When a defendant is in the custody of a county jail, the custodial county shall only be liable for the cost of medical care for conditions that are not preexisting prior to arrest and that arise due to acts or omissions of the county. Preexisting conditions are defined as those illnesses beginning or injuries sustained before a person is in the peaceable custody of the county's officers.

An inmate receiving medical care for a preexisting condition or a condition not caused by the acts or omissions of the county shall be liable for payment of the cost of care, including but not limited to, medication, medical treatment, and transportation costs, for or relating to the condition requiring treatment. The court shall order the offender to reimburse the sheriff for medical care and treatment for preexisting conditions and injuries except for amounts collected pursuant to Section 531 of this title.

Added by Laws 1991, HB 1041, c. 166, § 3, emerg. eff. July 1, 1991; Amended by Laws 1998, SB 1304, c. 290, § 2, emerg. eff. July 1, 1998 (superseded document available).