§ 193. Public homes. 1. Each public welfare district may establish and maintain a public home, which may include an infirmary for the care of chronically sick patients in addition to facilities for the care of acutely ill patients, and may operate a farm in connection therewith, or may contract with another public welfare district for the care and maintenance of persons in need of institutional care who are unable to pay for such care. If facilities are available in a public home the commissioner of public welfare may establish regulations authorizing the admission and care therein of persons in need of institutional care who are able and willing to pay, in whole or in part for such care and prescribing the conditions under which such admissions may be made. A person in need of institutional care who is unable to pay therefor shall not be refused care in the public home operated and maintained by the public welfare district in which he resides or is found, when persons able to pay for their care are receiving care in such home.

2. If the state commissioner of social welfare shall approve, a public welfare district may use a building or buildings formerly used as a tuberculosis hospital or sanatorium, or as a part thereof, for a public home, a public home infirmary or an infirmary of a public home.