Section 36-A. Department research and demonstration projects

1.  The
  department is authorized to sponsor, conduct and participate in research
  and demonstration projects  designed  to  ascertain  and  eliminate  the
  causes of dependency and to rehabilitate recipients of public assistance
  and   care  or  to  demonstrate  the  utilization  of  research  in  the
  administration of public assistance and care.
    2.  Except where a specific appropriation has been made  therefor,  no
  such  research  or  demonstration  project  requiring the expenditure of
  state funds shall be instituted without prior approval of  the  director
  of the budget.
    3.    The department may request the cooperation of any county or city
  social services  district  in  connection  with  any  such  research  or
  demonstration project sponsored or conducted by the department.