Mental Disabilities Board of Visitors
Welcome to the Mental Disabilities Board of Visitors' website! Our mission is:
- To provide independent oversight of Montana's residential facilities for people with developmental disabilities and mental health facilities for people with mental illnesses.
- To assure that the treatment of all persons admitted to Montana's residential facilities and mental health facilities is humane, consistent with established clinical and other professional standards, and meets the standards set by state law.
- To advocate for and protect the rights of people receiving services from Montana's residential and mental health facilities.
- To advocate for full development of high-quality, effective, compassionate treatment services within Montana's residential and mental health facilities.
The Montana Legislature created the Mental Disabilities Board of Visitors in 1975 in conjunction with the passage of the Mental Commitment and Treatment Act (Title 53, Chapter 21, MCA 2003) and the Developmental Disabilities Act (Title 53, Chapter 20, MCA, 2003). Both laws were part of a comprehensive package designed to upgrade treatment for people with mental illnesses and people with developmental disabilities.
The Mental Disabilities Board of Visitors is an independent board of inquiry and review established to ensure that the treatment provided in Montana's public health system for people with developmental disabilities and people with mental illnesses is humane, is consistent with established clinical and other professional standards, and meets the standards set by state law. (Paraphrase of Title 53, Chapter 20, Part 104, MCA 2003 and Title 53, Chapter 21, Part 104, MCA 2003: "Powers and duties of the Mental Disabilities Board of Visitors".)
The Governor appoints the six-person Mental Disabilities Board of Visitors so that the Board has a broad mix of professional expertise and consumer viewpoint. Board “slot” definitions and requirements for appointments are defined in Title 2, Chapter 15, Part 211, MCA 2003.
The Board retains the services of a number of consultants from a variety of professional backgrounds to assist in its inspections of mental health and residential facilities.
The staff of the Mental Disabilities Board of Visitors:
- 1.0 FTE Executive Director, Helena Office
- 0.5 FTE Paralegal, Helena Office
- 1.0 FTE Attorney, Montana State Hospital Office
- 1.0 FTE Paralegal, Montana State Hospital Office
The Mental Disabilities Board of Visitors reports annually to the Governor concerning the status of facilities and treatment programs it has inspected. Title 53, Chapter 20, Part 104(8), MCA 2003 and Title 53, Chapter 21, Part 104(9), MCA 2003.
