Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, officers and employees of all state departments and agencies that are required by statute or in the discretion of the director of the department covered, or otherwise to furnish bonds conditioned for their honesty or faithful discharge of their duties shall be covered by a blanket bond or bonds as a departmental group or as a state group by corporate surety companies as approved by the director of the department of administration. Treasurers and tax collectors by whatever title known may be covered by individual bonds.