A.  By receiving services from and living in a licensed, state-operated, twenty-four-hour residential facility provided by or through the office, the person shall be deemed to have made an assignment to the department of his right, title, and interest in any property he owns, including interest in any trust or succession, up to the cost of the services actually provided.  The portion of property and all assets which, pursuant to federal regulations or statute, the person may retain and still maintain eligibility for coverage under Title XIX of the Social Security Act programs or successor programs shall be exempt from such assignment.

B.  The department shall be subrogated to the rights of any such person with regard to such property to the full extent of the costs due for providing such services to the person.  The department shall be required to initiate or intervene in any civil actions, either in the name of the department or in the name of the person, in order to collect such costs.

C.  This Section shall be liberally construed in order to effectuate its purpose.

Acts 2005, No. 128, §1, eff. June 22, 2005.