§ 43A-7-106. Return of property upon death or discharge.

When any consumer in any state facility subject to the jurisdiction of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services dies or leaves such facility, all property, including money, belonging to said consumer shall be immediately delivered:

1.  To the consumer, if leaving; or

2.  To the guardian or next of kin of the consumer, if the consumer has died.  If the consumer has died and no person is available for such delivery, the facility shall notify the guardian or next of kin of such death and the description of the property on hand by certified mail at the last-known address of such guardian or next of kin.  If the property is not claimed within one (1) year from the date of such notice, then the property shall become the property of the state, and all monies shall be credited to the revolving fund of the facility.

Added by Laws 1961, p. 285, § 2, emerg. eff. July 14, 1961.  Renumbered from § 175 of this title by Laws 1986, c. 103, § 103, eff. Nov. 1, 1986.  Amended by Laws 1990, c. 51, § 105, emerg. eff. April 9, 1990; Laws 2005, c. 150, § 60, emerg. eff. May 9, 2005.