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An Act To Specify Qualifications for the Director of the Office of Adult Mental Health Services within the Department of Health and Human Services
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 22-A MRSA §205, sub-§4, as amended by PL 2007, c. 539, Pt. N, §44, is further amended to read:
 
4. Appointments.   All deputy commissioners, all office directors, the regional systems integration directors and the superintendents of any state institutions are appointed by the commissioner and serve at the pleasure of the commissioner.
 
Deputy commissioners and office directors appointed pursuant to this subsection must have educational qualifications and professional experience directly related to the functions of and services provided by the relevant unit or office. Whenever the director of the Office of Adult Mental Health Services within the department is not a psychiatrist licensed pursuant to Title 32, chapter 56, subchapter 2, the commissioner shall appoint a chief for clinical services, who must be a psychiatrist licensed pursuant to Title 32, chapter 56, subchapter 2, with both clinical and administrative experience. The chief for clinical services is responsible for all clinical and medical decisions for adult mental health services.
 
SUMMARY
This bill specifies that when the director of the Office of Adult Mental Health Services within the Department of Health and Human Services is not a psychiatrist licensed pursuant to the Maine Revised Statues, Title 32, chapter 56, subchapter 2, the Commissioner of Health and Human Services shall appoint a psychiatrist licensed pursuant to Title 32, chapter 56, subchapter 2 as a chief for clinical services.