning and administration and shall be
responsible for the supervision and coordination of all substance abuse activities of the
department and with other departments.
(b) There shall be a medical director appointed by the Commissioner of Mental
Health and Addiction Services with the advice of the Board of Mental Health and Addiction Services. The medical director shall be a qualified physician licensed to practice
medicine in Connecticut and shall have experience in comprehensive health care or
human services operations. The medical director shall be responsible for (1) the quality
and appropriateness of services by developing policies relating to clinical services regulated by the department and those services delivered in department facilities or under
contract to the department; (2) directing a standards and quality assurance program, a
utilization review program, a physician recruitment and retention program and a peer
review program for physicians and other clinical staff employed by or under contract
to the department; and (3) other tasks as directed by the commissioner.
(1972, P.A. 145, S. 4; P.A. 95-257, S. 15, 58.)
History: Sec. 17-210b transferred to Sec. 17a-452 in 1991; P.A. 95-257 replaced mental health with mental health and
addiction services, eliminated the requirement that one of the two deputy commissioners be a psychiatrist, requiring instead
a master's degree or higher, required the experience be for a minimum of ten years and added "business" as one of the
areas of administration experience, eliminated the requirement that the other deputy commissioner be for administrative
services, requiring instead that he be for addiction services and set forth the qualifications, and added Subsec. (b) re a
medical director, effective July 1, 1995.
Sec. 17a-453. (Formerly Sec. 17-219). Administration of Mental Health Act
authorized by Congress. Funds. The Department of Mental Health and Addiction
Services is designated as the state agency to administer the Mental Health Act as authorized under Public Law 487 of the 79th Congress, as from time to time amended, and
shall receive and distribute federal and state funds which become available for mental
health services under said act.
(1949 Rev., S. 3828; 1955, S. 1540d; P.A. 95-257, S. 11, 58; P.A. 01-195, S. 135, 181.)
History: Sec. 17-219 transferred to Sec. 17a-453 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; P.A.
01-195 made technical changes, effective July 11, 2001.
Sec. 17a-453a. Operation of behavioral health managed care program for recipients of medical services under the state-administered general assistance program. (a) The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall operate a
behavioral health managed care program, within available appropriations, to: (1) Provide consistent and appropriate treatment to eligible recipients; (2) reduce treatment
costs for such recipients; (3) eliminate duplicated services provided to such recipients;
and (4) assist such recipients in applying for federally funded programs. Said commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement said program.
For purposes of this section "eligible recipient" means an individual eligible for medical
services under the state-administered general assistance program, pursuant to section
17b-192, and in need of behavioral health services, as determined by the Department
of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Notwithstanding section 17a-476, 17a-676,
17b-192 or any other provision of the general statutes, services provided under the
behavioral health managed care program established by this section shall not be restricted to services offered under the Medicaid program. The Department of Mental
Health and Addiction Services shall be responsible for all services and payments related
to the provision of the behavioral health services for eligible recipients and may conduct
an audit of all aspects of the program established by this section including, but not
limited to, services provided, prior authorizations, payments for services and medical
records. The commissioner shall analyze the results of such audits to identify discrepancies and errors with regard to services and payments and areas that involve program
implementation and operation problems. The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in
accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, concerning the recovery of reimbursements made to providers based on audit findings and setting such progressive sanctions
as the commissioner deems appropriate for any providers found, as a result of an audit,
not to be in compliance with the standards established pursuant to this section. The
regulations shall include a provision allowing the commissioner to take action to withhold reimbursement for any such provider and shall provide for a grace period before
a sanction is imposed. A provider may appeal a decision of the commissioner to withhold
reimbursements or to impose a sanction in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.
(b) The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall implement
policies and procedures necessary for the purposes of this section while in the process
of adopting such policies and procedures in regulation form, provided the commissioner
prints a notice of intention to adopt the regulations in the Connecticut Law Journal
not later than twenty days prior to implementing such policies and procedures. The
commissioner shall submit a report on such policies and procedures each month to
the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
concerning public health and human services and to the Secretary of the Office of Policy
and Management until final regulations are submitted to the legislative regulation review
committee not later than April 1, 1998. Policies and procedures implemented pursuant
to this subsection shall be valid until the time final regulations are effective.
