Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 111, § 69E

The commissioner shall have general supervision and control of the Lemuel Shattuck hospital, the Rutland hospital, the Lakeville hospital, the Pondville hospital, and the Western Massachusetts hospital. Subject to appropriation and subject to the provisions of sections twenty-five B to twenty-five G, inclusive, the department shall be authorized to establish at these hospitals any inpatient or outpatient health services, including but not limited to medical, surgical, restorative, rehabilitative or chronic services, mental health and mental retardation services, extended care services, dental services, rehabilitative therapy services, family planning services, services for treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction, skilled nursing care services, intermediate care facility services, and residency care services. Subject to appropriation, the commissioner shall establish a diagnostic evaluation and treatment center for emphysema which is to include professional education and training at the Lemuel Shattuck hospital.

The department may admit patients to any of the services provided at the above hospitals subject to such rules and regulations as the department may prescribe; provided, however, that preference shall be given to residents of the commonwealth. Any such patient shall be discharged from said hospital either upon his own request or upon determination of the department but not otherwise.