Section 151:24 Patients' Trust Fund.
I. A facility shall not accept personal funds and possessions from or on behalf of a patient for safekeeping and management, except when the facility receives written authorization from the patient or a personal representative.
II. Upon acceptance of personal funds and possessions, a facility shall do one of the following:
(a) Establish an account separate from the facility's funds, to be used as a petty cash fund for the patient's personal needs and deposit in such account on a monthly basis from the net income of the patient the amount specified in RSA 167:27-a; or
(b) Give a bond with the surety approved by the commissioner. The bond shall be in an amount equal to a minimum of 1 1/4 times the average balance of patient funds held during the previous year. The commissioner may require an additional bond or permit the filing of a bond in a lower amount if the commissioner determines that a change in the average balance has occurred or may occur.
III. A written receipt shall be given to a patient or a personal representative when personal funds and possessions are received by a facility and the facility shall furnish the patient or a personal representative with a quarterly statement of the funds and possessions. The statement shall contain the items and amounts received, the sources, the disposition, and the date of each transaction. Upon the discharge of a patient, the facility shall furnish the patient or a personal representative with a final statement and return all personal funds and possessions not later than 10 days after discharge. Upon the death of a patient, the facility shall furnish the executor, administrator, or voluntary administrator, upon proof of appointment, all personal funds and possessions of the deceased patient.
Source. 1981, 453:1. 1983, 274:10. 1986, 183:2. 1995, 310:183. 1997, 331:9, 10, eff. Aug. 22, 1997.