(1) The department has the authority to execute, administer, perform, and enforce the rights, powers, duties, functions, and obligations vested in the board of control of the state children's home, the board of control of the Mount View girls' school, and the division of administration of the division of parole prior to July 1, 1959.
(2) Except where the context plainly requires otherwise, "board" or "boards of control", with reference to the institutions and the division listed in subsection (1) of this section, means and refers to the department of human services.