402.185  Productivity enhancing technology.--

(1)  In accordance with the provisions of chapter 216, 20 percent of any unobligated General Revenue Fund or any trust fund appropriation for salaries and benefits, expenses, other personal services, operating capital outlay, and special categories remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall be available to the Department of Children and Family Services for purchases of productivity-enhancing technology, to improve existing services, and for community services initiatives. Funds used for such purposes may be certified forward.

(2)  In addition to the transfer authority provided in subsection (1), the department may transfer up to 0.25 percent of the general revenue appropriations from administrative costs of any budget entity within the department and the necessary administrative positions to increase the staff of the Office of Standards and Evaluation as described in s. 20.19(3). The staff may be established notwithstanding the provisions of s. 216.262(1)(a), but in conjunction with s. 216.177. The expenses of the department for independent contracting or consultation and the salaries and expenses associated with staff authorized in the General Appropriations Act or established through transfer pursuant to this subsection for outcome evaluation and program effectiveness functions shall be paid from funds transferred pursuant to this subsection.