27B-3-13. Disposition of funds of deceased patient--County claim--Escheat to recreation fund. If any patient of the South Dakota Developmental Center--Redfield dies leaving less than three hundred dollars in money on deposit with the administrator, such money shall be transferred by the administrator to the recreation fund of such institution. If the money on deposit is the sum of three hundred dollars or more, the administrator shall hold it for the benefit of the county legally obligated for the care of the patient for the purpose of satisfying any lien of the county against the estate of the patient.

The administrator shall give timely notice of such deposit to the county auditor and to the clerk of courts of the county and the amount of money held. If the county has waived or fails to commence proceedings on its lien, or if no proceedings for probate or administration of the estate have commenced within six months from the time of giving the notice to the clerk of courts, or if in the course of administration it is found that there are no heirs to the estate, then the amount of the deposit shall, notwithstanding § 29A-3-914, escheat to the recreation fund.

Any indebtedness, not in excess of one hundred dollars, incurred by the facility prior to the patient's death for the benefit of the patient may be paid by the facility from the deceased resident's funds on deposit with the administrator. This liability shall take precedence over the county lien.

Source: SDC 1939, § 30.0603 as added by SL 1959, ch 175, § 2; SDCL, § 27-13-12; SL 1973, ch 174, § 1; SL 1974, ch 188; SDCL Supp, § 27-14-4; SL 1975, ch 182, §§ 72, 74; SL 1981, ch 209; SL 1989, ch 238, § 14; SL 1996, ch 16, § 4.