Section 217.42. Service areas — offices.

  1.  The organizational structure to deliver the department’s field services shall be based upon service areas designated by the department. The service areas shall serve as a basis for providing field services to persons residing in the counties comprising the service area.

  2.  The department shall maintain an office in each county. Based on the annual appropriations for field operations, the department shall strive to maintain a full-time presence in each county. If it is not possible to maintain a full-time presence in each county, the department shall provide staff based on its caseweight system to assure the provision of services. The department shall consult with the county boards of supervisors of those counties regarding staffing prior to any modification of office hours.

  3.  A county or group of counties may voluntarily enter into a chapter 28E agreement with the department to provide funding or staff persons to deliver field services in county offices. The agreement shall cover the full fiscal year but may be revised by mutual consent.

92 Acts, ch 1079, §1

; 2001 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 4, §1, 9

; 2010 Acts, ch 1031, §296, 401, 402