In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. “Administration” means the Behavioral Health Administration. “Admission” means the process by which an individual is accepted as a resident in: An inpatient facility; or A Veterans’ Administration hospital in this State that provides care or treatment for individuals who have mental disorders. “Admission” includes the physical act of the individual entering the facility or Veterans’ Administration hospital. “Behavioral health care” includes prevention, screening, early intervention, treatment, recovery, support, wraparound, and rehabilitation services for individuals with substance–related disorders, addictive disorders, mental disorders, or a combination of these disorders. “Core service agency” means the designated county or multicounty authority that is responsible for planning, managing, and monitoring publicly funded mental health services. “Director” means the Director of the Behavioral Health Administration. Except as otherwise provided in this title, “facility” means any public or private clinic, hospital, or other institution that provides or purports to provide treatment or other services for individuals who have mental disorders. “Facility” does not include a Veterans’ Administration hospital. “Local behavioral health authority” means the designated county or multicounty authority that is responsible for planning, managing, and monitoring publicly funded mental health, substance–related disorder, and addictive disorder services. “Mental disorder” means a behavioral or emotional illness that results from a psychiatric disorder. “Mental disorder” includes a mental illness that so substantially impairs the mental or emotional functioning of an individual as to make care or treatment necessary or advisable for the welfare of the individual or for the safety of the person or property of another. “Mental disorder” does not include an intellectual disability. “State Advisory Council” means the Behavioral Health Advisory Council. “State facility” means a facility that is owned or operated by the Department. “Treatment” means any professional care or attention that is given in a facility, private therapeutic group home for children and adolescents, or Veterans’ Administration hospital to improve or to prevent the worsening of a mental disorder.

It is the policy of this State: To the best of its ability, to foster and preserve the mental health of its citizens; and To that end, to provide without partiality care and treatment to citizens who have mental disorders.

This title shall be construed in a manner consistent with the policy stated in this subtitle.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, this title applies to a person who is licensed under Title 19 of this article if the person provides care or treatment to individuals who have mental disorders.