Property of patients or residents.

All money including wages and other property delivered to an officer or employee of any institution for the benefit of a patient or resident shall immediately be delivered to the steward, who shall enter the money upon the steward’s books to the credit of the patient or resident. The property shall be used only under the direction and with the approval of the superintendent and for the crime victim and witness assistance surcharge under s. 973.045 (4) , the delinquency victim and witness assistance surcharge under s. 938.34 (8d) (c) , the deoxyribonucleic acid analysis surcharge under s. 973.046 (1r) , the child pornography surcharge under s. 973.042 , the drug offender diversion surcharge under s. 973.043 , or the benefit of the patient or resident. If the money remains uncalled for for one year after the patient’s or resident’s death or departure from the institution, the superintendent shall deposit the money in the general fund. If any patient or resident leaves property, other than money, uncalled for at an institution for one year, the superintendent shall sell the property, and the proceeds shall be deposited in the general fund. If any person satisfies the department, within 5 years after the deposit, of his or her right to the deposit, the department shall direct the department of administration to draw its warrant in favor of the claimant and it shall charge the same to the appropriation made by s. 20.913 (3) (c) .

History: 1979 c. 221 s. 2202 (20) ; 1983 a. 27 ; 1989 a. 31 , 107 ; 1993 a. 16 ; 1997 a. 27 ; 2005 a. 25 , 254 , 433 ; 2013 a. 20 .