BILL NO. 119

(as introduced)

2nd Session, 62nd General Assembly
Nova Scotia
64 Elizabeth II, 2015

Private Member's Bill

Mental Health System Public Inquiry (2015) Act

The Honourable Jamie Baillie
Cumberland South

First Reading: November 13, 2015

Second Reading:

Third Reading:

Be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:

1 This Act may be cited as the Mental Health System Public Inquiry (2015) Act.

2 In this Act,

(a) "Commission" means the commission appointed pursuant to this Act;

(b) "Minister" means the Minister of Health and Wellness.

3 (1) Within 60 days of the coming into force of this Act, the Governor in Council shall, subject to Section 8, appoint one or more persons as a commission to investigate the state of the mental health system in the Province.

(2) The commissioner or commissioners shall be paid such remuneration and reimbursed for such reasonable expenses as the Governor in Council determines.

4 The Commission has all the powers, privileges and immunities of a commissioner appointed pursuant to the Public Inquiries Act.

5 The Commission shall investigate the state of the mental health system in the Province and make recommendations

(a) directed at making the mental health system more effective, more accountable and otherwise better;

(b) suggesting next steps, pilot projects and review mechanisms to ensure appropriate changes are made in accordance with clause (a); and

(c) ensuring the protection of patients, healthcare workers, law enforcement officials and families.

6 Within nine months of its appointment, the Commission shall conduct its inquiry and submit an interim report to the Governor in Council.

7 (1) Within 12 months of its appointment, the Commission shall submit its final report to the Minister.

(2) Within 10 days of the submission of the report to the Minister, the Minister shall

(a) table the report in the House of Assembly if the Assembly is then sitting or, where it is not then sitting, with the Clerk of the Assembly; and

(b) make the report public.

8 The money required for the purpose of this Act must be paid out of moneys appropriated for that purpose by the Legislature.