Section 22-50-17 Operation of a Facility for Care or Treatment of Mental or Emotional Illness or Substance Abuse, or Services to Persons with an Intellectual Disability.

(a) No person, partnership, corporation, or association of persons shall operate a facility or institution for the care or treatment of any kind of mental or emotional illness or substance abuse or for providing services to persons with an intellectual disability as defined in this chapter, without being certified by the department or licensed by the State Board of Health; provided that nothing in this section shall be construed so as to require a duly authorized physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, licensed professional counselor operating under the scope of his or her license, or Christian Science practitioner to obtain a license for treatment of patients in his private office, unless he keeps two or more patients in his office for continuous periods of 24 hours or more in one week, or that a church or ministry be certified which provides only religious services. (b) No part of this section shall be construed as a mandate for an insurance policy, plan, or contract to offer or provide new or additional coverage benefits, or require any payment or prepayment to any person by any insurer or health care service plan.