CHAPTER 385

An Act to amend and reenact § 87-128, as amended, of the Code of Virginia,
relating to board of certain State hospital and colony patients in pri-
vate homes.

[S 113]

Approved March 30, 1960

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 37-128, as amended, of the Code of Virginia, be amended and
reenacted as follows:

§ 37-128. The superintendent of each State hospital and colony may
place at board * in a suitable family in this State approved by the State
Hospital Board and under such rules and regulations as to it appear proper,
any patient in the hospital or colony who is quiet and not dangerous, nor
committed as an inebriate, nor addicted to the intemperate use of narcotics
or stimulants. The cost * of the board and lodging of such patients * shall
not exceed twenty dollars a week for each patient. Any patient so placed
at board or the estate of any such patient or the person legally liable for
the support of any such patient shall be liable for the cost of the board and
lodging of such patient; provided, however, that the State Hospital Board
shall ascertain the financial condition and estate of such patient, his present
and future needs and the present and future needs of his lawful dependents
and, whenever deemed necessary to protect him or his dependents, may
agree to accept a sum for his board and lodging less than the sum of
twenty dollars a week or the cost of his board and lodging. In any case
where the State Hospital Board determines to accept a sum less than
twenty dollars a week or the cost of the board and lodging of any such
patient, the remainder of the cost of such board and lodging shall be at the
expense of the Commonwealth. Bills for board and lodging of any such
patient shall be payable monthly by such patient or the person legally
liable for his support. Payment thereof shall be made to the superintendent
of the hospital or colony having custody or control of such patient who
shall forthwith pay all funds so collected into the general fund of the State
treasury; provided, however, that the estate of such patient shall not be
depleted below the sum of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00).