56-202. DUTIES OF DIRECTOR OF STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND WELFARE. The director of the state department of health and welfare shall:

(a) Administer public assistance and social services to eligible people;

(b) Promulgate, adopt and enforce such rules and such methods of administration as may be necessary or proper to carry out the provisions of title 56, Idaho Code, except as provided in section 56-203A, Idaho Code;

(c) Conduct research and compile statistics relating to public welfare;

(d) Prepare for the governor and legislature an annual report of activities and expenditures; make such reports in such form and containing such information as the federal government may from time to time require; and comply with such provisions as the federal government may from time to time find necessary to assure the correctness and verification of such reports;

(e) Cooperate with the federal government through its appropriate agency or instrumentality in establishing, extending, and strengthening services for the protection and care of homeless, dependent, and neglected children, and children in danger of becoming delinquent; and to undertake other services for children authorized by law;

(f) Cooperate with the federal government through its appropriate agency or instrumentality in establishing and maintaining a comprehensive system of in-home services as defined in section 67-5006, Idaho Code, designed to assist older persons, as defined in section 67-5006, Idaho Code, of Idaho to continue living in an independent and dignified home environment and to undertake other services for older persons as authorized by law;

(g) Exercise the opt out provision in section 115 of the personal responsibility and work opportunity reconciliation act of 1996, P.L. 104-193. Consistent with this, the department may provide food stamps and services funded under title 4A (including cash assistance, TANF supportive services and at risk payments) to a person who has been convicted of a felony involving a controlled substance as defined in chapter 27, title 37, Idaho Code, if they comply with the terms of a withheld judgment, probation or parole.

History:

[56-202, added 1941, ch. 181, sec. 2, p. 379; am. 1945, ch. 109, sec. 2, p. 165; am. 1967, ch. 373, sec. 14, p. 1071; am. 1976, ch. 9, sec. 6, p. 28; am. 1980, ch. 325, sec. 10, p. 832; am. 1982, ch. 155, sec. 1, p. 421; am. 1996, ch. 50, sec. 2, p. 148; am. 2000, ch. 198, sec. 1, p. 489; am. 2004, ch. 257, sec. 1, p. 732.]