Funds appropriated to the department for the operation of the Montana state hospital may be used for carrying out the purposes of 53-21-403 if:

1. (1) Montana state hospital patients are transferred to a community-based nursing home or other community setting that results in lower expenditures than allowed by legislative appropriation; and

2. (2) a transfer of appropriations between programs is:

   1. (a) made as provided in 17-7-139; and
   2. (b) approved by the governor.

History: En. Sec. 8, Ch. 777, L. 2023.