1. The office has a preferred claim against the estate of an individual or an individual's spouse for recovery of funds expended under this chapter for the care of that individual or the individual's spouse. All funds recovered under this chapter must be deposited in the general fund.

2. A claim may not be required to be paid and interest may not begin to accrue during the lifetime of the decedent's surviving spouse, if any.

3. A statute of limitation or similar statute or the doctrine of laches may not bar a claim under this chapter.