9-2-2104. Duties and powers of director of department.

(a) The director shall:

(i) Consult with the departmental advisory council and establish general policy to be followed in the department in administering programs;

(ii) Disburse and administer all federal funds or other monies allotted to the department;

(iii) Prescribe by rule, order or regulation the conditions under which these monies shall be disbursed and administered. Any audit performed shall comply with the requirements of W.S. 9-1-507;

(iv) Enter into agreements, not inconsistent with the laws of this state, required as conditions precedent to receiving funds or other assistance. Funds appropriated by the legislature for operation of the department shall be used for the specified purposes only, and the director, in accepting funds from any other source, shall not consent to impairment of the department's statutory responsibilities;

(v) Hold hearings, administer oaths, subpoena witnesses and take testimony as provided by the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act in all matters relating to the exercise and performance of the powers and duties vested in the department;

(vi) With the assistance of the attorney general bring actions in the courts of the state in the name of the department for the enforcement of public welfare laws;

(vii) Promulgate reasonable rules and regulations in compliance with the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act, for the implementation of all state and federal welfare laws;

(viii) Appoint and prescribe the duties of the superintendent of the Wyoming boys' school and the superintendent of the Wyoming girls' school. Each superintendent shall be under the direct authority and control of the director and may be removed by the director at any time without cause;

(ix) Ensure all rules and other written statements of policy or interpretation formulated or adopted by the department use language which focuses on the importance of a person, rather than a person's disability.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a)(iv) of this section, the director may use funds appropriated by the legislature for the operation of the department to pay health or medical insurance premiums for any resident of Wyoming upon a determination by the director or his designee that:

(i) Due to an injury or illness, the person or his family is or may become unable to pay health or medical insurance premiums;

(ii) The person is or may become eligible for medical services which would be paid for by the state; and

(iii) Payment of the premiums may be less expensive for the state than payment of the medical services.

(c) Health or medical insurance premiums paid for in accordance with subsection (b) of this section shall be reviewed periodically to ensure payment of the premiums does not exceed the cost for provision of medical services. The authority granted under subsection (b) of this section shall terminate effective June 30, 1996.