As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) CONSUMER. A person who receives or uses mental health services.

Terms Used In Alabama Code 22-56-2

  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • following: means next after. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
(2) DEPARTMENT. The Alabama Department of Mental Health.
(3) FAMILY MEMBER. A person within the immediate family or a legal guardian of a mental health consumer.
(4) MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. Services designed to treat or deal with persons with mental illness.
(5) MENTAL ILLNESS. A psychiatric disorder of thought or mood, or both, which significantly impairs judgment, behavior, capacity to recognize reality, or ability to cope with the ordinary demands of life. “Mental illness” as used herein specifically excludes the primary diagnoses of epilepsy, intellectual disability, substance abuse including alcoholism, or a developmental disability, or any combination thereof.
(6) PROGRAM. A program for providing mental health services.
(7) PROVIDER. Any agency, corporation, or individual who provides inpatient, residential or outpatient mental health services to a consumer or consumers, provided that this chapter shall only apply to physicians licensed to practice medicine to the extent that medical services to individuals covered by the chapter must be provided in accordance with established standards of medical care.
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