Whenever any patient in any state institution subject to the jurisdiction of the State Department of Developmental Services escapes, or is discharged or is on leave of absence from such institution, and any personal funds or property of such patient remains in the hands of the superintendent thereof, and no demand is made upon said superintendent by the owner of the funds or property or his legally appointed representative, all money and other intangible personal property of such patient, other than deeds, contracts, or assignments, remaining in the custody or possession of the superintendent thereof shall be held by him for a period of seven years from the date of such escape, discharge, or leave of absence, for the benefit of such patient or his successors in interest; provided, however, that unclaimed personal funds or property of minors on leave of absence may be exempted from the provisions of this section during the period of their minority and for a period of one year thereafter, at the discretion of the Director of Developmental Services.

Upon the expiration of said seven-year period, any money and other intangible property, other than deeds, contracts, or assignments, remaining unclaimed in the custody or possession of the superintendent shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 1500) of Title 10 of Part 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

Upon the expiration of one year from the date of such escape, discharge, or parole:

(a) All deeds, contracts or assignments shall be filed by the superintendent with the public administrator of the county of commitment of such patient;

(b) All tangible personal property other than money, remaining unclaimed in his custody or possession, shall be sold by the superintendent at public auction, or upon a sealed-bid basis, and the proceeds of the sale shall be held by him subject to the provisions of Section 4465 of this code, and subject to the provisions of Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 1500) of Title 10 of Part 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure. If he deems it expedient to do so, the superintendent may accumulate the property of several patients and may sell the property in such lots as he may determine, provided that he makes a determination as to each patient’s share of the proceeds;

If any tangible personal property covered by this section is not salable at public auction or upon a sealed-bid basis, or if it has no intrinsic value, or if its value is not sufficient to justify its retention by the superintendent to be offered for sale at public auction or upon a sealed-bid basis at a later date, the superintendent may order it destroyed.

(Added by Stats. 1977, Ch. 1252.)