8. a. The commissioner, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, shall designate one or more mental health agencies or facilities in each county or multi-county region in the State as short-term care facilities. The commissioner shall so designate an agency or facility only with the approval of the agency's or facility's governing body.
b. The commissioner shall designate one or more mental health agencies in each county or multi-county region in the State as an outpatient treatment provider, and shall authorize the designated outpatient treatment provider to provide services to persons from a specified geographic area. The commissioner shall so designate an agency only with the approval of the agency's governing body.