Okla. Stat. tit. 43A, § 43A-2-202.1

A. The Commissioner of Mental Health and Substance Abuse

Services shall have charge of the administration of the Department

of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services as directed by the

Board of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and shall be

charged with the duty of carrying out the provisions of the Mental

Health Law. The duties of the Commissioner shall include, but not

be limited to, the following:

1. Supervising the activities of the Department;

2. Prescribing rules and regulations, as approved by the Board

of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, for the efficient,

uniform, and professional operation of the Department, consistent

with the mission of the Department, including the official forms

used or described in this title;

3. Prescribing policies and procedures for the operation of the

Department;

4. Employing necessary personnel to perform the duties of the

Department, prescribing titles and duties, and fixing compensation,

including the employment of attorneys to provide legal assistance to

the Department;

5. Accepting, using, disbursing, and administering grants,

allotments, gifts, devises, bequests, appropriations, and other

monies and property offered or given to the Department, or any

component or agency thereof, by an agency of the federal government

or any corporation or individual for the use of the Department;

6. Making contracts and agreements with other departments of

this state to carry out the provisions of this section;

7. Acting as the official agency of this state in all matters

relating to mental health or substance abuse which require or

authorize cooperation of this state with the federal government or

any agency thereof; coordinating the activities of the Department

with those of the federal government or any department or agency

thereof, and with other states, on matters pertaining to mental

health and substance abuse, and entering into agreements for such

purpose;

8. Aiding, assisting, and cooperating with other state

agencies, government entities, institutions of higher learning,

public schools, and others interested in public education regarding

the issues of mental health and substance abuse in the establishment

of sound mental health and substance abuse programs in this state;

and

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 43A. Mental Health Page 43

9. Designating the type of consumer that will be cared for at

each facility and designating hospital or community mental health

center districts for the purpose of determining to which facilities

within the Department or community mental health centers persons

committed from each county shall initially be sent. These

designations may be changed from time to time.

B. The Commissioner or designee may delay inpatient admissions

when such admissions would cause facilities to exceed their

authorized capacity.

C. Consumers may be transferred from one facility to another

within the Department on the authority of the Commissioner as

provided for in the Mental Health Law.

D. The Commissioner shall have any other power necessary to

implement the provisions of the Mental Health Law.