(c) On and after July 1, 1998, the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction
Services shall expand the program established by this section to include services that
provide basic needs support to assist in the restoration of functioning of recipients determined eligible by the Department of Social Services.
(d) Providers of services and provider networks under the program established by
this section shall be approved by the commissioner in accordance with criteria established by the commissioner, which shall include, but not be limited to, minimum reserve
fund requirements.
(P.A. 95-194, S. 18, 33; 95-257, S. 11, 58; P.A. 97-143, S. 3, 4; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-8, S. 10, 88; June 30 Sp.
Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 47.)
History: P.A. 95-194, S. 18 effective July 1, 1995 (Revisor's note: P.A. 95-257 authorized substitution of "Commissioner
of Mental Health and Addiction Services" for "Commissioner of Mental Health", effective July 1, 1995); P.A. 97-143
made program permanent by deleting the term "pilot", effective June 13, 1997; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-8 amended
Subsec. (a) to establish a behavioral health managed care program and added Subsecs. (b) to (d), inclusive, for the same
purpose, effective July 1, 1997; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3 amended Subsec. (a) to redefine "eligible recipient" as an
"individual eligible for medical services under the state-administered general assistance program" and make a technical
change, effective August 20, 2003.
Sec. 17a-453b. Waiver from federal law sought for services provided under
section 17a-453a. The Commissioner of Social Services and the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall seek a waiver from federal law for the purposes
of conducting community based services for rehabilitation and restoration of functions
for persons eligible under the behavioral health managed care program established by
section 17a-453a.
(June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-8, S. 55, 88.)
History: June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-8 effective July 1, 1997.
Sec. 17a-453c. "Project Safe" interagency collaboration. There shall be an interagency collaboration, to be known as "Project Safe", between the Department of
Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Department of Children and Families,
for the evaluation of and service delivery to families identified by the Department of
Children and Families as requiring substance abuse and other behavioral health services.
Such collaboration shall include, but not be limited to, evaluations, service needs, service
delivery, housing, medical coverage, vocation and employment support and other related recovery support services. The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction
Services and the Commissioner of Children and Families shall enter into a written memorandum of understanding to carry out the interagency collaboration required under this
section. The Department of Social Services and the Labor Department may participate
in such collaboration as necessary on a case-by-case basis.
(P.A. 00-216, S. 9, 28.)
History: P.A. 00-216 effective July 1, 2000.
Sec. 17a-453d. Transitional behavioral heath services available to certain reservists and their dependents. The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, in collaboration with the Department of Children and Families, shall provide
behavioral health services, on a transitional basis, for the dependents and any member
of any reserve component of the armed forces of the United States who has been called
to active service in the armed forces of this state or the United States for Operation
Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. Such transitional services shall be provided when no Department of Defense coverage for such services is available or such
member is not eligible for such services through the Department of Defense, until an
approved application is received from the federal Department of Veterans' Affairs and
coverage is available to such member and such member's dependents.
(P.A. 04-258, S. 34.)
History: P.A. 04-258 effective July 1, 2004.
Sec. 17a-454. (Formerly Sec. 17-220). Acceptance of gift or devise by Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services. The Commissioner of Mental Health
and Addiction Services may accept and receive, on behalf of the Department of Mental
Health and Addiction Services, any bequest or gift of personal property and, subject to
the consent of the Governor and Attorney General as provided in section 4b-22, any
devise or gift of real property made to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction
Services, and may hold and use such property for the purposes, if any, specified in
connection with such bequest, devise or gift.
(1955, S. 1529d; P.A. 95-257, S. 11, 58.)
History: Sec. 17-220 transferred to Sec. 17a-454 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.
Sec. 17a-455. (Formerly Sec. 17-221). Acceptance of gift or devise on behalf
of state-operated facility within the Department of Mental Health and Addiction
Services. The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services may accept and
receive, on behalf of any state-operated facility within the Department of Mental Health
and Addiction Services, any bequest or gift of personal property and, subject to the
consent of the Governor and Attorney General as provided in section 4b-22, any devise
or gift of real property made to such facility, and may hold and use such property for
the purposes, if any, specified in connection with such bequest, devise or gift.
