Opinion No.

The Honorable Chris Thyer State Representative 326 South Church Street Jonesboro, AR 72401-2912

Dear Representative Thyer:

I am writing in response to your request for my opinion on two questions relating to the following reported facts:

George W. Jackson Community Mental Health Center converted from a state agency to a private, not-for-profit corporation in 1997. This occurred during a time in which most community mental health centers were making such a conversion in response to changes in the state's approach to treating mentally ill residents. The new corporation became Northeast Arkansas…