53-20-205. Community services. (1) The department may establish and administer community comprehensive services, programs, clinics, or other facilities throughout the state for the purpose of aiding in the prevention, diagnosis, amelioration, or treatment of developmental disabilities. Programs, clinics, or other services may be provided directly by state agencies or indirectly through contract or cooperative arrangements with other agencies of government, regional or local, private or public agencies, private professional persons, or accredited health or long-term care facilities.
     (2) The department may contract for programs for developmental disabilities services. Contracts entered into by the department shall contain specific conditions for performance by the contractor. It shall set minimum standards for programs and establish appropriate qualifications for persons employed in such programs.
     (3) All developmental disabilities facilities and services shall comply with existing federal guidelines and with requirements which will enable the services and facilities to qualify for available aid funds. However, nothing herein requires facilities serving persons with developmental disabilities to meet the same or equal standards as licensed medical facilities unless the developmental disabilities facility is providing professional or skilled medical care.
     (4) Comprehensive services, programs, clinics, or other facilities established or provided by the department under this part shall conform as nearly as possible to the plans of the advisory council created under 2-15-2204 and the regional councils provided for in 53-20-207.
     (5) The department may promote scientific and medical research investigations relative to the incidence, cause, prevention, and care of persons with developmental disabilities.

     History: (1), (4)En. 80-2615 by Sec. 5, Ch. 325, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 80-2615; amd. and redes. 71-2405 by Sec. 4, Ch. 239, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 42, Ch. 37, L. 1977; Sec. 71-2405, R.C.M. 1947; (2), (3)En. 80-2614 by Sec. 4, Ch. 325, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 80-2614; amd. and redes. 71-2404 by Sec. 3, Ch. 239, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 41, Ch. 37, L. 1977; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 559, L. 1977; Sec. 71-2404, R.C.M. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 71-2404(2), (3), 71-2405; amd. Sec. 13, Ch. 38, L. 1979; (5)En. Sec. 2, Ch. 414, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 21, Ch. 255, L. 1995.