Section 13.17. Programs, services, and operations of facilities in the office of mental retardation and developmental disabilities

(a) The commissioner shall establish policy  and  procedures  for  the
  organization,  administration, and operation of the facilities under his
  jurisdiction. He shall make provision for  the  effective  rendition  of
  services to patients by such facilities or office personnel.
    (b)  There  shall  be  in  the  office  the developmental disabilities
  services offices named below  serving  the  areas  either  currently  or
  previously  served  by  a  school,  for  the  care  and treatment of the
  mentally retarded and developmentally  disabled  and  for  research  and
  teaching  in  the science and skills required for the care and treatment
  of such mentally retarded and developmentally disabled:
    Bernard M. Fineson Developmental Disabilities Services Office
    Brooklyn Developmental Disabilities Services Office
    Broome Developmental Disabilities Services Office
    Capital District Developmental Disabilities Services Office
    Central New York Developmental Disabilities Services Office
    Finger Lakes Developmental Disabilities Services Office
    Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities
    Hudson Valley Developmental Disabilities Services Office
    Metro New York Developmental Disabilities Services Office
    Long Island Developmental Disabilities Services Office
    Sunmount Developmental Disabilities Services Office
    Taconic Developmental Disabilities Services Office
    Western New York Developmental Disabilities Services Office
    Staten Island Developmental Disabilities Services Office
    The New York State  Institute  for  Basic  Research  in  Developmental
  Disabilities  is  designated  as an institute for the conduct of medical
  research and other scientific investigation directed towards  furthering
  knowledge of the etiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental
  retardation and developmental disabilities.
    (c)  The commissioner shall establish the areas which each facility or
  developmental disabilities services office under his jurisdiction  shall
  serve and the categories of clients which shall be served thereby.
    (d)  The  commissioner  may permit other offices of the department and
  any public or private non-profit organization or  political  subdivision
  of  the  state  to  operate  programs  for  the  mentally  retarded  and
  developmentally  disabled,  not  inconsistent  with  the  programs   and
  objectives  of  the  office  in any facility under his jurisdiction. The
  commissioner may permit any facility under his jurisdiction  to  operate
  programs  for  the mentally disabled, not inconsistent with programs and
  objectives of the department, under contracts or agreements  with  other
  offices within the department.