Section 42-12.1-1 - Department of mental health, retardation, and hospitals(1) There is hereby established within the executive branch of state government a department which shall be known as the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals. The department shall be headed by a director of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals who shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate and who shall serve at the pleasure of the governor.(2) The director shall carry out all of the provisions of all of the general and public laws heretofore carried out by the director of health and the director of social welfare with relation to: (a) Office of mental retardation;(b) Division of curative services;(c) Division of business services with the exception of the licensing of homes for aged and convalescent persons; and(d) Mental health law; whose several functions are by this chapter transferred to the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-12.1-1
Reorg. Plan No. 1, 1970; G.L. 1956, § 42-12.1-1; P.L. 1977, ch. 142, § 1.