(1955, S. 1534d; 1957, P.A. 47; P.A. 75-603, S. 7, 15; P.A. 77-31; P.A. 95-257, S. 11, 58.)
History: P.A. 75-603 replaced listing of specific facilities for which provisions are applicable with reference to any
institution in department of mental health; P.A. 77-31 revised section so that commissioner has power to accept gifts, etc.
rather than individual boards of trustees and replaced "institution" with "state-operated facility"; Sec. 17-221 transferred
to Sec. 17a-455 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.
Sec. 17a-455a. Lease of private residence for a person receiving services from
the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services may, within available appropriations, enter into a lease or other rental agreement
for an apartment, home or similar private residence on behalf of and for occupancy by
a person receiving services from the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services if the commissioner determines that such person is unable to lease or rent such
apartment, home or similar private residence on such person's own behalf. Any such
lease or rental agreement shall not exceed the fair market price for the area in which
such apartment, home or similar private residence is located.
(P.A. 01-64.)
Sec. 17a-456. (Formerly Sec. 17-207). Board of Mental Health and Addiction
Services. (a) There shall be a Board of Mental Health and Addiction Services that shall
consist of: (1) Nineteen members appointed by the Governor, subject to the provisions
of section 4-9a, five of whom shall have had experience in the field of substance abuse,
five of whom shall be from the mental health community, three of whom shall be physicians licensed to practice medicine in this state who have had experience in the field of
psychiatry, two of whom shall be psychologists licensed to practice in this state, two of
whom shall be persons representing families of individuals with psychiatric disabilities,
and two of whom shall be persons representing families of individuals recovering from
substance abuse problems; (2) the chairmen of the regional mental health boards established pursuant to section 17a-484; (3) one designee of each such board; (4) two designees from each of the five subregions represented by the substance abuse subregional
planning and action councils established pursuant to section 17a-671; (5) one designee
from each mental health region established pursuant to section 17a-478, each of whom
shall represent individuals with psychiatric disabilities, selected by such regional mental
health boards in collaboration with advocacy groups; and (6) one designee from each
of the five subregions represented by such substance abuse subregional planning and
action councils, each of whom shall represent individuals recovering from substance
abuse problems, selected by such substance abuse subregional planning and action councils in collaboration with advocacy groups. The members of the board shall serve without
compensation except for necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties. The
members of the board may include representatives of nongovernment organizations or
groups, and of state agencies, concerned with planning, operation or utilization of facilities providing mental health and substance abuse services, including consumers and
providers of such services who are familiar with the need for such services, except that
no more than half of the members of the board shall be providers of such services.
Appointed members shall serve on the board for terms of four years each and members
who are designees shall serve on the board at the pleasure of the designating authority.
No appointed member of the board shall be employed by the state or be a member of
the staff of any institution for which such member's compensation is paid wholly by
the state. No appointed member may serve more than two successive terms plus the
balance of any unexpired term to which such member has been appointed. A majority
of the board shall constitute a quorum.
(b) Whenever the term "Board of Mental Health" is used or referred to in the following sections of the general statutes, the term "Board of Mental Health and Addiction
Services" shall be substituted in lieu thereof: 2c-2b, 17a-457, 17a-460, 17a-467, 17a-473, 17a-564.
(1953, S. 1524d; 1957, P.A. 73; 650, S. 21; 652, S. 2; 1969, P.A. 212; 1972, P.A. 145, S. 5; P.A. 76-339, S. 4, 5; P.A.
81-473, S. 40, 43; P.A. 95-257, S. 13, 58; P.A. 00-101.)
