2006 New Mexico Statutes - Section 27-1-2 — Powers of state department.

27-1-2. Powers of state department.

The state department of public welfare shall be a public corporation, under the name of "the New Mexico department of public welfare," and under its corporate name, an agency of the state of New Mexico; and shall at all times be and remain under the exclusive control of this state. The management and control of the said department is hereby vested in the state board of public welfare herein provided for.   

Subject to the constitution of this state, the department shall have the power:   

A.     to sue and, with the consent of the legislature of this state, be sued;   

B.     to adopt and use a corporate seal;   

C.     to have succession in its corporate name;   

D.     to make contracts, as herein authorized, to carry out the purposes herein expressed;   

E.     to adopt, amend and repeal bylaws, rules and regulations;   

F.     to purchase, lease and hold such real and personal property as is necessary or convenient for the carrying out of its powers and duties, and to exercise the right of eminent domain to acquire such real property in the same manner as the state now exercises said right, and to dispose of any property acquired in any manner;   

G.     to have such powers as may be necessary or appropriate for the exercise of the powers herein specifically conferred upon it;   

H.     to receive and have custody for protection and administration, disburse, dispose of and account for funds, commodities, equipment, supplies and any kind of property given, granted, loaned or advanced to the state of New Mexico for public assistance, public welfare, social security or any other similar purpose;   

I.     to enter into reciprocal agreements with public welfare agencies of other states relative to the provision for relief or assistance to transients and nonresidents;   

J.     to establish and administer programs of old-age assistance, aid to dependent children and to the needy blind;   

K.     to establish and administer a program of services for children who are crippled or who are suffering from conditions which lead to crippling, and to supervise the administration of those services which are not administered directly by it;   

L.     to establish, extend and strengthen public welfare services for children;   

M.     to establish and administer a program for general relief.