§ 3-13-104. SCOPE OF AUTHORITY.

(a)

Responsible to state official. Notwithstanding any provision of this title, the Director of the Department of Social Services is responsible to the State Secretary of Human Resources.

(b)

Actions and decisions subject to state supervision and approval. All actions and decisions regarding the administration of social services and public assistance programs provided by the State of Maryland under the authority of the Human Services Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, and any other law, including decisions affecting state personnel who implement those programs, are subject to the supervision and prior approval of the Secretary of Human Resources.

(c)

Retention of authority by state. Notwithstanding any provision of this title, the county acknowledges that the Department of Social Services is an agency of the State Department of Human Resources and that the State Secretary of Human Resources retains the Secretary's authority under Title 2, Subtitle 2 of the Human Services Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, and any other applicable law, to:

(1)

Establish guidelines and procedures to promote the orderly and efficient administration of the State Department with regard to the County Department of Social Services; and

(2)

Exercise and perform any power, duty, responsibility or function of the County Department of Social Services.

(d)

Primary responsibility with state. This title does not alter the Maryland Department of Human Resources' designation as the single state agency with primary responsibility for planning, coordination, development and evaluation of policy, programs, and services for social services and public assistance in the state.

(e)

No power to affect immunities of state. This title is not intended to authorize the Director of Health and Human Services to take actions or render decisions that might affect the immunities of the state, the Department of Social Services or state or Department personnel as provided under state or federal law.

(Bill No. 41-11, § 1, 8-14-2011)