Section 2E. The commissioner may expend amounts contained in the fund, with the advice and under the guidance of the AIDS advisory board, solely for research treatment, experimental treatment and education related to viral hepatitis, HIV infection or its associated illnesses. Expenditures from the fund for such purposes shall complement and not replace existing local, state or federal viral hepatitis or AIDS–related funding. The commissioner shall determine, with the advice and under the guidance of the AIDS advisory board, appropriate educational efforts to fund. The commissioner, after consultation with the AIDS advisory board, shall develop a list of research priorities and protocols. The commissioner shall make a priority of researching those drug and non-drug therapies that are not made generally available through federal and other state programs and shall prioritize those therapies that show the most promise of combatting viral hepatitis, HIV infection or its associated illnesses.

Not more than 6 per cent of the amounts held in the fund in any 1 year shall be used for administration of the fund; provided, however, that this shall not preclude the appropriation from the General Fund of additional amounts to support the administration of the fund. Notwithstanding any general or special law or regulation to the contrary, the commissioner may develop, with the advice of the AIDS advisory board, procedures for accepting proposals for implementing a purpose of the fund as set forth in this section.