(a) All rights, duties, property, real or personal, and all other effects existing in names of the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, or in any other name by which the department has been known, shall continue in the name of the Department of Mental Health. Any existing or future reference to the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, or any other name by which the department has been known, in any existing law, contract, or other instrument shall constitute a reference to the Department of Mental Health.
(b) The Advisory Board of Trustees for the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation shall continue in existence as the Advisory Board of Trustees of the Department of Mental Health.
(c) A reasonable transition period for the name change shall be allowed to permit an orderly and cost-effective transition relating particularly to the use of equipment and supplies. All letterhead, business cards, forms, and any other materials in use by the commission containing the name Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation shall continue to be used by the Department of Mental Health until the supplies are exhausted. Replacement supplies shall contain the name of the Department of Mental Health.
(d) In addition to changes in Section 29-7-13, the Code Commissioner, at times determined appropriate, shall change all references to mental retardation in this code as follows: All references to "mentally retarded" shall be changed to "people with an intellectual disability" and all references to "mental retardation" shall be changed to "intellectual disability." This change in terminology is intended to be a name change only and it shall not limit or expand the eligibility for any programs or services provided by any state or local agency.
Structure Code of Alabama
Title 22 - Health, Mental Health, and Environmental Control.
Chapter 50 - Department of Mental Health; Board of Trustees.
Article 1 - General Provisions.
Section 22-50-1 - Definitions.
Section 22-50-2 - Department - Created; Composition; Divisions; Offices.
Section 22-50-2.1 - Department - Name Changed; Transition Period.
Section 22-50-3 - Department - Disposition of Fees, Receipts and Income.
Section 22-50-4 - Department - Public Corporation.
Section 22-50-5 - Board of Trustees - Membership; Officers; Initial Appointments; Terms.
Section 22-50-6 - Board of Trustees - Subsequent Appointments to Board; Vacancies.
Section 22-50-8 - Board of Trustees - Expenses of Trustees.
Section 22-50-9 - Department - Powers Generally.
Section 22-50-11 - Department - Additional and Cumulative Powers.
Section 22-50-12 - Department - Legal Division.
Section 22-50-13 - Department - Annual Report.
Section 22-50-14 - Department - Requests for Budget Funds.
Section 22-50-15 - Funds for Essential Functions.
Section 22-50-16 - Commissioner of Mental Health.
Section 22-50-18 - Commitment and Release of Incompetents, Etc.
Section 22-50-19 - Judicial Review of Final Order or Decision by Department.
Section 22-50-21 - Police Officers for State Mental Health Facilities or Hospitals.
Section 22-50-23 - Penalties for Violation of Chapter, Etc.
Section 22-50-24 - Repeal of Conflicting Laws; Certain Laws Not Repealed.