Sec. 501.017.  COST OF CONFINEMENT AS CLAIM.  (a)  The department may establish a claim and lien against the estate of an inmate who dies while confined in a facility operated by or under contract with the department for the cost to the department of the inmate's confinement.
(b)  The department may not enforce a claim or lien established under this section if the inmate has a surviving spouse or a surviving dependent or disabled child.
(c)  The department shall adopt policies regarding recovery of the cost of confinement through enforcement of claims or liens established under this section.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 212, Sec. 2.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.  Renumbered from Sec. 500.017 and amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 16, Sec. 10.01(a), eff. Aug. 26, 1991.  Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 321, Sec. 1.084, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.