Title 29 — State Government

§ 9001. Intent and purpose. (a) The General Assembly finds and declares that parents have the primary responsibility for meeting the needs of their children and the State has an obligation to help them discharge this responsibility or to assume this responsibility when parents ar…

§ 9002. Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families reestablished. There is hereby reestablished the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families hereinafter referred to as the “Department.”64 Del. Laws, c. 108, §§ 1, 14;

§ 9003. Powers, duties, and functions. (a) The Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families has the following powers, duties, and functions: (1) To provide to children, youth, and their families a comprehensive and effective statewide program of services for chil…

§ 9004. Secretary; Division Directors; Acting Secretary; Deputy Secretary. (a) The administrator and head of the Department is the Secretary of the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (“Secretary”), who must be a person qualified by training and experien…

§ 9005. Powers, duties and functions of Secretary. The Secretary shall: (1) Supervise, direct and account for the administration and operation of the Department, its divisions, subdivisions, offices, functions and employees; (2) Appoint and determine the salary, with the written …

§ 9006. Major organizational units created. The following Divisions and other major organizational units are hereby created within the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families: (1) The Division of Family Services which shall be responsible for the provision o…

§ 9007. Exemptions from merit system. All of the following positions are exempt from Chapter 59 of this title: (1) Secretary of the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families. (2) Deputy Secretary of the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Fami…

§ 9008. Advisory Council for Children, Youth and Their Families [Repealed].64 Del. Laws, c. 108, § 14; 65 Del. Laws, c. 168, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 398, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 140, §§ 1, 2; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; repealed by 78 Del. Laws, c. 229, § 1, eff. Apr. 19, 2012.;

§ 9009. Assumption of powers. As of the effective date of this chapter, the Department shall have the power to perform and shall be responsible for the performance of all powers, duties and functions relating to the provision of child protective services, child mental health serv…

§ 9010. Existing rights of appeal preserved. Any and all rights of appeal now existing by law with respect to any act or acts constituting the exercise of any function or functions transferred to the Department or to any division, subdivision or office thereof shall continue to e…

§ 9011. Transfer of functions to Department. (a) All property, including all books, records, papers, maps, charts, plans, equipment and other materials owned by or in the possession of any agency of the State and used in connection with a function transferred by this chapter to t…

§ 9012. Transfer of appropriated funds. Notwithstanding any other provision of state law, any sums appropriated to any division, commission, department, council, agency or person affected by this chapter and any funds appropriated for the provision of child protective services, c…

§ 9013. Annual report. The Secretary of the Department shall make an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly of the Department’s operations and render such other reports as the Governor or General Assembly may request or as may be required by law.64 Del. Laws, c. 1…

§ 9014. Misnomer of Department in donation. Any misnomer shall not defeat or annul any gift, grant, devise or bequest to the Department if it sufficiently appears by the will, conveyance or other writing that the party making the same intended to pass and convey to the Department…

§ 9015. Budgeting and financing. (a) The Secretary, in cooperation with the Department directors and office administrators, shall prepare a proposed budget for the operation of the Department to be submitted for the consideration of the Governor and the General Assembly. The Depa…

§ 9016. Appointment of special investigators; powers and duties. (a) The Secretary may appoint qualified persons to be special investigators for the Department. Such investigators shall hold office at the pleasure of the Secretary. Any person appointed pursuant to this section sh…

§ 9017. Confidential information. (a) In the course of performing its functions as enumerated in this chapter, the Department shall be entitled to inspect and copy all records regarding any children in the care, supervision, protection or custody of the Department and their paren…

§ 9018. Supremacy of chapter. All other laws or parts of laws now in effect inconsistent with this chapter are hereby repealed, superseded, modified or amended so far as necessary to conform to and give full force and effect to this chapter.64 Del. Laws, c. 108, § 14; 67 Del. Law…

§ 9019. Liability for maintenance of children in care of Department; collection remedies. (a) Any person liable for the support of a child under any law of this State shall be liable for the care, maintenance and support furnished to a child committed or admitted to any service p…

§ 9020. Drug testing required. (a) The Department is authorized and required to conduct drug testing as set forth in this section of any employee or prospective employee accepting a safety, security-sensitive, or child care position, as determined by policy and regulations adopte…