The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 18: Health

Chapter 173: The Department of Mental Health

• § 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 Repealed. 2005, No. 174 (Adj.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.)