6.__Client; definition.__For the purposes of this section, "client" means a person receiving, seeking or requesting services for persons with mental retardation.

7.__Protection for advocate.__An advocate may not be disciplined or sanctioned for any actions taken on behalf of a client.

8.__Budget.__When submitting a budget request to the Legislature, the department and the Governor shall provide that any funds for the Office of Advocacy be listed in a separate account.

Sec. RR-3. 34-B MRSA §5606, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2005, c. 457, Pt. OO, §3 and affected by §5, is further amended to read:

1. Report and investigation. Any alleged violation of the rights of a person receiving services must be reported immediately to the office of advocacy pursuant to section 1205 Office of Advocacy within the department and to the Attorney General's office.

A. The office of advocacy Office of Advocacy shall conduct an investigation of each alleged violation pursuant to section 1205.

B. The office of advocacy Office of Advocacy shall submit a written report of the findings and results of the investigation to the chief administrative officer of the facility in which the rights of the person receiving services were allegedly violated and to the commissioner within 2 working days after the day of the occurrence or discovery of the alleged incident.

Sec. RR-4. Effective date. This Part takes effect July 1, 2006.

PART SS

Sec. SS-1. 5 MRSA §1660-D, sub-§§9, 10, 11 and 14, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 402, Pt. C, §2, are amended to read:

9. Dollar threshold. "Dollar threshold" means a funding limit that is set to determine how a community agency will be held accountable for agreement receipts of state and federal