Care and treatment of persons suffering from mental disorder or defect; visitation of institutions for

§ 4. The care and treatment of persons suffering from mental disorder\nor defect and the protection of the mental health of the inhabitants of\nthe state may be provided by state and local authorities and in such\nmanner as the legislature may from time to time determine. The head of\nthe department of mental hygiene shall visit and inspect, or cause to be\nvisited and inspected by members of his or her staff, all institutions\neither public or private used for the care and treatment of persons\nsuffering from mental disorder or defect.\n