(a) Sections 7.09 and 31.04 of the Mental Hygiene Law grant the Commissioner of Mental Health the power and responsibility to adopt regulations that are necessary and proper to implement matters under his or her jurisdiction, and to set standards of quality and adequacy of facilities, equipment, personnel, services, records and programs for the rendition of services for adults diagnosed with mental illness or children diagnosed with emotional disturbance, pursuant to an operating certificate.

(b) Section 31.02 of the Mental Hygiene Law prohibits the operation of outpatient programs providing services for persons with mental illness unless an operating certificate has been obtained from the commissioner.

(c) Sections 31.07, 31.09, 31.13 and 31.19 of the Mental Hygiene Law further authorize the commissioner or his or her representatives to examine and inspect such programs to determine their suitability and proper operation. Section 31.16 authorizes the commissioner to suspend, revoke or limit any operating certificate, under certain circumstances.

(d) Section 31.11 of the Mental Hygiene Law requires every holder of an operating certificate to assist the Office of Mental Health in carrying out its regulatory functions by cooperating with the commissioner in any inspection or investigation, permitting the commissioner to inspect its facility, books and records, including recipients' records, and making such reports, uniform and otherwise, as are required by the commissioner.

(e) Section 31.06 of the Mental Hygiene Law requires every holder of an operating certificate to develop policies and training programs in regard to reporting child abuse or neglect.

(f) Section 43.02(b) of the Mental Hygiene Law authorizes the commissioner to request from operators of facilities licensed by the Office of Mental Health such financial, statistical and program information as the commissioner may determine to be necessary.

(g) Article 33 of the Mental Hygiene Law establishes basic rights of persons diagnosed with mental illness.

(h) Section 364-j of the Social Services Law requires the establishment of managed care programs throughout the State and provides for the provision of special care services to enrollees in Medicaid managed care programs who require such services.

(i) Sections 364 and 364-a of the Social Services Law give the Office of Mental Health responsibility for establishing and maintaining standards for medical care and services in facilities under its jurisdiction, in accordance with cooperative arrangements with the Department of Health.

(j) Section 43.01 of the Mental Hygiene Law gives the commissioner authority to set rates for outpatient services at facilities operated by the Office of Mental Health. Section 43.02 of the Mental Hygiene Law provides that payments under the medical assistance program for outpatient services at facilities licensed by the Office of Mental Health shall be at rates certified by the Commissioner of Mental Health and approved by the Director of the Budget.

(k) Title XIX of the Federal Social Security Act, as identified in section 502.2(c) of such title, authorizes Federal grants to states to fund medical assistance to needy persons in accordance with a State plan approved by the Federal Department of Health and Human Services.

(l) Article 41 of the Mental Hygiene Law gives the local governmental unit the authority to direct and administer a local comprehensive planning process for its geographic area in which all providers of service shall participate and cooperate through the development of integrated systems of care and treatment for persons with mental illness.

(m) Section 41.13 of the Mental Hygiene Law establishes the powers and duties of the local governmental unit.

(n) Section 365-m of the Social Services Law authorizes the Commissioner of the Office of Mental Health and the Commissioner of the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, in consultation with the Department of Health, to contract with regional behavioral health organizations to provide administrative and management services for the provision of behavioral health services.