1. (A) The department shall:

   1. (1) notify applicants when they have qualified under the provisions of this chapter;
   2. (2) establish standards of operation and service for county disabilities and special needs programs funded in part or in whole by state appropriations to the department or through other fiscal resources under its control;
   3. (3) review service plans submitted by county boards of disabilities and special needs and determine priorities for funding plans or portions of the plans subject to available funds;
   4. (4) review county programs covered in this chapter;
   5. (5) offer consultation and direction to county boards;
   6. (6) take other action not inconsistent with the law to promote a high quality of services to persons with intellectual disability, related disabilities, head injuries, or spinal cord injuries and their families.
2. (B) The department shall seek to develop and utilize the most current and promising methods for the training of persons with intellectual disability, related disabilities, head injuries, and spinal cord injuries. It shall utilize the assistance, services, and findings of other state and federal agencies. The department shall disseminate these methods to county boards and programs providing related services.

HISTORY: 1990 Act No. 496, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1078; 2011 Act No. 47, Section 2, eff June 7, 2011.

Editor's Note

2011 Act No. 47, Section 13, provides as follows:

"SECTION 13. In Sections 1 through 6 of this act, the terms 'intellectual disability' and 'person with intellectual disability' have replaced and have the same meanings as the former terms 'mental retardation' and 'mentally retarded'."

Effect of Amendment

The 2011 amendment substituted "intellectual disability" for "mental retardation" in subsections (A)(6) and (B).