History: 1969 act increased number of members from seven to nine, added appointment provisions and established
four-year terms; 1972 act limited number of terms members allowed to serve; P.A. 76-339 included as board member the
chairmen of the regional mental health boards; P.A. 81-473 increased membership of board from fourteen to twenty and
conformed board make-up to federal requirements for a mental health advisory body; Sec. 17-207 transferred to Sec. 17a-456 in 1991; P.A. 95-257 increased membership from ten to fifteen, specified five with substance abuse experience and
five from mental health community, added Subdiv. (4) of Subsec. (a) re additional designees, changed the name of the
board by adding "addiction services" and added Subsec. (b) re substitution of the new name, effective July 1, 1995; P.A.
00-101 amended Subsec. (a) by increasing the number of board members, adding provisions in Subdivs. (1) and (4) and
new Subdivs. (5) and (6) specifying the additional appointees and designees, changing from mandatory to discretionary a
provision re certain representatives included as board members, adding provisions re service of appointed members and
members who are designees, and making conforming and technical changes.
See title 2c re termination under "Sunset Law".
Sec. 17a-457. (Formerly Sec. 17-208a). Duties of board. (a) The Board of Mental
Health and Addiction Services shall meet monthly with the Commissioner of Mental
Health and Addiction Services to review with the commissioner and advise the commissioner on programs, policies and plans of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
(b) The board shall advise the Governor concerning candidates for the position of
Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
(c) The board may issue periodic reports to the Governor and the Commissioner of
Mental Health and Addiction Services.
(d) The board shall select a chairperson and other officers from its membership and
may establish rules governing its internal procedures.
(e) Members of the board may examine the files and records of the central office
of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services at any time and, upon
reasonable notice, of state-operated facilities for the treatment of persons with psychiatric disabilities or substance abuse disabilities.
(f) The board shall advise and assist the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services on program development and community mental health or substance abuse
center construction planning.
(g) The board is designated and shall serve as the state advisory council to consult
with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services in administering the
state's mental health and substance abuse programs.
(h) The board may, from time to time, appoint nonmembers to serve on such ad hoc
advisory committees as it deems necessary to assist with its functions.
(1972, P.A. 145, S. 6; P.A. 81-473, S. 41, 43; P.A. 95-257, S. 55, 58; P.A. 01-195, S. 136, 181.)
History: P.A. 81-473 added Subsecs. (f), (g) and (h) empowering board to advise and assist commissioner on program
development and community mental health center construction planning, designating board as state advisory council to
consult with department, and permitting board to appoint nonmembers on ad hoc advisory committees; Sec. 17-208a
transferred to Sec. 17a-457 in 1991; P.A. 95-257 replaced Board, Commission and Department of Mental Health with Board,
Commission and Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, replaced "mentally disordered" with "persons with
psychiatric disabilities or substance abuse disabilities" in Subsec. (e) and added "substance abuse" to Subsecs. (f) and (g),
effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 01-195 made technical changes for the purpose of gender neutrality in Subsecs. (a) and (d)
and deleted "state" re Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services in Subsec. (g), effective July 11, 2001.
Sec. 17a-458. (Formerly Sec. 17-207a). Definitions. When used in this section
and sections 17a-450, 17a-451, 17a-455, 17a-457, 17a-465, 17a-470, 17a-472, 17a-473
and 17a-475 unless otherwise expressly stated or unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) "Persons with psychiatric disabilities" means those persons who are suffering
from one or more mental disorders as defined in the most recent edition of the American
Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders";
(b) "Persons with substance abuse disabilities" means alcohol dependent persons,
as that term is defined in subdivision (1) of section 17a-680, or drug dependent persons,
as that term is defined in subdivision (7) of section 17a-680;
(c) "State-operated facilities" means those hospitals or other facilities providing
treatment for persons with psychiatric disabilities or for persons with substance abuse
disabilities, or both, which are operated in whole or in part by the Department of Mental
Health and Addiction Services. Such facilities include, but are not limited to, Capitol
Region Mental Health Center, Connecticut Valley Hospital, Norwich Hospital, Fairfield
Hills Hospital, the Connecticut Mental Health Center, the Franklin S. DuBois Center,
Cedarcrest Regional Hospital, the Greater Bridgeport Community Mental Health Center, Blue Hills Hospital, Berkshire Woods Treatment Center, Eugene Boneski Treatment
Center, and Dutcher Treatment Center, but shall not include those portions of such
facilities transferred to the Department of Children and Families for the purpose of
consolidation of children's services.
