Sec. 281.071. PAYMENT AND SUPPORT. (a) The administrator shall inquire into a patient's circumstances and the circumstances of the patient's relatives legally responsible for the patient's support if the patient is admitted to district facilities from the county in which the hospital is located. If the administrator finds that the patient or the patient's relatives are liable for the patient's care and treatment in whole or in part, the administrator shall issue an order directing the patient or the patient's relatives to pay to the district treasurer a specified amount each week in proportion to the financial ability of the patient or the patient's relatives to pay.

(b) A patient or the patient's relatives may not be required to pay an amount greater than the actual per capita cost of maintenance.

(c) An administrator may collect an amount owed under this section from the estate of a patient, or the relatives legally responsible for the patient's support, in the manner provided by law for the collection of expenses of the last illness of a deceased person.

(d) If the administrator finds that the patient and the patient's relatives are not able to pay in whole or in part, the district shall without charge supply the care and treatment to the patient.

(e) A county court of the county in which a patient's hospital is located shall hear and determine the ability of the patient or the patient's relatives to pay under this section if there is a dispute over this ability or if there is doubt in the mind of the administrator over this ability. The court shall hear witnesses and issue any order that may be proper.

(f) An appeal from an order of the county court must be made to a district court in the county in which the district is located.

Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.