1. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a person who has charge of a jail, prison, correctional facility, or other place of detention shall:

   1. (1) receive a prisoner arrested by a police employee of the department within the jurisdiction served by the jail; and

   2. (2) detain the prisoner in custody until otherwise ordered by a court or by the superintendent.

      A person who refuses to receive a prisoner or who releases a prisoner except as directed may be removed from office by the governor.

2. (b) A person who has charge of a jail, prison, correctional facility, or other place of detention may not receive or detain a prisoner in custody under subsection (a) until the arresting police employee has had the prisoner examined by a physician or competent medical personnel if the prisoner appears to be:

   1. (1) unconscious;
   2. (2) suffering from a serious illness;
   3. (3) suffering from a serious injury; or
   4. (4) seriously impaired by alcohol, a controlled substance (as defined in IC 35-48-1.1-7 ), a drug other than a controlled substance, or a combination of alcohol, a controlled substance, or drugs.
3. (c) Except as provided in subsection (d), the cost of the examination and resulting treatment under subsection (b) is the financial responsibility of the prisoner receiving the examination or treatment.

4. (d) If a prisoner is unable to bear the financial responsibility for the cost of the examination and treatment under subsection (b), the prisoner may apply for indigent medical assistance.

   [Pre-2003 Recodification Citation: 10-1-1-22.]

As added by P.L.2-2003, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.186-2025, SEC.88.