Bill 117 2010

An Act to amend the Child and Family Services Act and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Act to transfer the administration of certain children's mental health services to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care

Note:  This Act amends or repeals more than one Act.  For the legislative history of these Acts, see the Table of Consolidated Public Statutes – Detailed Legislative History at www.e-Laws.gov.on.ca.

Preamble

The burden of mental illnesses and addictions on individuals, their families and society must be reduced.  Ensuring that all residents of Ontario have timely and equitable access to an integrated and client-directed health system will help reduce this burden.  Such a health system should include health promotion, prevention, early intervention, treatment and community support programming.  It must be well co-ordinated and efficient and provide excellent services and programming.  Giving the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care the responsibility of administering programs related to the treatment of children with mental disorders is a step toward achieving these goals.

Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Child and Family Services Act

   1.  (1)  The definition of "Minister" in subsection 3 (1) of the Child and Family Services Act is repealed and the following substituted:

"Minister" means, except in Part VI, the Minister of  Children and Youth Services or such other member of the Executive Council as may be designated under the Executive Council Act to administer this Act; ("ministre")

   (2)  Section 112 of the Act is amended by adding the following definition:

"Minister" means the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care; ("ministre")

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Act

   2.  Subsection 3 (2) of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Administration of Acts

   (2)  Subject to subsection (2.1), the Minister is responsible for the administration of this Act and any other Acts that are assigned to him or her by the Legislature or by the Lieutenant Governor by order in council.

Children's mental health

   (2.1)  Despite the Executive Council Act and any other assignment made by the Lieutenant Governor by order in council, the Minister is responsible for the administration of Part VI (Extraordinary Measures) of the Child and Family Services Act.

Commencement and Short Title

Commencement

   3.  This Act comes into force six months after the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

   4.  The short title of this Act is the Children's Mental Health Act, 2010.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill amends the Child and Family Services Act and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Act to transfer the administration of programs under Part VI of the Child and Family Services Act from the Minister of Children and Youth Services to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.  The programs affected relate to the treatment of children with mental disorders in which continuous restrictions are imposed on the liberty of children.