(a) There is hereby created the Kansas department for children and families, the head of which shall be the secretary for children and families. The governor shall appoint the secretary for children and families, subject to confirmation by the senate as provided in Kan. Stat. Ann. § 75-4315b, and amendments thereto, and the secretary shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. Except as provided by Kan. Stat. Ann. § 46-2601, and amendments thereto, no person appointed as secretary shall exercise any power, duty or function as secretary until confirmed by the senate. The Kansas department for children and families shall be administered under the direction and supervision of the secretary for children and families. The secretary for children and families shall receive an annual salary fixed by the governor.

(b) The provisions of the Kansas governmental operations accountability law apply to the Kansas department for children and families, and the department is subject to audit, review and evaluation under such law.