(1972, P.A. 145, S. 1; P.A. 75-603, S. 1, 15; P.A. 76-339, S. 1, 5; P.A. 77-220, S. 1, 5; P.A. 78-70, S. 2; P.A. 82-154,
S. 1, 2; P.A. 86-371, S. 17, 45; P.A. 87-225, S. 1; P.A. 93-91, S. 1, 2; 93-381, S. 9, 39; 93-427, S. 2, 6; P.A. 95-257, S. 16, 58.)
History: P.A. 75-603 redefined "state-operated facilities" to specifically exclude treatment facilities for children transferred to children and youth services department, to delete High Meadows and to replace the Security Treatment Center
with Whiting Forensic Institute; P.A. 76-339 included Ribicoff Research Center as state-operated facility; P.A. 77-220
added reference to Secs. 17-221 and 17-222, deleted Undercliff Mental Health Center as state-operated facility and added
Cedarcrest Regional Hospital; P.A. 78-70 added reference to Sec. 17-215c; P.A. 82-154 deleted the Ribicoff Research
Center from the list of state operated facilities in Subsec. (b); P.A. 86-371 amended definition of "state-operated facilities"
to delete reference to Blue Hills Hospital, to revise name of Bridgeport Mental Health Center and to specifically exclude
facilities transferred to alcohol and drug abuse commission; P.A. 87-225 changed the name of the DuBois Day Treatment
Center to the Franklin S. DuBois Center; Sec. 17-207a transferred to Sec. 17a-458 in 1991; P.A. 93-91 substituted commissioner and department of children and families for commissioner and department of children and youth services, effective
July 1, 1993; P.A. 93-381 replaced Connecticut alcohol and drug abuse commission with department of public health and
addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 93-427 redefined "state-operated facilities" to add the Capitol Region
Mental Health Center, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced references to mental disorder with psychiatric disability,
added Subsec. (b) re substance abuse disability and relettered the remaining Subsec. accordingly, deleted Whiting Forensic
Institute in Subsec. (c) and added Blue Hills Hospital and Berkshire Woods, Eugene Boneski and Dutcher treatment centers,
deleted reference to portions of facilities transferred to the former Department of Public Health and Addiction Services
and replaced Department of Mental Health with Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, effective July
1, 1995.
Annotation to former section 17-207a:
Subsec. (a):
Cited. 41 CS 229, 242.
Sec. 17a-458a. Term "psychiatric disability" substituted for "mental illness".
(a) Whenever the term "mental illness" is used or referred to in the following sections
of the general statutes, the term "psychiatric disabilities" shall be substituted in lieu
thereof: 17a-474, 17a-478, 17a-479, 17a-495, to 17a-508, inclusive, 17a-510 to 17a-513, inclusive, 17a-515, 17a-521, 17a-523, 17a-524, 17a-526, 17a-528, 17a-540 to 17a-543, inclusive, 17a-546, 17a-582, 17a-584, 17a-586 to 17a-588, inclusive, 17a-592,
17a-593, 17a-594, 17a-596 and 17a-599.
(b) Whenever the term "mentally ill person" or "mentally ill persons" is used or
referred to in the following sections of the general statutes, the term "person with psychiatric disabilities" or "persons with psychiatric disabilities", as the context requires, shall
be substituted in lieu thereof: 17a-497 to 17a-501, inclusive, 17a-504, 17a-509, 17a-514 and 17a-580.
(c) Whenever the term "state hospital for the mentally ill" is used in the following
sections of the general statutes, the term "state hospital for persons with psychiatric
disabilities" shall be substituted in lieu thereof: 17a-499, 17a-510 and 17a-517.
(d) Whenever the term "mentally ill" is used or referred to in the following sections
of the general statutes, the term "a person with psychiatric disabilities" shall be substituted in lieu thereof: 17a-514, 17a-593, 17a-594 and 17a-596.
