a. When used in this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:
Mentally disabled. The term "mentally disabled" means those with mental illness, developmental disability, or addiction disorder, as these terms are defined in section 1.03 of the mental hygiene law, or those with intellectual disability; or any other mental illness or mental condition placed under the jurisdiction of the department by the mayor.
Provider of services. The term "provider of services" means an individual, association, corporation or public or private agency which provides for the mentally disabled.
Services for the mentally disabled. The term "services for the mentally disabled" means examination, diagnosis, care, treatment, rehabilitation, training, education, research, preventive services, referral, residential services or domiciliary care of or for the mentally disabled, not specifically limited by any other law.
b. Notwithstanding the foregoing, planning and programs for persons with substance dependence or chemical dependence shall be conducted by the department, and the department may act as a "local agency" to conduct substance abuse programs and seek reimbursement therefore pursuant to provisions of the mental hygiene law relating to funding for substance abuse services, as deemed appropriate by the commissioner in recognition of the programs currently administered by the New York state office of alcoholism and substance abuse services or its successor agency under article 19 of the mental hygiene law.
(Am. L.L. 2022/014, 1/9/2022, eff. 1/9/2022)
a. There shall be a department of health and mental hygiene, the head of which shall be the commissioner of health and mental hygiene who shall be appointed by the mayor. The department shall have and exercise all powers of a local health department set forth in law. Notwithstanding any other provision of this charter to the contrary, the department shall be a social services district for purposes of the administration of health-related public assistance programs to the extent agreed upon by the department, the department of social services and the department of homeless services. Appropriations to the department for mental health, intellectual and developmental disability, and alcoholism services shall be set forth in the expense budget in separate and distinct units of appropriation. In determining the annual amount of city funds to be appropriated by the city for mental health, intellectual and developmental disability, and alcoholism services, the following provision shall apply: in the event that the executive budget proposes a decrease in city funds measured against the budget for the current fiscal year, as modified in accordance with section 107, for the units of appropriation for mental health, intellectual and developmental disability, and alcoholism services, the executive budget shall not propose a greater percentage decrease in city funds measured against the budget for the current fiscal year, as modified in accordance with section 107, for the units of appropriation for mental health, intellectual and developmental disability, and alcoholism services than has been proposed for the units of appropriation for public health services. If, however, in his or her discretion, the mayor determines that it is in the city's best interest to submit an executive budget at variance with the requirements of this provision, the mayor shall include an explanation of the basis for this variation as part of the budget message.
b. The commissioner shall be a doctor of medicine and:
(1) hold a degree of master of public health or a degree of master of business administration with concentration in the health field or a degree of master of public administration with concentration in the health field or the equivalent of any one of the specified foregoing degrees received from a college or university and have had at least five years' experience in college or university public health teaching, or
(2) have had at least five years' experience in public health administration.
(Am. L.L. 2022/014, 1/9/2022, eff. 1/9/2022)
The commissioner may appoint deputy commissioners, one of whom shall have the same qualifications as the commissioner. There shall be at least two executive deputy commissioners, one of whom shall have the qualifications established pursuant to the mental hygiene law for a director of community services of a local governmental unit, and shall be the director within the department of the division of mental hygiene services. Such division shall be and shall exercise the powers of a local governmental unit for purposes of the mental hygiene law, and the executive deputy commissioner heading such division shall have the powers of a director of community services of a local governmental unit as set forth in or pursuant to such law, and shall report directly to the commissioner. In the exercise of such powers, such executive deputy commissioner shall coordinate the fiscal and programmatic administration of contracts awarded by the department for mental health, intellectual and developmental disability, and alcoholism services.
(Am. L.L. 2022/014, 1/9/2022, eff. 1/9/2022)
Loading...