The Commissioner of the Department of Human Services shall, in distributing any amounts appropriated pursuant to this act, give due consideration to committing funds for establishing essential elements of service in areas lacking comprehensive community mental health centers. In giving this consideration the commissioner shall give due regard to the annual county mental health service plans required pursuant to P.L. 1957, c. 146 (C. 30:9A-1 et seq.).
N.J.S. § 30:9A-9.1