Research

Administrative History

The State Commission in Lunacy was established pursuant to Chapter 283, Laws of 1889 (as amended by Chapter 273, Laws of 1890) and empowered to license, regulate and investigate public and private institutions that provided for the care of the state's mentally ill. It was charged with investigating the care and treatment of patients, the condition of physical facilities and the management of all such institutions; and establishing rules and regulations it deemed necessary and/or desirable to insure the proper care of patients. In addition, the commission was required to maintain a record of all judges and medical examiners who were legally qualified to order the commitment of an insane person; and to register all of the insane in custodial care.