Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §20005, sub-§5, as amended by PL 1995, c. 560, Pt. L, §4 and affected by §16, is further amended to read:

5. Budget. Develop and submit to the Legislature by January 15th of the first year of each legislative biennium recommendations for continuing and supplemental allocations, deappropriations or reduced allocations and appropriations from all funding sources for all state alcohol and drug abuse programs, including the provision of child care services to a child whose parent or primary caregiver is receiving substance abuse services and recommendations for improvements for all state alcohol and drug abuse programs. The office shall make final recommendations to the Governor before any substance abuse funds are appropriated or deappropriated in the Governor's proposed budget. The office shall formulate all budgetary recommendations for the Driver Education and Evaluation Programs with the advice, consultation and full participation of the chief executive officer of the Driver Education and Evaluation Programs.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, funding appropriated and allocated by the Legislature for the Office of Substance Abuse is restricted solely to the use of that office and may not be used for expenses of any other part of the department. By January 15th of each year, the director shall deliver a report of the budget and expenditures of the office to the joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over appropriations and financial affairs and human resource matters;

SUMMARY

This bill requires the Office of Substance Abuse to include in its recommendations submitted to the Legislature by January 15th of the first year of each legislative biennium recommendations regarding the provision of child care services to a child whose parent or primary caregiver is receiving substance abuse services and improvements for all state alcohol and drug abuse programs.