PART XV.  MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH

     §321-171  Children's mental health services; department responsibility.  It shall be the responsibility of the department of health to:

     (1)  Provide preventative health services for children and youth;

     (2)  Provide diagnostic and treatment services for emotionally disturbed children and youth; and

     (3)  Provide treatment and rehabilitative services for mentally ill children and youth.

Such services shall be delivered at the earliest possible moment after the need for such services is established.  All eligible children and youth between the ages of birth and seventeen shall receive the necessary mental health services to insure their proper and full development.  If there is any adjudication or settlement of any legal action involving the delivery of children's mental health services, the department of health shall be responsible for the coordination of carrying out the terms of the judgment or settlement. [L 1974, c 211, pt of §1; am L 1996, c 125, §1]