43-707.

Protection of children; Department of Health and Human Services; powers and duties.

The Department of Health and Human Services shall have the power and it shall be its duty:

(1) To promote the enforcement of laws for the protection and welfare of children born out of wedlock, mentally and physically handicapped children, and dependent, neglected, and delinquent children, except laws the administration of which is expressly vested in some other state department or division, and to take the initiative in all matters involving such children when adequate provision therefor has not already been made;

(2) To visit and inspect public and private institutions, agencies, societies, or persons caring for, receiving, placing out, or handling children;

(3) To prescribe the form of reports required by law to be made to the department by public officers, agencies, and institutions;

(4) To exercise general supervision over the administration and enforcement of all laws governing the placing out and adoption of children;

(5) To advise with judges and probation officers of courts of domestic relations and juvenile courts of the several counties, with a view to encouraging, standardizing, and coordinating the work of such courts and officers throughout the state; and

(6) To regulate the issuance of certificates or licenses to such institutions, agencies, societies, or persons and to revoke such licenses or certificates for good cause shown. If a license is refused or revoked, the refusal or revocation may be appealed, and the appeal shall be in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.