§45-8-173.01. Additional recording fee; Mental Health Advisory Board; disposition fee.

(a) In addition to any fees currently assessed, the probate office of Calhoun County shall charge an additional fee of four dollars ($4) on certain transactions as provided herein in the probate office of Calhoun County. For purposes of this section, a transaction means the recording of any document in the probate office and the issuance of a marriage license by the judge of probate. The fee shall be paid by the party filing the document or persons receiving the marriage license at the time of the transaction in the probate court. After the first year of the operation of this part, the Calhoun County Mental Health Advisory Board may increase or lower the fee, provided the fee may not exceed six dollars ($6). The fee shall not apply to matters filed in the Calhoun County Probate Court.

(b) There is established the Calhoun County Mental Health Advisory Board which shall have five members as follows:

(1) The Executive Director of the Calhoun-Cleburne Mental Health Board, Inc., or his or her designee.

(2) The Sheriff of Calhoun County.

(3) A member of the Calhoun County Legislative Delegation, or their designee.

(4) The Calhoun County Judge of Probate.

(5) A resident of Calhoun County to be selected by the other members of the board for a term of four years.

(c) By the tenth of each month following the collection of the fee, the proceeds of the fee shall be disbursed by the judge of probate to the Calhoun-Cleburne Mental Health Board, Inc., to be used as the Calhoun County Mental Health Advisory Board directs for crisis intervention services, or should the Calhoun-Cleburne Mental Health Board, Inc., cease to exist or refuse the funds, to such entities or persons as the Calhoun County Mental Health Advisory Board may direct, to be used as the Calhoun County Mental Health Advisory Board directs for crisis intervention services, which may include any of the following:

(1) A mental health officer, who shall be appointed by the Calhoun County Mental Health Advisory Board. The duties, education, qualifications, training, and experience requirements of the position shall be set by the Calhoun County Mental Health Advisory Board. All necessary equipment, supplies, and training, including an appropriately equipped vehicle, shall also be provided as determined by the Calhoun County Mental Health Advisory Board. The Calhoun County Mental Health Advisory Board may, if it so determines, appoint assistant mental health officers. The Calhoun County Mental Health Advisory Board shall set the salary or compensation for the mental health officer and assistant mental health officers, if any. The Calhoun County Mental Health Advisory Board may also set performance standards and take such personnel actions, as to the mental health officer, and assistant mental health officers, if any, as may be necessary up to and including termination.

(2) Purchase of hospitalization days at a certified psychiatric inpatient unit determined and approved by the executive director of the Calhoun-Cleburne Mental Health Board, Inc. Admissions shall be approved by the Executive Director or designee of the Calhoun-Cleburne Mental Health Board, Inc., and the mental health officer or an assistant mental health officer, and based upon available funds as determined by the Calhoun County Mental Health Advisory Board.

(3) Crisis intervention shall be provided through programs of the Calhoun-Cleburne Mental Health Board, Inc. Program expenditures shall include, but not be limited to, salaries, equipment, and other expenses related to services and treatment.

(4) The Calhoun County Mental Health Advisory Board may contract with other entities for services which would otherwise be provided by a Calhoun County Mental Health Officer or assistant mental health officers. If and as determined by the Calhoun County Mental Health Advisory Board, based on need and the availability of funding, the Calhoun County Mental Health Advisory Board may purchase other necessary services or pay necessary expenses, including, but not limited to, the obtaining of liability insurance and errors and omissions insurance for the Calhoun County Mental Health Advisory Board, its members, and its employees, if any.

(Act 2007-376, p. 745; §2.)