# Article 1 The Department and the Commissioner

This article is comprised of the following sections:

- §37.2-300 Creation and supervision of Department
- §37.2-301 Appointment of Commissioner
- §37.2-302 Term of office and vacancy therein
- §37.2-303 Qualifications of Commissioner
- §37.2-304 Duties of Commissioner
- §37.2-305 Receiving gifts and endowments
- §37.2-306 Research into causes of mental illness, developmental disabilities, substance abuse, and related subjects
- §37.2-307 Employment of special counsel to defend Board member, officer, or employee of Department in criminal cases
- §37.2-308 Data reporting on children and adolescents
- §37.2-308.01 Commitment hearings for involuntary admissions; data sharing
- §37.2-308.1 Acute psychiatric bed registry
- §37.2-309 Department responsible for substance abuse services; office established; qualifications of staff
- §37.2-310 Powers and duties of Department related to substance abuse
- §37.2-311 Review of applications for state or federal funds or services used in substance abuse programs
- §37.2-311.1 Comprehensive crisis system; Marcus alert system; powers and duties of the Department related to comprehensive mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disability crisis services
- §37.2-311.2 Powers and duties of crisis call center
- §37.2-311.3 Standards for community care teams and mobile crisis teams
- §37.2-311.4 Crisis Call Center Fund
- §37.2-311.5 Collection of 988 charges
- §37.2-311.6 Liability for emergency calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- §37.2-312 Department responsible for education and training programs
- §37.2-312.1 Department to be lead agency for suicide prevention across the lifespan
- §37.2-312.2 Commonwealth Mental Health First Aid Program
- §37.2-313 Employment of unlicensed physician by Department
- §37.2-313.1 Licensed physician required at certain training centers
- §37.2-314 Background check required
- §37.2-314.1 Developmental Disabilities Mortality Review Committee; duties; membership; confidentiality; report; penalty
- §37.2-314.2 Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund
- §37.2-314.3 Powers and duties of the Department related to supported decision-making agreements; report