Section 4200.4. Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

Act—The Mental Health and Mental Retardation Act of 1966 (50 P. S. § § 4101—4704).

Administrator—The county mental health and mental retardation administrator appointed by the local authorities.

Board—The county mental health and mental retardation board appointed by the local authorities.

County—A county or a first class city.

Department—The Department of Human Services of the Commonwealth.

Facility—A mental health establishment, hospital, clinic, institution, center, day care center or other organizational unit, or part thereof, which is devoted primarily to the diagnosis, treatment, care, rehabilitation or detention of mentally disabled persons.

Local authorities—The county commissioners of a county, or the city councils and the mayors of first class cities, or two or more of these acting in concert.

Mental disability—A mental illness, mental impairment, mental retardation, or mental deficiency, which so lessens the capacity of a person to use his customary self-control, judgment and discretion in the conduct of his affairs and social relations as to make it necessary or advisable for him to be under care as provided in the act. The term includes conditions and terms heretofore defined as ‘‘insanity,’’ ‘‘unsoundness of mind,’’ ‘‘lunacy,’’ ‘‘mental disease,’’ ‘‘mental disorder,’’ ‘‘feebleminded,’’ ‘‘moron,’’ ‘‘idiot’’ and ‘‘imbecile.’’ The term shall not include senility, unless mental illness or mental retardation is superimposed.

Mental retardation—Subaverage general intellectual functioning which originates during the developmental period and is associated with impairment of maturation, learning or social adjustment.

Nurse—A person licensed by the State Board of Nursing to engage in the practice of professional nursing within the meaning of The Professional Nurse Law (63 P. S. § § 211—225).

Physician—A physician licensed to practice in the Commonwealth.

Program—A mental health and mental retardation program established by the local authorities and includes a complex of services providing a continuum of care in the community for the mentally disabled.

Psychiatrist—A physician who by years of study, training and experience has achieved professional recognition and standing in the field of psychiatry.

Psychologist—A person who by years of study, training and experience has achieved professional recognition and standing in the field of clinical psychology.

Secretary—The Secretary of the Department.

Social worker—A person who by years of study, training, and experience has achieved professional recognition and standing in the field of social work.