2005 Vermont Code - § 304. — Commissioner; appointment, term, duties and powers

§ 304. Commissioner; appointment, term, duties and powers

(a) The commissioner may exercise the powers and perform duties required for effective administration of the department, and he shall determine the policies of the department.

(b) In addition to other duties imposed by law, the commissioner shall:

(1) Administer the laws assigned to the department.

(2) Fix standards and issue regulations necessary to administer those laws and for the custody and preservation of records of the department. Those regulations shall contain provisions restricting the use or disclosure of information contained in the records to purposes directly connected with the administration of the department. As used in this subdivision, the word "records" includes records, papers, files and communications.

(3) Appoint all necessary assistants, prescribe their duties, and issue regulations necessary to assure that the assistants shall hold merit system status while in the employ of the department, unless otherwise specifically provided by law.

(c) The commissioner, or the governor, whenever the federal law so provides, may cooperate with the federal government in providing community work and training programs in the state.

(d) The commissioner, with the approval of the attorney general, may enter into reciprocal agreements with social and rehabilitation service agencies in other states in matters relating to social and rehabilitation services.

(e) The commissioner shall ensure the provision of services to children or adolescents with a severe emotional disturbance in coordination with the commissioners of education and mental health and mental retardation in accordance with the provisions of chapter 43 of this title. (Added 1973, No. 152 (Adj. Sess.), § 28, eff. April 14, 1974; amended 1987, No. 264 (Adj. Sess.), § 15; 1989, No. 187 (Adj. Sess.), § 5.)