Sec 36-552. Developmental disabilities function; expenditure limitation

A. The department shall function as the developmental disabilities authority for the state of Arizona.

B. No provisions of this chapter shall be construed to give the department control of lawful activities of other governmental agencies or of activities of the universities or colleges of this state in the field of developmental disabilities, unless by specific contract or agreement therefor.

C. Subject to annual legislative appropriation and other available funding, the department shall provide a wide variety of developmental disability programs and services throughout the state in response to the wide range of developmental disability conditions, the capabilities of persons with developmental disabilities and the presence of other disabling conditions for persons with developmental disabilities.

D. The department may contract with other state agencies and with private agencies to provide the developmental disabilities program or service.

E. The total amount of state monies that may be spent in any fiscal year by the department for developmental disabilities services pursuant to this chapter shall not exceed the amount appropriated or authorized by section 35-173 for that purpose. This chapter shall not be construed to impose a duty on an officer, agent or employee of this state to discharge a responsibility or to create any right in a person or group if the discharge or right would require an expenditure of state monies in excess of the expenditure authorized by legislative appropriation for that specific purpose.