2009 Rhode Island Code
Title 40.1 - Mental health, retardation, and hospitals
CHAPTER 40.1-21 - Division of Developmental Disabilities
§ 40.1-21-4 - Powers and duties of director of mental health, retardation and hospitals.

SECTION 40.1-21-4

   § 40.1-21-4  Powers and duties of director of mental health, retardation and hospitals. – (a) The director of mental health, retardation, and hospitals shall be responsible for planning and developing a complete, comprehensive, and integrated statewide program for the developmentally disabled for the implementation of the program; and for the coordination of the efforts of the department of mental health, retardation, and hospitals with those of other state departments and agencies, municipal governments as well as the federal government and private agencies concerned with and providing services for the developmentally disabled.

   (b) The director shall be responsible for the administration and operation of all state operated community and residential facilities established for the diagnosis, care, and training of the developmentally disabled. The director shall be responsible for establishing standards in conformance with generally accepted professional thought and for providing technical assistance to all state supported and licensed habilitative, developmental, residential and other facilities for the developmentally disabled, and exercise the requisite surveillance and inspection to insure compliance with standards. Provided, however, that none of the foregoing shall be applicable to any of the facilities wholly within the control of any other department of state government.

   (c) The director of mental health, retardation, and hospitals shall stimulate research by public and private agencies, institutions of higher learning, and hospitals, in the interest of the elimination and amelioration of developmental disabilities, and care and training of the developmentally disabled.

   (d) The director shall be responsible for the development of criteria as to the eligibility for admittance of any developmentally disabled person for residential care in any department supported and licensed residential facility or agency.

   (e) The director of mental health, retardation, and hospitals may transfer retarded persons from one state residential facility to another when deemed necessary or desirable for their better care and welfare.

   (f) The director of mental health, retardation, and hospitals shall make grants-in-aid and otherwise provide financial assistance to the various communities and private nonprofit agencies, in amounts which will enable all developmentally disabled adults to receive developmental and other services appropriate to their individual needs.

   (g) The director shall coordinate all planning for the construction of facilities for the developmentally disabled, and the expenditure of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the state for this purpose.