(a) This Part is intended to promote the application of the most effective methods, including the use of evidence based practices, to assist persons with mental illness achieve maximum self-sufficiency while assuring their safety and general well-being.

(b) The provisions of this Part shall apply to the inpatient services of a freestanding psychiatric facility that has been certified by the Office of Mental Health to provide such services. Inpatient services provided in psychiatric inpatient units of general hospitals shall be governed in accordance with Part 580 of this Title. This Part shall not apply to any facility established by article 7 or article 10 of the Mental Hygiene Law.

(c) The Mental Hygiene Law requires the certification of any facility operated by an individual, association, corporation, or public or private agency to provide examination, diagnosis, care, treatment, rehabilitation or training to anyone with a disorder or disturbance in behavior, feeling, thinking or judgment so severe as to require care and treatment. Recognizing the differences between the methods usually applied in the care and treatment of persons with mental illness and persons with mental retardation or developmental disabilities, the office intends this Part to apply only to inpatient services provided by hospitals for persons with mental illness.

(d) This Part prescribes standards for certification. Certification of itself does not confer eligibility to receive financial support from any governmental source.

(e) It is the intent of this Part to foster increased responsibility of hospitals for persons with mental illness to evaluate and review their own services. However, such hospitals must prepare an adequate plan for services which addresses modalities of care, staff training and experience, amount and coverage of staff, and admission and discharge criteria; and must furthermore establish organization policies and procedures which will facilitate implementation of the plan.

(f) Section 582.8 of this Part supersedes Part 77 of this Title.