(1) The governor shall designate an agency to implement a program for the protection and advocacy of the rights of persons with developmental disabilities pursuant to the developmentally disabled assistance and bill of rights act, 89 Stat. 486; 42 U.S.C. Secs. 6000-6083 (1975), (as amended). The designated agency shall have the authority to pursue legal, administrative, and other appropriate remedies to protect the rights of the developmentally disabled and to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect. The designated agency shall be independent of any state agency that provides treatment or services other than advocacy services to persons with developmental disabilities.

     (2) The agency designated under subsection (1) of this section shall implement a program for the protection and advocacy of the rights of mentally ill persons pursuant to the protection and advocacy for mentally ill individuals act of 1986, 100 Stat. 478; 42 U.S.C. Secs. 10801-10851 (1986), (as amended). The designated agency shall have the authority to pursue legal, administrative, and other appropriate remedies to protect the rights of mentally ill persons and to investigate allegations of abuse or neglect of mentally ill persons. The designated agency shall be independent of any state agency that provides treatment or services other than advocacy services to mentally ill persons.

     (3) The governor shall designate an appropriate state official to serve as liaison between the agency designated to implement the protection and advocacy programs and the state departments and agencies that provide services to persons with developmental disabilities and mentally ill persons.

[1991 c 333 § 1.]