(a) The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority is established as a public corporation of the state within the Department of Revenue.
(b) The purpose of the authority is to ensure an integrated comprehensive mental health program and to administer the office of the long term care ombudsman established in AS 47.62.010.
(c) The authority
(1) shall, as provided in AS 37.14.009, administer the trust established under the Alaska Mental Health Enabling Act of 1956;
(2) may sue and be sued;
(3) may retain the services of independent counsel when, in the judgment of the authority's board of trustees, independent counsel is needed;
(4) shall insure or indemnify and protect the board, a member of the board, or an agent or employee of the authority against financial loss and expense, including reasonable legal fees and costs, arising out of a claim, demand, suit, or judgment by reason of alleged negligence, alleged violation of civil rights, or alleged wrongful act resulting in death or bodily injury to a person or accidental damage to or destruction of property if the board member, agent, or employee, at the time of the occurrence, was acting under the direction of the authority within the course or scope of the duties of the board member, agent, or employee;
(5) shall exercise the powers granted to it under AS 37.14.041, subject to the limitations imposed by AS 37.14.045; and
(6) shall administer the office of the long term care ombudsman established in AS 47.62.010.
(d) The provisions of AS 44.62.330 - 44.62.630 do not apply to the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority.