a. The Division of Mental Health Advocacy shall promote, advocate, and ensure the adequacy of the care received, and the quality of life experienced, by persons with mental illness, including patients, residents, and clients within the mental health facilities and programs operated, funded, or licensed by the State. In determining what elements are essential to ensure adequate care and quality of life, the division shall consider the unique medical, social, and economic needs and problems of persons with mental illness as patients, residents, and clients of facilities and as citizens and community members.

b. The director shall establish and implement procedures to elicit, receive, process, respond, and resolve complaints from patients, their families, other interested citizens, public officials, and government agencies concerning conditions in the State’s mental health facilities.

L.2005,c.155,s.30.