Sec. WW-4. Transfer of responsibility. Responsibility for administering the MaineCare Physically Disabled Home and Community Benefits program and the MaineCare Consumer-directed Attendant Services program, referred to in this section as the "programs," are transferred from the Department of Labor to the Department of Human Services on the effective date of this Part. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the following requirements apply to the transfer in this Part of the programs from the Department of Labor to the Department of Human Services.

1. Program costs. The programs must operate within the limitations of legislative appropriations and allocations through authorized and agreed upon cost-saving measures.

2. Program stability. For fiscal year 2004-05 the programs are not subject to redesign. For fiscal year 2004-05 the programs retain Alpha One as the authorized agent of the Department of Human Services.

3. Waiver application. Collaborative and cost-effective efforts must be undertaken to further approval of a consumer- directed home care waiver by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

4. Working group. The Department of Human Services shall convene a working group of interested consumers, providers of personal care services, a representative of the Maine Independent Living Center, organizations representing personal assistants, advocates and department personnel to identify strategies for improving services and to develop an intake system for consumers seeking assistance.

5. Transition provisions. The following provisions apply to the transfer of programs under this Part.

A. All existing rules, regulations and procedures in effect with regard to the programs transferred to the Department of Human Services under this Part, in operation or adopted in or by the Department of Labor remain in effect and continue until rescinded, revised or amended by the Department of Human Services.

B. All existing contracts of the Department of Labor with regard to the programs transferred to the Department of Human Services under this Part remain in effect and continue until rescinded, revised or amended by the Department of Human Services.