INSANITY LAW

L. 1909, Ch. 32. "An Act in relation to the insane, constituting chapter twenty-seven of the Consolidated Laws."

(In effect February 17, 1909.)

CHAPTER 27 OF THE CONSOLIDATED LAWS

[Formerly L. 1896, Ch. 545, being chapter 28 of the General Laws.]

Article 1. Short title; definitions (§§ 1, 2).

2. State commission in lunacy (§§ 3-19).

3. Institutions for the care, treatment and custody of the insane (§§ 40-66).

4. Commitment, custody and discharge of the insane (§§ 80-99).

5. Matteawan

state hospital for insane

(SS 110-125).

criminals

6. Dannemora state hospital for insane convicts (§§ 140

153).

7. Pathological hospital and institute (§§ 170–172). 8. Laws repealed; when to take effect (§§ 190, 191).

ARTICLE 1

Short Title; Definitions

Section 1. Short title.

2. Definitions.

§ 1. Short title. This chapter shall be known as the "Insanity Law."

Formerly L. 1896, ch. 545, § 1.

§ 2. Definitions. Poor person.- The term poor person," when used in this chapter, means a person who is unable to maintain himself and having no one legally liable and able to maintain him.

Explanation. For location and disposition of former sections of the Insanity Law see L. 1896, Ch. 545, in "Consolidated Schedule of Repeals,” Vol. 7.

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State Commission in Lunacy.

Arts. 1, 2

Indigent person.- The term "indigent person," when used in this chapter, means one who has not sufficient property to support himself while insane, and the members of his family lawfully dependent upon him for support.

Institution. The term "institution," when used in this chapter, means any hospital, asylum, building, buildings, house or retreat, authorized by law to have the care, treatment or custody of the insane.

Commission.

The term "commission," when used in this

chapter, means the state commission in lunacy.

Patient. The term "patient," when used in this chapter, means an insane person committed to an institution according to the provisions of this chapter.

Formerly L. 1896, ch. 545, § 2.

ARTICLE 2

State Commission in Lunacy

Section 3. Appointment, qualifications, terms of office and salaries of commissioners.

4. Office and clerical force of commission; medical

9. Visitation and inspection of certain institutions.

10. Regulations and forms.

11. Annual report.

12. State hospital districts; how defined.

13. Change of hospital districts and reassignment of

patients.

14. Record of medical examiners.

15. Record of patients.

16. Institutions to furnish information to commission. 17. Commission to provide for the prospective wants of the insane.

18. Hospital attorneys.

19. Board of alienists for examination of insane, idiotic, imbecile and epileptic immigrants, alien and nonresident insane; power and duties.

§ 3. Appointment, qualifications, terms of office and salaries of commissioners. There shall continue to be

Art. 2

State Commission in Lunacy.

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a state commission in lunacy, consisting of three commissioners, all of whom shall be citizens of this state. One of them, who shall be president of the commission, shall be a reputable physician, a graduate of an incorporated medical college, of at least ten years' experience in the actual practice of his profession, who has had five years' actual experience in the care and treatment of the insane, and who has had experience in the management of institutions for the insane. One of such commissioners shall be a reputable attorney and counselor-at-law of the courts of this state of not less than ten years' standing. The third commissioner shall be a reputable citizen. The president of the commission shall receive an annual salary of seven thousand five hundred dollars, and twelve hundred dollars in lieu of his traveling and incidental expenses, payable monthly. Each of the other commissioners shall receive an annual salary of five thousand dollars, and twelve hundred dollars, in lieu of his traveling and incidental expenses, payable monthly. The president of the commission shall hold office during good behavior and shall be removable by the governor only for cause, stated in writing, after an opportunity has been given him to be heard thereon. A commissioner, other than the president, may be removed by the governor for cause, stated in writing, after an opportunity has been given him to be heard thereon. The full term of office of a commissioner other than the president shall be six years. Where the term of office of a commissioner other than the president expires at a time other than the last day of December, the term of office of his successor is abridged so as to expire on the last day of December preceding the time when such term would otherwise expire, and the term of office of each such commissioner thereafter appointed shall begin on the first day of January. The commissioners shall be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate.

Formerly L. 1896, ch. 545, § 3, as am'd by L. 1901, ch. 137, § 1; L. 1904, ch. 330, § 1, and L. 1905, ch. 490, § 1.

§ 4. Office and clerical force of commission; medical inspector. The commission shall be provided by the proper authorities with a suitably furnished office in the state capitol, where it shall hold stated meetings, at least once in three months. It may hold other meetings, at such office or elsewhere, as it may deem necessary. It may employ a secretary, a stenographer and such other employees as may be necessary. The salaries and reasonable expenses of the commission and of the necessary clerical assistants shall be paid by the treasurer of the state on the war