[§346-63]  Social services.  (a)  Thedepartment shall adopt rules to provide social services pursuant to the SocialSecurity Act, as amended, to eligible persons who are residents of the State. Such rules shall include provisions to permit payment for social servicesreceived by recipients from individuals, organizations, or other public orprivate agencies, and to enable the recipients to satisfy statutoryrequirements of state and federal tax and employment insurance programs.

(b)  The department may contract for thepurchase of social services to be performed for the benefit of eligiblerecipients from individuals, organizations, and private or public agencies, orto reimburse an eligible recipient for department authorized social servicesobtained directly from individuals.  Persons performing authorized socialservices obtained directly by the recipient shall not be considered employeesof the State.  The rate of payment for social services obtained directly by therecipient from an individual who is not self-employed shall reflect therecipient's obligation under state and federal tax and employment insurancelaws. [L 1978, c 110, §3]