66-414. DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED PERSONS WITH ASSETS SUFFICIENT TO PAY EXPENSES — LIABILITY OF RELATIVES. (1) When a developmentally disabled person has been admitted to a state operated facility voluntarily or involuntarily, the director of the facility may cause an inquiry to be made as to the financial circumstances of that person and of the relatives of that person as legally liable for his support, and if it is found that the person or his relatives are able to pay the charges for the care and treatment of the resident or client in the facility in whole or in part, it shall be the duty of the head of the facility to collect the expenses and charges and if necessary to institute in the name of the state a civil suit against the person or persons so liable.
(2) The respondent in judicial proceedings authorized by the provisions of this chapter in which a total or partial guardian, total or partial conservator or commitment has been appointed or ordered, or the applicant in such proceedings if no total or partial guardian, total or partial conservator or commitment is appointed or ordered shall be legally liable for the costs associated with such proceedings, including court appointed counsel and evaluation.
(3) The following relatives shall be bound by law to provide for the expenses and charges for judicial proceedings and for the care and treatment of such developmentally disabled persons: the husband for the wife, the wife for the husband and the parent for his or her minor child or children.
History:
[66-414, added 1982, ch. 59, sec. 7, p. 106.]