§44-1-24. Powers and duties of department generally.

The Department of Youth Services shall perform the following :

(1) Provide services for youths who have run away from their own communities in this state or from their home communities in other states to this state, and provide such services, care, or cost for the youths as may be required pursuant to the provisions of the Interstate Compact on Juveniles.

(2) Provide for the expansion of local detention care for youths alleged to be delinquent pending court hearing.

(3) Secure the provision of medical, hospital, psychiatric, surgical, or dental service, or payment of the cost of such services, as may be needed for committed youths.

(4) License and subsidize foster care facilities or group homes for youths alleged to be delinquent pending hearing before a juvenile court or adjudged delinquent following hearing, including detention, examination, study, care, treatment, and training.

(5) Establish, maintain, and subsidize programs to train employees of the department, juvenile courts, and law enforcement personnel in such subject matters and techniques as may be necessary to assure efficient and effective administration of services in accordance with the purpose of this chapter.

(6) Make and enforce all rules and regulations which are necessary and appropriate to the proper accomplishment of the duties and functions vested in the department by law with respect to youth services and which do not conflict with or exceed the provisions of law vesting the duties and functions in the department.

(7) Enter into contracts with any other state or federal agency or with any private person, organization, or group capable of contracting, if the department finds the action to be in the public interest.

(8) Upon approval of the Attorney General, file and prosecute civil actions in any court in the name of the department to enforce this chapter and enforce such rules and regulations as may be promulgated under this chapter. Civil actions may include actions for an injunction to restrain any person, agency, or organization from violating any provision of this chapter or any rule or regulation promulgated under this chapter.

(9) Accept gifts, trusts, bequests, grants, endowments, or transfers of property of any kind and prudently to manage the property in accordance with sound financial principles.

(10) Prescribe and furnish forms to clerks of probate and juvenile courts for use in connection with any action to be taken under this chapter.

(11) Enter into reciprocal agreements with appropriate agencies of other states relative to youth services programs.

(12) Engage in research in the field of youth services, enter into contracts with public or voluntary organizations, including educational institutions, and with individuals for the purpose of securing research and to make provisions for any pay grants to such organizations or individuals in accordance with the rules of the department, as may be necessary to secure the performance of the research.

(Acts 1973, No. 816, p. 1261, §§ 13, 14; Act 98-392, p. 782, §2.)