Criminal and juvenile justice resource coordination; administrator and staff

(a) The department of the attorney general shall serve as the clearinghouse for information on financial and nonfinancial resources that may be available to assist in improving the delivery or coordination of services under, or the implementation of, programs of the criminal justice and juvenile justice systems and agencies and shall develop, update, and coordinate the implementation of a comprehensive statewide plan of programs and priorities for the improvement of law enforcement and criminal justice, including the prevention and control of juvenile delinquency. In addition, the department may: (1) Seek, apply for, and administer federal funding and other resources to enhance and expand the capabilities of the criminal and juvenile justice agencies; (2) Coordinate and assess information on a statewide basis for the development of policies to improve the criminal justice and juvenile justice systems and programs; (3) Administer state-funded criminal and juvenile justice programs as specifically directed by law or as may be implied through the appropriation of funds; and (4) Administer programs for the prevention of sexual violence and the protection and treatment of victims of sexual violence. (b) The attorney general may employ, without regard to chapter 76, and at pleasure dismiss, an administrator to oversee and carry out the resource coordination functions of the department set forth in subsection (a). In addition, the attorney general may employ, in accordance with chapter 76, other support staff necessary for the performance of the resource coordination functions.