75-5908. Powers and duties of secretary. In addition to powers and duties otherwise provided by law, the secretary shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) To evaluate all programs, services and facilities for the aged within the state and determine the extent to which present public or private programs, services and facilities meet the needs of the aged.

(b) To evaluate and coordinate all programs, services and facilities for the aging presently furnished by state and federal agencies, and make appropriate recommendations regarding such services, programs and facilities to the governor and the legislature.

(c) To function as the sole state agency to develop a comprehensive plan to meet the needs of the state's senior citizens.

(d) To receive and disburse federal funds made available directly to the department, including those funds made available under the federal older Americans act of 1965, 42 U.S.C. § 3001 et seq., and amendments thereto, for providing services for senior citizens or for purposes related thereto and to develop and administer any state plan for the aging required by federal law.

(e) To solicit, accept, hold and administer in behalf of the state any grants, devises or bequests of money, securities or property to the state of Kansas for services to senior citizens or purposes related thereto.

(f) To provide consultation and assistance to communities and groups developing local and area services for senior citizens.

(g) To promote community education regarding the problems of senior citizens through institutes, publications, radio, television and the press.

(h) To cooperate with agencies of the federal government in studies and conferences designed to examine the needs of senior citizens and to prepare programs and facilities to meet those needs.

(i) To establish and maintain information and referral sources throughout the state in conjunction with other agencies.

(j) To provide such staff support as may reasonably be required by the council.

(k) To establish state policies for the administration of the department; for the disbursement of federal older Americans act funds within the state; and for state administration of federal older Americans act programs consistent with relevant federal law, rules and regulations, policies and procedures.

(l) To keep informed of the latest developments of research, studies and programs being conducted nationally and internationally on problems and needs of aging.

(m) To adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary to administer the provisions of article 59 of chapter 75 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto.

(n) To lend surplus state property under the authority of the Kansas department for aging and disability services to area agencies on aging or to the state long-term care ombudsman to help them perform duties required under state and federal programs administered by the Kansas department for aging and disability services.

(o) To enter into any contract or agreement which the secretary finds necessary to perform the powers, duties and functions of the secretary or the department.

History: L. 1977, ch. 288, § 8; L. 1998, ch. 95, § 1; L. 2014, ch. 115, § 383; July 1.