(a)      There is hereby created and established a State Administration, to be known as the "Social Services Administration", hereinafter referred to as the "State Administration" or as the "State Department".

      (b)      The State Director of Social Services may prescribe the number and minimum qualifications of all of the personnel engaged in the administration of the activities of the State Administration and of the local departments of social services (hereinafter referred to as "local departments"), created or continued under the provisions of § 13 of this article, as are financed in whole or in part by the State Administration.

      (c)      The exercise of all authority, duties, and functions vested in the Social Services Administration or the State Director of Social Services by the provisions of this article or by any other laws of this State shall be subject to the authority of the Secretary of Human Resources as set forth in Article 41 of this Code or elsewhere in the laws of Maryland.