Arkansas Code Title 20. Public Health and Welfare § 20-48-209. Board of Developmental Disabilities Services--Planning and implementation

(a)(1) The Board of Developmental Disabilities Services is designated as the single state agency for the purpose of full participation under any federal act requiring the designation of a single state agency concerning planning, formulation, and implementation of programs, construction and operation of facilities, financing of facilities and programs, or otherwise pertaining to the obtaining and rendition of intellectual and developmental disabilities services.

(2) However, subdivision (a)(1) of this section does not deprive other public agencies of jurisdiction over or the right to plan for and control and operate programs that pertain to intellectual and developmental disabilities services but which fall within the primary jurisdiction of other public agencies such as programs administered by the Arkansas School for the Deaf, the Arkansas School for the Blind, the Career Education and Workforce Development Board, the State Board of Education, the Department of Health, and the Department of Human Services.

(b)(1) The Board of Developmental Disabilities Services may coordinate the planning and implementation of intellectual and developmental disabilities programs and institutional and community activities of all public agencies.

(2) However, subdivision (b)(1) of this section does not deprive other public agencies of jurisdiction over or the right to plan for and control and operate programs that pertain to intellectual and developmental disabilities services but which fall within the primary jurisdiction of other public agencies such as programs administered by the Arkansas School for the Deaf, the Arkansas School for the Blind, the Career Education and Workforce Development Board, the State Board of Education, the Department of Health, and the Department of Human Services.

(c)(1) Effective planning and coordination is essential to the public interest.

(2) In order to achieve this to the fullest extent possible, the Board of Developmental Disabilities Services may establish and promulgate rules fixing standards for intellectual and developmental disabilities programs and activities and evaluate intellectual and developmental disabilities programs and activities of public agencies.