Sec. 47.37.245. - Wages of patients. - Alaska Statutes

(a) A participant in a residential drug abuse or alcoholism treatment program may be paid wages for work therapy. The payment of wages for work therapy by a drug or alcoholism treatment program shall be considered an allowable cost under the department's regulations governing costs a grantee may pay with money received from a grant.

(b) No part of the wage earned by the patient worker may be deducted for the cost of room, board, or services. The program, however, after the payment of wages, may assess and collect the reasonable cost of treatment according to rates established under AS 47.37.240, and on the same basis it assesses and collects from nonworking patients.

(c) Wages earned by the patient worker may be held in trust by the program for the benefit of the patient, and, except as provided in (d) of this section, may be disbursed by the program only with the patient's consent

(1) for the support of the patient's dependents;

(2) to pay a civil judgment;

(3) for the purchase of gifts, clothing, and items of personal use;

(4) to pay restitution or a fine;

(5) for other purposes considered appropriate by the treatment program.

(d) Wages earned by the patient worker may be disbursed without the patient's consent in accordance with a final court order.