Massachusetts. State Advisory Council on Mental Health and Retardation

The act reorganizing the Department of Mental Health (St 1966, Ex Sess, c 735) required the creation of a mental health advisory council, which was known principally by the name cited above or variations thereof. The council consisted of thirty persons to be appointed by the governor, at least half of them being members of community mental health and retardation area boards, and of the remaining half at least seven representing the following groups: state-level medical, psychological, nursing, educational, social work, occupational therapy, or bar associations; state-level associations for mental health and for mental retardation; industrial and labor groups; and the clergy. Members would not serve more than two consecutive three-year terms.

The duties of the council included advising the commissioner of mental health on policy, program development, and priorities of need for comprehensive programs in mental health and retardation in Massachusetts. It participated with the department in holding a regular series of public hearings throughout the Commonwealth to obtain the views of the area boards and other citizens concerning the programs of the department and the needs of the citizens for mental health and retardation services. The advisory council also reviewed the annual plans and proposed annual budget of the department, and made recommendations thereon to the commissioner, holding at least three meetings per year and convening special meetings as well.

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