1. Fund established. The Maine Children’s Cancer Research Fund, referred to in this section as “the fund,” is established as a nonlapsing fund to support children’s cancer research by individuals and organizations determined to be eligible according to rules adopted by the department under subsection 3. Money in the fund must be expended as allocated by the Legislature for the purposes of the fund and may be invested as provided by law. Interest on investments must be credited to the fund.

2. Use of fund. Amounts available in the fund must be used to provide grants and other funding to support children’s cancer research provided by research facilities in this State that operate children’s cancer programs.

3. Administration. The department shall administer the fund and shall adopt rules as necessary to administer the fund and to determine the criteria for eligible recipients. When providing grants and other funding under subsection 2, the department shall consider the number of patients served by programs receiving support. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2?A.

4. Income tax checkoff funding. Revenue collected from the income tax checkoff pursuant to Title 36, section 5292 must be credited to the fund.

5. Other funds. The fund may receive money from any source, including grants, gifts, bequests and donations.