PAYMENT FOR TREATMENT; PROCEDURES.

(a) The district shall provide without charge to a patient residing in the district the care and treatment that the patient or a relative of the patient who is legally responsible for the patient's support cannot pay.

(b) When a patient who resides in the district is admitted to a district facility, the district administrator may have an inquiry made into the circumstances of:

(1) the patient; and

(2) the patient's relatives legally responsible for the patient's support.

(c) If the district administrator determines that the patient or relative can pay for all or part of the costs of the patient's care and treatment, the district administrator shall report that finding to the board and the board shall order the patient or relative to pay the district a specified amount each week for the patient's care and support. The amount ordered must be an amount the individual is able to pay.

(d) The district administrator may collect amounts under Subsection (c) from the patient's estate, or from a relative legally responsible for the patient's support, in the manner provided by law for the collection of expenses of the last illness of a deceased person.

(e) If there is a dispute as to the ability to pay, the board shall:

(1) call witnesses;

(2) hear and resolve the dispute; and

(3) issue a final order.

(f) The final order may be appealed to the district court in Comanche County. The substantial evidence rule applies to the appeal.