(a) The spouse, father, mother, or children of a patient in a state hospital, the estates of these persons, and the guardian or conservator and administrator of the estate of the patient shall cause him or her to be properly and suitably cared for and maintained, and shall pay the costs and charges for transportation to a state institution. The spouse, father, mother, or children of a patient in a state hospital and the administrators of their estates, and the estate of the person shall be liable for his or her care, support, and maintenance in a state institution of which he or she is a patient. The liability of these persons and estates shall be a joint and several liability, and the liability shall exist whether the person has become a patient of a state institution pursuant to the provisions of this code or pursuant to the provisions of Sections 1026, 1368, 1369, 1370, and 1372 of the Penal Code.
(b) This section does not impose liability for the care of persons with intellectual disabilities in state hospitals.
(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 50, Sec. 121. (SB 1005) Effective January 1, 2017.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018