Section 37-23-131 - General duties of departmentThe department, in implementing the provisions of Sections 37-23-121 through 37-23-131, shall have the following duties:
(a) To establish in various areas of the state, the location and size of which shall be determined by the department, a team of full-time, qualified professional persons trained, individually or collectively, in such disciplines as psychology, speech and hearing, special education, educational evaluation, and social work. One team shall be provided for each area, and shall render diagnostic evaluation, and related services to all children who are being considered for possible or continued placement in educational programs for exceptional children.(b) To contract for or purchase services of clinical and medical specialists, including, but not limited to, pediatricians, neurologists and psychiatrists, when such services of specialists are needed and not available from members of a team.(c) To provide for consultation with school personnel, parents and agencies concerned with exceptional children and to serve as resource personnel to which such persons and agencies may consult for assistance in solving problems related to diagnosis and evaluation of exceptional children.(d) To provide personnel to serve as a resource in programs of preservice and inservice training of teachers.(e) To disseminate information to the public with regard to exceptional children.Laws, 1974, ch. 374, § 6; Laws, 1978, ch. 461, § 15, eff. 7/1/1978.