53-21-1007. Mental health services contracts. (1) The department shall provide for public mental health services for the purposes of the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness to the extent funded by the legislature.

(2) The department may administer the provision of services for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness directly or indirectly through contract with other agencies of government, private or public agencies, private professional persons, hospitals, or licensed mental health centers.

(3) The department is directed to encourage and create incentives for the use of funding generated by local governments to provide mental health services to participate in federal cost-sharing programs.

(4) The department shall promote the rights of persons with mental illness who are eligible for services to have a choice among qualified providers of mental health services or support services that are administered or funded by the department.

(5) The department shall develop contracts to be bid competitively under the Montana Procurement Act for any service administered or funded by the department that will limit a client's choice of a provider of that service in order to ensure accountability and that necessary services are delivered in all areas of the state. The exception for human services as provided in 18-4-123(18) does not apply.