Money or property deposited with managing officers of institutions under the jurisdiction of the department of behavioral health by any patient under the department's control or by relatives, guardians, conservators, and others for the special benefit of such patient, as well as all other funds and all other income paid to the patient, the patient's estate, or on the patient's behalf, or paid to the managing officer or to the institution as representative payee or otherwise paid on the patient's behalf, shall remain in the hands of such officers in appropriate accounts for use accordingly. The managing officer shall keep itemized book accounts of the receipt and disposition of such money and property, which book shall be open at all times to the inspection of the department. The director of behavioral health shall adopt rules governing the deposit, transfer, withdrawal, or investment of the funds and the income thereof, as well as rules under which such funds and income shall be paid by managing officers for the support of the patients pursuant to Chapter 5121. of the Revised Code, or for their other needs. Whenever any patient confined in any state institution subject to the jurisdiction of the department dies, escapes, or is discharged from such institution, and any personal funds of such person remain in the hands of the managing officer thereof and no demand for such funds is made upon such managing officer by the owner of the funds or the owner's legally appointed representative, the managing officer shall hold the funds in the personal deposit fund for a period of at least one year during which time the managing officer shall make every effort possible to locate the owner or the owner's legally appointed representative. If at the end of this period no demand has been made for the funds, the managing officer shall dispose of the funds as follows:

1. (A) All money in a personal deposit fund in excess of ten dollars due for the support of a patient shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 5121. of the Revised Code.
2. (B) All money in a personal deposit fund in excess of ten dollars not due for the support of a patient shall be placed to the credit of the institution's local account designated as the "industrial and entertainment" fund.
3. (C) The first ten dollars to the credit of a patient shall be placed to the credit of the institution's local account designated as the "industrial and entertainment" fund. Whenever any patient in any state institution subject to the jurisdiction of the department dies, escapes, or is discharged from such institution, and any personal effects of such person remain in the hands of the managing officer thereof, and no demand is made upon such managing officer by the owner of the property or the owner's legally appointed representative, the managing officer shall hold and dispose of such property in the following manner. All the miscellaneous personal effects shall be held for a period of at least one year, during which time the managing officer shall make every effort possible to locate the owner or the owner's legal representative. If at the end of this period, no demand has been made by the owner of the property or the owner's legal representative, the managing officer shall file with the county recorder of the county of commitment of such owner, all deeds, wills, contract mortgages, or assignments. The balance of the personal effects shall be sold at public auction after being duly advertised, and the funds turned over to the treasurer of state for credit to the general revenue fund. If any of the property is not of a type to be filed with the county recorder and is not salable at public auction, then the managing officer of the institution shall destroy such property.

Last updated August 8, 2025 at 11:07 AM