(a) For the purposes of paragraph (11) of subsection (a) of Code Section 50-8-35, the term "human service programs" means any activity authorized by law to be undertaken by the state or by any unit of local government in which it is undertaken, the funds for which program are provided by or through the United States government, an adjoining state, this state, any unit of local government, any agency or instrumentality of the foregoing, or a public or private organization, the purpose of which is to provide assistance to and relieve the special burdens of the young, the indigent, the aged, persons with disabilities, the unemployed, or the ill.

(b) As used in this subsection, "governmental services" means those services provided by local units of government of this state. No authority granted to regional development centers by Code Section 50-8-35 shall be construed to authorize a regional development center to manage, administer, or operate any program involving the direct delivery of governmental services to consumers or to administer contracts for the delivery of governmental services to consumers, except that:

(1) The authority of regional development centers with respect to human service programs, as defined by subsection (a) of this Code section, shall be governed and controlled by paragraph (11) of subsection (a) of Code Section 50-8-35;

(2) The department may specifically authorize governmental services other than human service programs in writing from time to time and for any specified period of time; and

(3) Regional development centers shall be authorized to provide technical assistance to units of local government in areas of governmental services.