35-1-620. Powers and duties of department and its divisions.

(a) The department through its divisions may:

(i) Enter into cooperative contracts with private agencies, public agencies and community boards by negotiation without competitive bids or by competitive bidding. The department shall not contract with any entity which is not in substantial compliance with the standards and guidelines under subsection (b) of this section. The department shall not contract with any entity to purchase shelter and crisis services for victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault;

(ii) Consult with and advise community boards, political subdivisions, nonprofit corporations, state agencies, health and medical groups within the state and the United States public health service about standards for the promotion of services to residents of Wyoming for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, substance abuse and developmental disabilities and for the provision of other community based services which serve a public purpose.

(b) The department shall:

(i) Prescribe professional standards for personnel providing services purchased in whole or in part by the state under this act. The standards do not replace the standards for licensing under any other Wyoming law;

(ii) Prescribe standards for the quality of human services programs which provide state purchased services under this act;

(iii) Establish a uniform schedule of fees which will act as a guideline for state purchased services provided to clients by human services programs under this act. The schedule shall accurately reflect a client's ability to pay;

(iv) Review and comment on an application for funds submitted by any entity to the federal government for a human services program established or funded under this act other than programs providing shelter and crisis services for victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault;

(v) Review and evaluate all programs authorized or funded under this act other than programs providing shelter and crisis services for victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault;

(vi) For state purchased services select the most appropriate service providers within each region in order to achieve the most effective and efficient human services system;

(vii) Prescribe procedures to ensure that programs providing state purchased services provide for the confidentiality of patient records; and

(viii) Prescribe conditions of eligibility for funding under this act so that no person shall be denied services on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin or inability to pay.