This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to enhance the responsibilities of the Secretary of the Department of Health Facilities. Specifically, it mandates the Secretary to establish a long-term psychiatric and mental health assistance hospital facility or home aimed at addressing the needs of homeless individuals. The bill also outlines the Secretary's powers, which include coordinating with other health and human services officials, managing state-owned health facilities, and adopting operational rules for these facilities.

Additionally, the bill emphasizes the importance of protecting the rights of clients in state health facilities and implementing performance indicators to ensure accountability within state hospitals. The Secretary is granted the authority to acquire land for state facilities, accept donations, and manage federal funds. The bill also clarifies that contracts with certain educational institutions for services are exempt from specific provisions of the code. Overall, the legislation seeks to improve mental health services for vulnerable populations in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 26-1-3