CREATION OF ACCOUNT.

(a) The newborn screening preservation account is a dedicated account in the general revenue fund. Money in the account may be appropriated only to the department and only for the purpose of carrying out the newborn screening program established under this chapter.

(a-1) The department may use money appropriated under Subsection (a) to ensure that the laboratory established by the department or a laboratory approved by the department under Section 33.016 is available seven days a week to perform screening tests required by the department under Section 33.011.

(b) On November 1 of each year, the comptroller shall transfer to the account any unexpended and unencumbered money from Medicaid reimbursements collected by the department for newborn screening services during the preceding state fiscal year.

(c) The account is composed of:

(1) money transferred to the account under Subsection (b);

(2) gifts, grants, donations, and legislative appropriations; and

(3) interest earned on the investment of money in the account.

(d) Section 403.0956, Government Code, does not apply to the account.

(e) The department administers the account. The department may solicit and receive gifts, grants, and donations from any source for the benefit of the account.