(a)    The Secretary shall administer:

(1)    the programs and activities that the federal government delegates to the State under the Older Americans Act of 1965 that are not otherwise committed by law to another unit of State government; and

(2)    the federal Commodity Supplemental Food Program with funds and resources received from the United States Department of Agriculture under 7 C.F.R. 247.

(b)    The Secretary:

(1)    is a member of the Governor’s Executive Council; and

(2)    shall cooperate with and receive the cooperation of State, federal, and local governmental units to carry out the purposes of this title.

(c)    The Secretary shall:

(1)    evaluate the service needs of seniors in the State;

(2)    determine the extent to which existing public and private programs meet the needs of seniors;

(3)    establish priorities for meeting the needs of seniors;

(4)    coordinate, subject to existing law, assess and evaluate, and educate the public and professionals about all State and local programs and services, both public and private, that relate and are important to the well–being of seniors in the State, including programs and services in the areas of:

(i)    income maintenance;

(ii)    public health;

(iii)    mental health;

(iv)    housing and urban development;

(v)    employment;

(vi)    education;

(vii)    recreation; and

(viii)    rehabilitation of seniors with physical or mental disabilities; and

(5)    develop a statewide plan incorporating local plans for a comprehensive and coordinated system of health, social, and community services for seniors, including housing and institutional and noninstitutional care.

(d)    The Secretary shall:

(1)    represent the interests of seniors by serving as an advocate at all levels of government;

(2)    consult with and advise the secretaries of the principal departments of State government about the programs and services for seniors that are the primary responsibility of those departments;

(3)    consult with the Commission on Aging on all matters pertaining to programs for seniors;

(4)    provide consultation and technical assistance to communities and civic groups developing local services for seniors;

(5)    maintain a clearinghouse of information related to the interests of seniors; and

(6)    review and recommend policies to the Governor on publicly funded plans and programs that affect seniors.

(e)    The Secretary may adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of law that are within the jurisdiction of the Secretary.