(a) In the case of a child who is:
- (1) adjudicated to be a delinquent child or child in need of services by a juvenile court; and
(2) placed by or with the consent of the department of child services in the home;
the department of child services shall reimburse the cost of services provided to the child, including related transportation costs, and any cost incurred by a county where the home is located to transport or detain the child before the child is adjudicated to be a delinquent child or child in need of services.
- (b) The department of child services shall reimburse and pay costs under this section.
- (c) The department of child services may require the parent or guardian of the child, other than a parent, guardian, or custodian associated with the home, to reimburse the department for an amount paid under this section.
- (d) A child who is admitted to the home does not become a resident of the county where the home is located.
- (e) When an unemancipated child is released from the home, the department of child services is responsible for transporting the child to the parent or guardian of the child. If a parent or guardian does not exist for an unemancipated child released from the home, the department of child services shall obtain custody of the child.
As added by P.L.55-1997, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.146-2008, SEC.443.