(a) The Director of Human Services is authorized and directed to promulgate and adopt all rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of Section 1406 et seq. of this title.

(b) The Director shall establish and maintain such methods of administration (including methods relating to the establishment and maintenance of personnel standards on a merit basis) as are necessary for the proper and efficient administration of the programs and institutions named in Section 1406 of this title; shall maintain records and prepare reports; shall prescribe a uniform accounting system; and shall exercise any other powers necessary to carry out the provisions of Section 1406 et seq. of this title.

(c) The Director may provide for the repair, alterations, or remodeling of any existing building at the above-named institutions, or at any other institution under its jurisdiction, necessary for the proper and efficient administration and to conserve the properties and the state's investment in such properties. Funds available for operating expenses and revolving funds of institutions under the control of the Department may be used for such purposes, and may also be expended for land and other capital outlay, whenever the Department finds the same is needed for the proper discharge of its responsibilities. Any county may convey to the State of Oklahoma, for the use of any such institution, land owned but not needed by the county; and such conveyance may be made without consideration, appraisal, advertisement for bids, or offer to the highest bidder, if the board of county commissioners determines that the same will not be to the detriment of the county.

(d) The Department is authorized to receive grants of federal funds for the purpose of combating or preventing intellectual disabilities, including but not limited to funds for the treatment, care, rehabilitation, or training of individuals with intellectual disabilities, or for the establishment or expansion of any programs or facilities or research projects relating to individuals with intellectual disabilities, or for construction of research centers and facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, and is authorized to cooperate in any reasonable manner with the federal agency or agencies granting such federal funds for such purposes, including compliance with any conditions prescribed by federal authorities for the granting of such funds. The Department may serve as the sole designated state agency for receiving, disbursing, or administering federal funds for any of the aforesaid purposes, provided federal law requires such an agency and the Department is eligible to be such an agency under federal law. Provided, however, that this section shall not prevent any other agency from receiving, disbursing, or administering federal grants for any of the aforesaid purposes, if authorized or required by federal law.

(e) The Department shall establish the duties and fix the compensation of the superintendent and other personnel needed at each of the institutions referred to in Section 1406 of this title. Appointments to all such positions shall be made by the Director.

(f) The Director shall have authority to provide for the expenditure of all funds for the administration and operations of the institutions specified in Section 1406 of this title and for a compliance with the provisions of Section 1406 et seq. of this title.

Added by Laws 1963, c. 37, § 5, eff. July 1, 1963. Renumbered from § 305 of Title 56 by Laws 1982, c. 312, § 48, emerg. eff. May 28, 1982. Amended by Laws 2019, c. 475, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2019.