(a) On July 1, 1980, the following boards are hereby abolished:

(1) The state board of examiners of psychologists created by Kan. Stat. Ann. § 1979 Supp. 74-5303; and

(2) the board of social work examiners created by Kan. Stat. Ann. § 1979 Supp. 75-5349.

(b) All of the powers, duties and functions of the boards designated in subsection (a) and all of the powers, duties and functions of the secretary of social and rehabilitation services under Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 75-5346 to 75-5361, inclusive, and amendments thereto, are hereby transferred to and conferred and imposed upon the behavioral sciences regulatory board.

(c) The behavioral sciences regulatory board shall be the successor in every way to the powers, duties and functions of the boards designated in subsection (a) and to the powers, duties and functions of the secretary of social and rehabilitation services under Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 75-5346 to 75-5361, inclusive, and amendments thereto, in which the same were vested prior to the effective date of this act, except as otherwise provided by this act. Every act performed in the exercise of such powers, duties and functions by or under the authority of the behavioral sciences regulatory board shall be deemed to have the same force and effect as if performed by the boards designated in subsection (a) or by the secretary of social and rehabilitation services under Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 75-5346 to 75-5361, inclusive, and amendments thereto, in which the same were vested prior to the effective date of this act.

(d) Whenever the boards designated in subsection (a), or words of like effect, and the secretary of social and rehabilitation services in regard to the powers, duties and functions of the secretary under Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 75-5346 to 75-5361, inclusive, and amendments thereto, are referred to or designated by a statute, contract or other document, such reference or designation shall be deemed to apply to the behavioral sciences regulatory board.

(e) All rules and regulations of the boards designated in subsection (a) and rules and regulations of the secretary of social and rehabilitation services adopted under Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 75-5346 to 75-5361, inclusive, and amendments thereto, shall continue to be effective and shall be deemed to be duly adopted rules and regulations of the behavioral sciences regulatory board, until revised, amended, revoked or nullified pursuant to law. The board shall review such rules and regulations and shall adopt new rules and regulations, if necessary, pursuant to Kan. Stat. Ann. § 77-415 et seq., and amendments thereto.

(f) The behavioral sciences regulatory board shall be a continuation of the boards designated in subsection (a).