Opinion No. 43-4393
October 7, 1943
TO: Mr. Gordon Herkenhoff, Director, Department of Public Welfare, Santa Fe, New Mexico
I have your letter of September 20, 1943 concerning whether or not the Public Welfare Department may, under our statutes, provide any service necessary to make blind persons employable, when such service might include medical examinations, medical or surgical care, hospitalization, artificial appliances, rehabilitation training (books, etc.), maintenance of trainee while in training, transportation, occupational licenses and ordinary occupational tools and equipment.
In view of the provisions of Sections 73-103 (j), 73-104 (a), and 73-123 (d) of the New Mexico 1941 Compilation, it is so clear that the Public Welfare Department may provide such services to the blind that I consider it unnecessary to go into detail concerning the reasons for my opinion.
Hoping that the above fully answers your questions, I am
By HARRY L. BIGBEE
Assistant Attorney General