New Mexico § 27-1-2 - Powers of human services [health care authority] department

§ 27-1-2. Powers of human services [health care authority] department

A. The human services [health care authority] department is an agency of the state

and shall at all times be under the exclusive control of this state. The management and control of the human services [health care authority] department

is vested in the secretary of human services. B. Subject to the constitution of New Mexico, the human services [health care authority]

department has the power to: (1) sue and, with the consent of the legislature, be sued; (2) adopt and use a corporate seal; (3) have succession in its corporate name; (4) make contracts as authorized in Chapter 27 NMSA 1978 to carry out the purposes of that chapter; (5) adopt, amend and repeal bylaws, rules and regulations; (6) purchase, lease and hold real and personal property necessary or convenient for

the carrying out of its powers and duties, to exercise the right of eminent domain

to acquire such real property in the same manner as the state now exercises that right

and to dispose of any property acquired in any manner; (7) have such powers as may be necessary or appropriate for the exercise of the powers

specifically conferred upon it in Chapter 27 NMSA 1978; (8) receive and have custody for protection and administration, disburse, dispose

of and account for funds, commodities, equipment, supplies and any kind of property

given, granted, loaned or advanced to the state for public assistance, public welfare,

social security or any other similar purpose; (9) enter into reciprocal agreements with public welfare agencies of other states

relative to the provision for relief or assistance to transients and nonresidents; (10) establish and administer programs of old age assistance and aid to dependent

children and persons with a visual impairment; (11) establish and administer a program of services for children with a disability

or who have a condition that may lead to a disability, and to supervise the administration

of those services that are not administered directly by it; (12) establish, extend and strengthen public welfare services for children; and (13) establish and administer a program for general relief.