72.23.240 - Patient's property -- Delivery to superintendent as acquittance -- Defense, indemnity.

Patient's property — Delivery to superintendent as acquittance — Defense, indemnity.

Upon receipt of a written request signed by the superintendent stating that a designated patient of such hospital is involuntarily hospitalized therein, and that no guardian of his estate has been appointed, any person, bank, firm or corporation having possession of any money, bank accounts, or choses in action owned by such patient, may, if the balance due does not exceed one thousand dollars, deliver the same to the superintendent and mail written notice thereof to such patient at such hospital. The receipt of the superintendent shall be full and complete acquittance for such payment and the person, bank, firm or corporation making such payment shall not be liable to the patient or his legal representatives. All funds so received by the superintendent shall be deposited in such patient's personal account at such hospital and be administered in accordance with this chapter.

     If any proceeding is brought in any court to recover property so delivered, the attorney general shall defend the same without cost to the person, bank, firm or corporation effecting such delivery, and the state shall indemnify such person, bank, firm or corporation against any judgment rendered as a result of such proceeding.

[1959 c 28 § 72.23.240. Prior: 1953 c 217 § 1. Formerly RCW 71.02.575.]