
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document affected by Public Law 106-310 Section 3112(c)]
[CITE: 42USC290bb-31]

 
                 TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
 
                    CHAPTER 6A--PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
 
      SUBCHAPTER III-A--SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES 
                             ADMINISTRATION
 
                      Part B--Centers and Programs
 
              subpart 3--center for mental health services
 
Sec. 290bb-31. Center for Mental Health Services


(a) Establishment

    There is established in the Administration a Center for Mental 
Health Services (hereafter in this section referred to as the 
``Center''). The Center shall be headed by a Director (hereafter in this 
section referred to as the ``Director'') appointed by the Secretary from 
among individuals with extensive experience or academic qualifications 
in the provision of mental health services or in the evaluation of 
mental health service systems.

(b) Duties

    The Director of the Center shall--
        (1) design national goals and establish national priorities 
    for--
            (A) the prevention of mental illness; and
            (B) the promotion of mental health;

        (2) encourage and assist local entities and State agencies to 
    achieve the goals and priorities described in paragraph (1);
        (3) develop and coordinate Federal prevention policies and 
    programs and to assure increased focus on the prevention of mental 
    illness and the promotion of mental health;
        (4) develop improved methods of treating individuals with mental 
    health problems and improved methods of assisting the families of 
    such individuals;
        (5) administer the mental health services block grant program 
    authorized in section 300x of this title;
        (6) promote policies and programs at Federal, State, and local 
    levels and in the private sector that foster independence and 
    protect the legal rights of persons with mental illness, including 
    carrying out the provisions of the Protection and Advocacy of 
    Mentally Ill Individuals Act [42 U.S.C. 10801 et seq.];
        (7) carry out the programs authorized under sections 290bb-32 
    and 290cc-21 of this title, including the Community Support Program 
    and the Child and Adolescent Service System Programs;
        (8) carry out responsibilities for the Human Resource 
    Development program, and programs of clinical training for 
    professional and paraprofessional personnel pursuant to section 242a 
    of this title;
        (9) conduct services-related assessments, including evaluations 
    of the organization and financing of care, self-help and consumer-
    run programs, mental health economics, mental health service 
    systems, rural mental health, and improve the capacity of State to 
    conduct evaluations of publicly funded mental health programs;
        (10) establish a clearinghouse for mental health information to 
    assure the widespread dissemination of such information to States, 
    political subdivisions, educational agencies and institutions, 
    treatment and prevention service providers, and the general public, 
    including information concerning the practical application of 
    research supported by the National Institute of Mental Health that 
    is applicable to improving the delivery of services;
        (11) provide technical assistance to public and private entities 
    that are providers of mental health services;
        (12) monitor and enforce obligations incurred by community 
    mental health centers pursuant to the Community Mental Health 
    Centers Act (as in effect prior to the repeal of such Act on August 
    13, 1981, by section 902(e)(2)(B) of Public Law 97-35 (95 Stat. 
    560));
        (13) conduct surveys with respect to mental health, such as the 
    National Reporting Program; and
        (14) assist States in improving their mental health data 
    collection.

(c) Grants and contracts

    In carrying out the duties established in subsection (b) of this 
section, the Director may make grants to and enter into contracts and 
cooperative agreements with public and nonprofit private entities.

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title V, Sec. 520, as added Pub. L. 102-321, 
title I, Sec. 115(a), July 10, 1992, 106 Stat. 346.)

                       References in Text

    The Protection and Advocacy of Mentally Ill Individuals Act, 
referred to in subsec. (b)(6), probably means the Protection and 
Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986, which is Pub. L. 99-
319, May 23, 1986, 100 Stat. 478, which is classified generally to 
chapter 114 (Sec. 10801 et seq.) of this title. For complete 
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out 
under section 10801 of this title and Tables.
    The Community Mental Health Centers Act, referred to in subsec. 
(b)(12), is title II of Pub. L. 88-164, as added by Pub. L. 94-63, title 
III, Sec. 303, July 29, 1975, 89 Stat. 309, and amended, which was 
classified principally to subchapter III (Sec. 2689 et seq.) of chapter 
33 of this title prior to its repeal by Pub. L. 97-35, title IX, 
Sec. 902(e)(2)(B), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 560.


                            Prior Provisions

    A prior section 520 of act July 1, 1944, which was classified to 
section 290cc-13 of this title, was renumbered section 520A of act July 
1, 1944, by Pub. L. 102-321 and transferred to section 290bb-32 of this 
title.
    Another prior section 520 of act July 1, 1944, was renumbered 
section 519 by Pub. L. 101-93 and classified to section 290cc-12 of this 
title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102-321, Sec. 117.


                             Effective Date

    Section effective Oct. 1, 1992, with provision for programs 
providing financial assistance, see section 801(c), (d) of Pub. L. 102-
321, set out as an Effective Date of 1992 Amendment note under section 
236 of this title.


    Mental Health Services for Individuals in Correctional Facilities

    Section 703 of Pub. L. 102-321 directed Secretary of Health and 
Human Services, acting through Director of Center for Mental Health 
Services, not later than July 10, 1992, to prepare and submit to 
Congress a report concerning most effective methods for providing mental 
health services to individuals who come into contact with the criminal 
justice system, including those individuals incarcerated in correctional 
facilities (including local jails and detention facilities), and the 
obstacles to providing such services, with such study to be carried out 
in consultation with the National Institute of Mental Health, the 
Department of Justice, and other appropriate public and private 
entities.
