SECTIONS 6715-6718 - California Statutes

WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE

SECTION 6715-6718

6715. The court shall inquire into the financial condition of the
parent, guardian, or other person charged with the support of any
person committed as mentally retarded person, and if it finds him
able to do so, in whole or in part, it shall make a further order,
requiring him to pay, to the extent the court considers him able to
pay, the expenses of the proceedings in connection with the
investigation, detention, and commitment of the person committed, and
the expenses of his delivery to the institution, and to pay to the
county, at stated periods, such sums as the court deems proper,
during such time as the person remains in the institution or on leave
of absence to a licensed hospital, facility or home for the care of
such persons. This order may be enforced by such further orders as
the court deems necessary, and may be varied, altered, or revoked in
its discretion.
The court shall designate some county officer to keep a record of
such payments ordered to be made, to receive, receipt for, and record
such payments made, to pay over such payments to the county
treasurer, to see that the persons ordered to make such payments
comply with such orders, and to report to the court any failure on
the part of such persons to make such payments.

6716. In any case in which the probation officer is charged with
the duty of collecting amounts payable to the county under this
article, upon the verified application of the probation officer the
board of supervisors may make an order discharging the probation
officer from further accountability for the collection of any such
amount in any case as to which the board determines that the amount
is too small to justify the cost of collection; that the statute of
limitations has run; or that the collection of such amount is
improbable for any reason. Such order is authorization for the
probation officer to close his books in regard to such item, but such
discharge of accountability of the probation officer does not
constitute a release of any person from liability for payment of any
such amount which is due and owing to the county. The board may
request a written opinion from the district attorney or county
counsel as to whether any particular amount is too small to justify
the cost of collection, whether the statute of limitations has run,
or whether collection of any particular item is improbable.

6717. The cost necessarily incurred in determining whether a person
is a fit subject for admission to a home for the mentally retarded
and securing his admission thereto, is a charge upon the county
whence he is committed. Such costs include the fees of witnesses,
medical examiners, psychiatrists and psychologists allowed by the
judge ordering the examination. If the person sought to be committed
is not an indigent person, the costs of the proceedings are the
obligation of such person and shall be paid by him, or by the
guardian or conservator of his estate as provided in Division 4
(commencing with Section 1400) of the Probate Code, or shall be paid
by persons legally liable for his maintenance, unless otherwise
ordered by the judge.

6718. The State Department of Mental Health shall present to the
county, not more frequently than monthly, a claim for the amount due
the state by reason of commitments of the mentally retarded which the
county shall process and pay pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 4
(commencing with Section 29700) of Division 3 of Title 3 of the
Government Code.