Rhode Island General Laws 40.1-5.4-1. Mental health services
The department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals shall be required to plan, develop, coordinate, and administer a complete, comprehensive, and integrated statewide system of mental health services. The department shall take cognizance of all matters affecting the mental health of the residents of the state, including those in the general population who require periodic, short-term therapeutic services as well as those with serious mental illness. Notwithstanding that, the department’s highest priorities shall be to provide services to residents with serious mental illness; early and ongoing treatment and support for individuals with serious mental illness; and research into the cause and treatment of serious mental illness.
History of Section.
P.L. 1994, ch. 247, § 1.
Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 40.1-5.4-1
- Department: means the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals. See Rhode Island General Laws 40.1-5.4-7
- Serious mental illness: means an illness which is biologically based, severe in degree, and persistent in duration, which causes a substantially diminished level of functioning in the primary aspects of daily living and an inability to cope with the ordinary demands of life, which may lead to an inability to maintain stable adjustment and independent functioning without long-term treatment and support and which may be of lifetime duration. See Rhode Island General Laws 40.1-5.4-7