§ 7201. Mental health
(a) The Department of Mental Health, as the successor to the Division of Mental Health
Services of the Department of Health, shall centralize and more efficiently establish
the general policy and execute the programs and services of the State concerning mental
health, and integrate and coordinate those programs and services with the programs
and services of other departments of the State, its political subdivisions, and private
agencies, so as to provide a flexible comprehensive service to all citizens of the
State in mental health and related problems.
(b) The Department shall ensure equal access to appropriate mental health care in a manner
equivalent to other aspects of health care as part of an integrated, holistic system
of care. (Added 1967, No. 305 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1968; amended 1989, No. 187 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 1995, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2005, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 38; 2007, No. 15, § 11; 2017, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 12.)
§ 7202. Coordination
The Department of Mental Health shall be responsible for coordinating efforts of all
agencies and services, government and private, on a statewide basis in order to promote
and improve the mental health of individuals through outreach, education, and other
activities. The Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living shall be
responsible for coordinating the efforts of all agencies and services, government
and private, on a statewide basis in order to promote and improve the lives of individuals
with developmental disabilities. (Added 1967, No. 305 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1968; amended 1987, No. 264 (Adj. Sess.), § 7; 2005, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 38; 2007, No. 15, § 11.)
§ 7203. Repealed. 2005, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 140(4).
§ 7204. Planning; grants; clinics
The Department is the authority in this State for planning a comprehensive mental
health program. It may apply for and receive grants from the federal government and
other sources for that planning. It shall operate such clinics and other mental health
units as it may consider necessary and shall fulfill the State’s responsibilities
as to community mental health services, so far as practical. (Added 1967, No. 305 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1968.)
§ 7205. Supervision of institutions
(a) The Department of Mental Health shall operate the Vermont State Hospital or its successor
in interest and shall be responsible for patients receiving involuntary treatment.
(b) The Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health, in consultation with the Secretary,
shall appoint a Chief Executive Officer of the Vermont State Hospital or its successor
in interest to oversee the operations of the hospital. The Chief Executive Officer
position shall be an exempt position. (Added 1967, No. 305 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1968; amended 2005, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 38; 2007, No. 15, § 11; 2011, No. 63, § E.315.1; 2011, No. 79 (Adj. Sess.), § 20, eff. April 4, 2012.)
§ 7206. Recommendations and reports
The Department shall from time to time study comprehensively the mental health problems
of the State, develop programs for mental health services, and recommend as to the
integration within the Department of any other related agencies and services as it
considers proper. It shall also periodically review and evaluate the mental health
programs. (Added 1967, No. 305 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1968; amended 2005, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 38.)
§ 7207. Commissioner of Mental Health; appointment; qualifications
The Secretary shall appoint a Commissioner of Mental Health, as provided in 3 V.S.A. § 3051, who shall be a mental health care professional who has had educational and practical
experience in the field of mental health. (Added 2007, No. 15, § 13.)
§ 7208. Definitions
As used in this chapter:
(1) “Adult foster care” shall have the same meaning as in 33 V.S.A. § 502.
(2) “Home care services” shall have the same meaning as in 33 V.S.A. § 502. (Added 2007, No. 37, § 2.)