The board has powers to contract, accept funds, make rules, and authorize officials, and it must set waiver criteria and cannot grant waivers to certain disqualified people.
The board is authorized to enter into a contract or contracts with state, local, municipal, county or metropolitan correctional and criminal justice officials as may be necessary in order to carry out title 40, chapter 28, this chapter and chapter 21 of this title. In addition, the board has the power to contract with appropriate officials in other states who wish to utilize the services of the institute. The power to contract shall include the power to contract with public agencies or officials for enrolling trainees in general courses or establishing special courses and study projects designed to meet the needs of agencies or units of government. The board is authorized to accept and expend local, federal or foundation funds, contributions or grants as may be received and allotted for the purposes of this chapter. The board shall promulgate rules and regulations for the implementation and the effective operation of this chapter. The board has the right and power to call on the office of the attorney general and reporter for any necessary legal representation or assistance. The board may authorize its executive director or other official of the institute to execute contracts and take such other actions as it may specify from time to time. The board is empowered to and shall establish criteria for determining whether to waive the minimum qualifications required to be a jail administrator, workhouse administrator, jailer, corrections officer, or guard in a county jail or workhouse, as provided in § 41-4-144. The board shall not grant waivers for any person hired as a jail administrator, workhouse administrator, jailer, corrections officer, or guard in any county jail or workhouse who has been dishonorably discharged from the military, has any mental impairment which affects the person's ability to perform any essential function of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation, has a conviction for domestic assault or a felony conviction. The board's decision to grant waivers under subsection (f) shall be appealable to the chancery court. The board shall adopt rules and regulations in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5, to implement subsection (f).