Any state supported facility under the jurisdiction of the department providing services requiring on-premises residence of patients or clients, including, but not limited to, Bryce Hospital, Searcy Hospital, and Partlow State School and Hospital, shall be considered an essential function of the state, and funds allocated for the support of said state supported facilities shall not be subject to proration at any time a deficit occurs in the general funds.
Ala. Code § 22-50-15 (1975)