Sec. IIII-4. Cost-of-living funding. Except as specifically allocated to other purposes under Part A, any unexpended balances in the Department of Health and Human Services, Nursing Facilities, Other Special Revenue funds account as of June 30, 2005 and June 30, 2006 must first be used to the extent necessary to fund the cost-of-living adjustments granted in section 2 of this Part.

PART JJJJ

Sec. JJJJ-1. Adult mental retardation services working group. The Commissioner of Health and Human Services shall utilize existing working groups to advise the commissioner on the adult mental retardation services system. The working groups must include representatives of consumers of services and their families, providers of services, advocates and the Department of Health and Human Services. The working groups must meet at least 4 times to discuss the effective and efficient delivery of services, the needs of consumers, legal requirements for the system, service system redesign and the impact of initiatives authorized by the Legislature or proposed by the department. The commissioner shall provide a report with the recommendations of the working groups to the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs and the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services by January 15, 2006.

Sec. JJJJ-2. Children's services reform working group. The Commissioner of Health and Human Services shall convene a broadly representative working group to advise the commissioner on the children's mental health services and child welfare systems. The working group must include representatives of consumers of services and their families, providers of services, advocates, foster parents and the Department of Health and Human Services. The working group must meet at least 4 times to discuss the effective and efficient delivery of services, the needs of consumers, legal requirements for the system, service system redesign and the impact of initiatives authorized by the Legislature or proposed by the department. The commissioner shall provide a report with the recommendations of the working group to the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs and the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services by January 15, 2006.

PART KKKK