Functions of the department

§ 111. Functions of the department. To assist welfare departments to carry out their responsibilities, powers and duties to enforce the liability of persons for the support of certain of their dependents who are applicants for or recipients of public assistance or care or who are in receipt of child support services pursuant to section one hundred eleven-g of this chapter, the department shall:

1. Continue to act as, and perform the functions of, state information agent for the purposes of the uniform interstate family support act of this state (article 5-B of the family court act) and reciprocal laws of other states.

2. As required by section three hundred seventy-two-a, aid in the location of deserting parents and, for such purpose, operate a central registry of deserting parents, obtain and transmit pertinent information and data from public officials and agencies and assist in the training of local personnel employed to locate such parents.

3. Stimulate and encourage cooperation, through the holding of meetings and the exchange of information, between and among public officials, law enforcement agencies and courts having powers and duties relating to the enforcement of the liability of persons for the support of indigent members of their families, including cooperation with public officials, agencies and courts of other states.

4. Upon request, or when required to do so by other provisions of law, advise such officials in the performance of their duties hereinabove referred to.

5. Develop or assist in the development of appropriate forms, guides, manuals, handbooks and other material which may be necessary or useful effectively to accomplish the foregoing and the purposes therefor.