§ 305 - Duties of department
§ 305. Duties of department
(a) The department shall administer all laws specifically assigned to it for administration.
(b) In addition to the powers vested in it by law, the department may:
(1) Provide the following services:
(A) Child welfare;
(B) Services for alcohol and drug abusers.
(2) Cooperate with appropriate federal agencies in receiving federal funds in support of programs which the department administers.
(3) Submit plans and reports, make regulations, and in other respects comply with pertinent provisions of the Social Security Act.
(4) Receive and disburse funds which are assigned, donated or bequeathed to it for charitable purposes or for the benefit of recipients of social services.
(5) Supervise and control children under its care and custody, and provide for their care, maintenance and education.
(6) Receive in trust and expend in accordance with the provisions of the trust, funds and property assigned, donated, devised or bequeathed to it for charitable purposes or for the benefit of recipients of social services. Trust funds accepted by the department shall be safely invested by the state treasurer. Real property received in trust may, at the discretion of the commissioner, be administered by the department of buildings and general services of the agency of administration. Neither this nor the preceding subdivision shall be construed to require the department to accept funds or trusts, when the commissioner, with the approval of the governor, considers it in the best interests of the state to refuse them.
(7) Aid and assist in local and community projects as in the judgment of the commissioner will best promote the general welfare of the state.
(8) Visit all institutions, homes, places and establishments providing room, board or care to persons receiving social services or benefits from the department. (Added 1973, No. 152 (Adj. Sess.), § 28, eff. April 14, 1974; amended 1975, No. 254 (Adj. Sess.), § 164; 1983, No. 130 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 1989, No. 219 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 8, 12.)