53-21-188. Maintenance of indigent patients on discharge. Prior to the discharge of a committed patient from a mental health facility, the professional person in charge of the facility shall notify the welfare department of the county from which the patient was committed. The county welfare department shall at once ascertain whether the discharged patient is in financial need. If the patient is found to be in financial need, the county welfare department shall properly care for and maintain the discharged patient under the laws of this state relating to public assistance until the patient is able to care for himself or until another provision has been made for care of the patient.

     History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 165; L. 1943; amd. Sec. 24, Ch. 266, L. 1963; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 120, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 32, Ch. 466, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 37, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 38-110; amd. Sec. 13, Ch. 547, L. 1979.