(a) Based on recommendations of the State Commission on Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Service Delivery submitted to the Board of Human Resources pursuant to Code Section 37-2-34, the board shall designate boundaries for mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse regions, which shall serve as the initial boundaries for establishment of the regional boards and units as prescribed in Code Section 37-2-4.1.

(b) The division, with input from the regional boards and with the approval of the commissioner, shall designate Community Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Service Areas, which, effective July 1, 1994, shall serve as boundaries for the establishment and operation of community service boards within this state for the purpose of delivering certain disability services. For the period through June 30, 1995, and thereafter as the division deems appropriate, the boundaries for the areas and the operation of community service boards shall be the same boundaries as the Community Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Service Areas which were in effect as of July 1, 1993. After July 1, 1995, the division, with input from the regional boards, shall consider requests from a county or group of counties for recommended changes to the boundaries of the community service boards.

(c) To the extent practicable, the boundaries for regional boards and units and community service boards shall not subdivide any county unit or conflict with any districts established by the department and the state relating to the planning for or delivery of health services. In dividing the state into areas, the board, the department, and the division shall take into consideration such factors as geographic boundaries, roads and other means of transportation, population concentrations, city and county lines, other relevant community services, and community economic and social relationships. Consideration shall also be given to the existence of facilities and personnel available in the areas for the delivery of disability services.