Sec. 47.30.660. - Powers and duties of department.
(a) The department shall
(1) prepare, and periodically revise and amend, a plan for an integrated comprehensive mental health program, as that term is defined by AS 47.30.056 (i); the preparation of the plan and any revision or amendment of it shall
(A) be made in conjunction with the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority;
(B) be coordinated with federal, state, regional, local, and private entities involved in mental health services;
(2) in planning expenditures from the mental health trust settlement income account, conform to the regulations adopted by the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority under AS 47.30.031 (b)(5); and
(3) implement an integrated comprehensive system of care that, within the limits of money appropriated for that purpose and using grants and contracts that are to be paid for from the mental health trust settlement income account, meets the service needs of the beneficiaries of the trust established under the Alaska Mental Health Enabling Act of 1956, as determined by the plan.
(b) The department, in fulfilling its duties under this section and through its division responsible for mental health, shall
(1) administer a comprehensive program of services for persons with mental disorders, for the prevention of mental illness, and for the care and treatment of persons with mental disorders, including inpatient and outpatient care and treatment and the procurement of services of specialists or other persons on a contractual or other basis;
(2) take the actions and undertake the obligations that are necessary to participate in federal grants-in-aid programs and accept federal or other financial aid from whatever sources for the study, prevention, examination, care, and treatment of persons with mental disorders;
(3) administer AS 47.30.660 - 47.30.915;
(4) designate, operate, and maintain treatment facilities equipped and qualified to provide inpatient and outpatient care and treatment for persons with mental disorders;
(5) provide for the placement of patients with mental disorders in designated treatment facilities;
(6) enter into arrangements with governmental agencies for the care or treatment of persons with mental disorders in facilities of the governmental agencies in the state or in another state;
(7) enter into contracts with treatment facilities for the custody and care or treatment of persons with mental disorders; contracts under this paragraph are governed by AS 36.30 (State Procurement Code);
(8) enter into contracts, which incorporate safeguards consistent with AS 47.30.660 - 47.30.915 and the preservation of the civil rights of the patients with another state for the custody and care or treatment of patients previously committed from this state under 48 U.S.C. 46 et seq., and P.L. 84-830, 70 Stat. 709;
(9) prescribe the form of applications, records, reports, requests for release, and consents to medical or psychological treatment required by AS 47.30.660 - 47.30.915;
(10) require reports from the head of a treatment facility concerning the care of patients;
(11) visit each treatment facility at least annually to review methods of care or treatment for patients;
(12) investigate complaints made by a patient or an interested party on behalf of a patient;
(13) delegate upon mutual agreement to another officer or agency of it, or a political subdivision of the state, or a treatment facility designated, any of the duties and powers imposed upon it by AS 47.30.660 - 47.30.915;
(14) after consultation with the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, adopt regulations to implement the provisions of AS 47.30.660 - 47.30.915;
(15) provide technical assistance and training to providers of mental health services; and
(16) set standards under which each designated treatment facility shall provide programs to meet patients' medical, psychological, social, vocational, educational, and recreational needs.