A. 1. When a private hospital or facility has a mentally ill person leave without permission, or the person escapes, the person in charge of the private hospital or facility shall immediately notify the attending physician and, in the case of a committed consumer, the committing court.
2. In the case of a committed consumer, the attending physician shall in turn immediately notify the petitioner, relative or guardian who obtained the commitment to the private hospital or facility.
B. It shall be the responsibility of the petitioner, relative, or guardian who obtained the commitment of the consumer to return the consumer to the hospital or facility and, in the event of a failure to return the escaped consumer, then it shall be the responsibility and duty of the sheriff of the county wherein the consumer is present to apprehend and return the consumer to the private hospital or facility.
C. The county shall reimburse the officers for necessary travel expenses as provided by law.
Added by Laws 1957, p. 420, § 7, emerg. eff. June 5, 1957. Renumbered from § 187 of this title by Laws 1986, c. 103, § 103, eff. Nov. 1, 1986. Amended by Laws 2005, c. 150, § 67, emerg. eff. May 9, 2005.