(a) In addition to sums of money received from the federal government and in addition to appropriations made by the general assembly, the state department of health may accept in the name of and in behalf of the state gifts of money, other than federal and state government allotments or appropriations, which shall be construed as gifts and shall be deposited by the general treasurer in an account or accounts of the department that the director of health may designate.
(b) The provisions of § 35-4-1 shall not apply to the subsection (a) of this section, insofar as they relate to the disposal of money received as gifts.