Section 552. Deputy commissioners

The  commissioner  may appoint deputy
  commissioners, one of whom shall have the  same  qualifications  as  the
  commissioner.   There   shall   be   at   least   two  executive  deputy
  commissioners, one of whom shall  have  the  qualifications  established
  pursuant  to the mental hygiene law for a director of community services
  of a local governmental unit, and  shall  be  the  director  within  the
  department  of  the  division  of mental hygiene services. Such division
  shall be and shall exercise the powers of a local governmental unit  for
  purposes   of   the   mental  hygiene  law,  and  the  executive  deputy
  commissioner heading such division shall have the powers of  a  director
  of  community  services  of a local governmental unit as set forth in or
  pursuant to such law, and shall report directly to the commissioner.  In
  the  exercise  of  such powers, such executive deputy commissioner shall
  coordinate the  fiscal  and  programmatic  administration  of  contracts
  awarded  by  the  department  for mental health, mental retardation, and
  alcoholism services.