Sec. 11. (a) The 211 services account is established in the state general fund to make 211 services available throughout Indiana. The account shall be administered by the authority.

(b) The account consists of the following:

(1) All money appropriated to the account by the general assembly.

(2) Funds received from the federal government for the support of 211 services in Indiana.

(3) Investment earnings, including interest, on money in the account.

(4) Money from any other source, including gifts and grants.

(c) Money in the account is continuously appropriated for the purposes of this section. The authority may budget, allocate, and disburse from the 211 services account an aggregate amount not to exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) each state fiscal year to carry out the purposes of the authority under this chapter.

(d) The authority, after consulting with the board of directors of Indiana 211 Partnership, Inc., or any successor organization, shall annually prepare a plan for the expenditure of the money in the account. The plan must include a strategy or plan to provide information concerning, and referrals for, human services in accordance with sections 9(a) and 9.5 of this chapter.

(e) Money in the account may be spent for the following purposes:

(1) The creation of a structure for a statewide 211 resources data base.

(2) The development and implementation of a statewide 211 resources data base described in subdivision (1). Permissible expenditures under this subdivision include expenditures for planning, training, accreditation, and system evaluation.

(3) Collecting, organizing, and maintaining information from state agencies, departments, and programs that provide human services, for access by a recognized 211 service provider.

(4) Providing grants to a recognized 211 service provider for any of the following purposes:

(A) The design, development, and implementation of 211 services in a recognized 211 service provider's 211 service area. Funds provided under this subdivision may be used for planning, public awareness, training, accreditation, and evaluation.

(B) The provision of 211 services on an ongoing basis after the design, development, and implementation of 211 services in a recognized 211 service provider's 211 service area.

(C) The provision of 211 services on a twenty-four (24) hour per day, seven (7) day per week basis.

(f) The expenses of administering the account shall be paid from money in the account.

(g) The treasurer of state shall invest the money in the account not currently needed to meet the obligations of the account in the same manner as other public money may be invested.

(h) Money that is in the account at the end of a state fiscal year does not revert to the state general fund.

As added by P.L.60-2004, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.2-2005, SEC.24; P.L.213-2015, SEC.99; P.L.156-2017, SEC.11.