(e) Whenever the term "the mentally ill" is used or referred to in the following
sections of the general statutes, the term "persons with psychiatric disabilities" shall be
substituted in lieu thereof: 17a-469, 17a-474, 17a-475, 17a-479, 17a-499, 17a-501, 17a-510, 17a-521, 17a-522 and 17a-523.
(f) Whenever the term "is mentally ill" is used or referred to in the following sections
of the general statutes, the term "has psychiatric disabilities" shall be substituted in lieu
thereof: 17a-497, 17a-498, 17a-502, 17a-503, 17a-504, 17a-508, 17a-526, 17a-566, 17a-569 and 17a-580.
(g) Whenever the term "is not mentally ill" is used or referred to in the following
sections of the general statutes, the term "does not have psychiatric disabilities" shall
be substituted in lieu thereof: 17a-504, 17a-510, 17a-514 and 17a-580.
(h) Whenever the term "be mentally ill" is used or referred to in the following
sections of the general statutes, the term "have psychiatric disabilities" shall be substituted in lieu thereof: 17a-519, 17a-525, 17a-528 and 17a-567.
(P.A. 95-257, S. 48, 58.)
History: P.A. 95-257, S. 48 effective July 1, 1995.
Sec. 17a-459. (Formerly Sec. 17-209a). Connecticut Mental Health Center.
The Connecticut Mental Health Center shall be a facility of the Department of Mental
Health and Addiction Services and shall include the Connecticut Mental Health Center
in New Haven and such satellite locations as the department may approve. The department shall operate the center in collaboration with Yale University under mutual
agreement of the parties. The department may provide treatment at the center to adults,
children or youth with psychiatric disabilities, substance abuse disabilities or both such
disabilities. Admissions shall be within the control of the Commissioner of Mental
Health and Addiction Services and no court may commit or transfer any person to or
place or confine any person in the center without the approval of the commissioner or
the commissioner's designee.
(1963, P.A. 579, S. 1; P.A. 83-79, S. 1, 2; P.A. 95-257, S. 11, 58; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 99-2, S. 16, 72.)
History: P.A. 83-79 precluded commitment or transfer of patients to the center without the approval of the commissioner
or his designee; Sec. 17-209a transferred to Sec. 17a-459 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 Sp. Sess. P.A. 99-2 added reference to the Connecticut Mental Health Center in New Haven and satellite locations
the department approves of, added provision allowing department to provide treatment at the center to adults, children or
youth with psychiatric disabilities, substance abuse or both and made technical changes, effective July 1, 1999.
Sec. 17a-460. (Formerly Sec. 17-209b). Center advisory board. The Connecticut Mental Health Center Advisory Board shall be composed of nine members. On or
before July 1, 1973, and quadrennially thereafter, the Commissioner of Mental Health
and Addiction Services, with the approval of the Board of Mental Health and Addiction
Services, shall appoint five members of the advisory board for four-year terms and until
their successors are appointed and have qualified to replace those whose terms expire.
On or before July 1, 1975, and quadrennially thereafter, said commissioner, with the
approval of the Board of Mental Health and Addiction Services, shall appoint four
members of said advisory board for four-year terms and until their successors are appointed and have qualified to replace those whose terms expire. No member shall serve
on said advisory board for more than two full consecutive terms. Two members of said
board shall be nominated by Yale University, two members by the Yale-New Haven
Hospital, Inc., and five members shall be appointed in the sole discretion of said commissioner. The advisory board shall cooperate with and advise and assist the director of the
center in carrying out his duties. Upon his request, the advisory board shall advise the
director in regard to policies and shall recommend on its own initiative policies and
practices, which shall be considered at a duly called meeting of the advisory board.
(1963, P.A. 579, S. 2; 1969, P.A. 44, S. 1; P.A. 95-257, S. 11, 13, 58.)
History: 1969 act revised provisions to allow for staggered appointments, made all terms four years, limited terms
which may be served to two full terms and added provisions re duties of board to cooperate with and advise the center
director and to recommend policies and practices; Sec. 17-209b transferred to Sec. 17a-460 in 1991; P.A. 95-257 replaced
Commissioner, Department and Board of Mental Health with Commissioner, Department and Board of Mental Health
and Addiction Services, effective July 1, 1995.