§27-1A-3. Appointment of commissioner; qualifications; term; oath; bond; salary and expenses.

The Governor shall appoint the Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health by and with the consent of the Senate; he shall be known as the Commissioner of Mental Health. Before entering upon the duties of his office, the commissioner shall take and subscribe the oath of office prescribed by section five, article four of the Constitution of this state, the certificate whereof shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State, and he shall give bond in the penalty of $10,000, conditioned as required by law. The commissioner shall serve at the will and pleasure of the Governor. The salary of the commissioner shall be the salary specified in section two-a, article seven, chapter six of this code and in addition thereto he shall be reimbursed for all necessary travel and other expenses incurred in the performance of his duties. The commissioner shall be either a qualified psychiatrist or physician with both clinical and administrative experience, or, a qualified administrator who has at least a master's degree in business administration, hospital administration, or a related field, and not less than four years' experience in health services administration or hospital administration, and with general knowledge of accounting, purchasing and personnel practices as related to the rendition of health and health related services: Provided, That if the commissioner is other than a psychiatrist or physician there shall be appointed by the commissioner a deputy commissioner for clinical services who shall be a psychiatrist.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this code to the contrary, whenever in this code there is a reference to the director of the department of mental health, it shall be construed to mean and shall be a reference to the commissioner of the department of mental health.