Communicable diseases; epidemic among Indians; state charges

§ 2108. Communicable diseases; epidemic among Indians; state charges. 1. Whenever an epidemic of a communicable disease shall prevail among the Indians of any nation, tribe or band in this state, the public welfare official of the welfare district in which the reservation of such nation, tribe or band, is wholly or partly situated, may in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the commissioner, cause needed medical attendance, provisions and maintenance to be furnished to any indigent Indian residing in the town, who, or a member of whose family, is afflicted with such disease, while such disease shall continue. The cost thereof after being audited as herein provided shall be a state charge.

2. A verified statement of any expenses incurred under this section shall be transmitted by the public welfare official to the commissioner. The commissioner shall examine into the matter, and if satisfied that such expenses were properly and necessarily incurred in accordance with his rules and regulations, he shall approve the same; and the amount thereof, after audit by the comptroller, shall be paid from the state treasury on the warrant of the comptroller to such public welfare official.