2009 Vermont Code
Title 33 - Human Services
Chapter 1 - DEPARTMENT OF PREVENTION, ASSISTANCE, TRANSITION, (Contains: §§ 101 – 144)
§ 105 -   Commissioner; appointment, term, duties and powers

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

(a) [Repealed.]

(b) 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.

(c) 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.

(4) [Repealed.]

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

(e) The commissioner, with the approval of the attorney general, may enter into reciprocal agreements with social welfare agencies in other states in matters relating to social welfare.

(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of law the commissioner may delegate to any appropriate employee of the department any of the administrative duties and powers imposed on him or her by law, with the exception of the duties and powers enumerated in this section. The delegation of authority and responsibility shall not relieve the commissioner of accountability for the proper administration of the department. (Added 1967, No. 147, § 1; amended 1973, No. 101, § 6; 1983, No. 175 (Adj. Sess.).)