(a) The Arkansas Rehabilitation Services shall be administered, under the general supervision and direction of the appropriate division of the Department of Human Services, by a deputy director, appointed in accordance with established personnel standards and on the basis of education, training, experience, and demonstrated ability in the field of rehabilitation.

(b) In carrying out his or her duties under this subchapter, the deputy director:

(1) Shall, with the approval of the Director of the Department of Human Services, prepare regulations for promulgation by the appropriate division of the department governing personnel standards, the protection of records and confidential information, the manner and form of filing applications, eligibility, and investigation and determination thereof, for rehabilitation services, procedures for fair hearings, and such other regulations as he or she finds necessary to carry out the purposes of this subchapter, including the order to be followed in selecting those to whom rehabilitation services are to be provided in situations where service cannot be provided to all who are eligible for service;

(2) Shall, with the approval of the director, establish appropriate subordinate administrative units within the Arkansas Rehabilitation Services;

(3) Shall recommend to the director for appointment such personnel as he or she deems necessary for the efficient performance of the functions of the Arkansas Rehabilitation Services;

(4) Shall prepare and submit to the director and the Governor annual reports of activities and expenditures and, prior to each regular session of the General Assembly, estimates of sums required to carry out this subchapter, as well as estimates of the amounts to be made available for this purpose from all sources;

(5) Shall make certification for disbursement, in accordance with regulations, of funds available for carrying out the purposes of this subchapter; and

(6) May, with the approval of the director, delegate to any officer or employee of the Arkansas Rehabilitation Services such of his or her powers and duties, except the making of regulations and the making of recommendations for appointment of personnel, as he or she finds necessary to carry out the purposes of this subchapter.