(a) To administer and enforce the laws of this Commonwealth relative to mental health, the care, prevention, early recognition and treatment of mental illness, mental defects, epilepsy, and inebriety, the licensing and regulation of institutions for the mentally ill, mentally defective and epileptic, the admission and commitment of patients to such institutions and the transfer, discharge, escape, interstate rendition, and deportation of such patients.

(b) Subject to any inconsistent provisions in this act contained, approve or disapprove the advice and recommendations of the several boards of trustees of State mental institutions.