As used in this chapter, unless the context indicates otherwise:

(1) "Department" means the department of social and health services.

(2) "Secretary" means the secretary of the department of social and health services.

(3) "Deputy secretary" means the deputy secretary of the department of social and health services.

(4) "Overpayment" means any department payment or department benefit to a recipient or to a vendor in excess of that to which the recipient or vendor is entitled by law, rule, or contract, including amounts in dispute pending resolution.

(5) "Vendor" means an entity that provides goods or services to or for clientele of the department and that controls operational decisions.

Severability—1987 c 283: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1987 c 283 s 17.]

Savings—1987 c 283: "The enactment of this act shall not have the effect of terminating or in any way modifying any liability, civil or criminal, that is in existence on July 26, 1987." [ 1987 c 283 s 18.]