§ 9-216. Functions of Department

   (a) Central administrative department. -- The Department is the central administrative department for:

   (1) juvenile intake, detention authorization, community detention, investigation, probation, protective supervision, predelinquent diversion services, and aftercare services; and

   (2) the State juvenile diagnostic, training, detention, and rehabilitation institutions.

(b) Required programs. -- The Department shall:

   (1) develop programs for predelinquent children whose behavior tends to lead to contact with law enforcement agencies;

   (2) promote predelinquent programs, including greater utilization of youth services bureaus under § 9-234 of this subtitle, that provide services to divert children from the juvenile justice system;

   (3) collaborate with local governments to encourage the use of predelinquent programs provided by youth services bureaus under § 9-234 of this subtitle in response to identified community needs; and

   (4) provide technical assistance to local governments and youth services bureaus under § 9-234 of this subtitle to identify alternative funding sources for predelinquent programs.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 83C, § 2-111; 2007, ch. 3, § 2, 6; 2009, ch. 487, § 1.