1.    The department includes the state hospital, the regional human service centers, a vocational rehabilitation unit, public health division, and other units or offices and administrative and fiscal support services as the commissioner of the department determines necessary. The department must be structured to promote efficient and effective operations and, consistent with fulfilling its prescribed statutory duties, shall act as the official agency of the state in the discharge of the following functions not otherwise by law made the responsibility of another state agency:

a.    Administration of programs for children and families, including adoption services and the licensure of child-placing agencies, foster care services and the licensure of foster care arrangements, certification of shelter care services, child protection services, children’s trust fund, licensure of early childhood programs, refugee services, in-home community-based services, quality control, and administration of the interstate compacts on the placement of children and juveniles.

b.    Administration of programs for individuals with developmental disabilities, including licensure of facilities and services, the establishment funding for family members and corporate guardianships, and the design and implementation of a community-based service system for persons in need of habilitation.

c.    Administration of aging service programs, including nutrition, transportation, advocacy, social, ombudsman, recreation, and related services funded under the Older Americans Act    of    1965    [42 U.S.C.    3001    et seq.],    home    and community-based services, licensure of adult foster care homes, and the committee on aging.

d.    Administration of behavioral health programs, including reviewing and identifying service needs and activities in the state’s behavioral health system in an effort to ensure health and safety, access to services, and quality of services; establishing quality assurance standards for the licensure of substance use disorder program services and facilities; providing policy leadership in partnership with public and private entities; and providing chronic disease management, regional intervention services, and twenty-four-hour crisis services for individuals with behavioral health disorders.

e.    Administration of economic assistance programs, including temporary assistance for needy families, the supplemental nutrition assistance program, home energy assistance, child care assistance, refugee assistance, work experience, work incentive, and quality control.

f.    Administration of medical service programs, including medical assistance for children’s health insurance program, Medicaid waivers, early and periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment, utilization control, autism services, and claims processing.

g.    Administration of general assistance. h.    Administration of child support.

i.    Administration of program, services, and licensing outlined in title 23 and other previous duties of the state department of health and state health council.

2.    The commissioner of the department or commissioner’s designee shall consult with and maintain a close working relationship with the department of corrections and rehabilitation and the superintendents of the school for the deaf and the North Dakota vision services – school for the blind to develop programs for individuals with developmental disabilities; and with the superintendent of public instruction to maximize the use of resource persons in regional human service centers in the     provision of special education services. The commissioner of the department or commissioner’s designee shall also maintain a close liaison with human service zones.

3.    By August 1, 2019, the department shall establish a template for the development of human service zone plans, including process and content requirements, access point expectations, client grievances procedures, human resources, and locally funded programs or services and how those services will be addressed.

4.    The department shall develop, with assistance from the North Dakota association of counties, a process for consultation and technical assistance for human service zone working groups by August 1, 2019.