When any patient in any state institution subject to the jurisdiction of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services dies or leaves such institution, all property, including money, belonging to said patient shall be immediately delivered to the patient, if leaving, or to his guardian or next of kin, if the patient has died; provided that if the patient has died and no person is available for such delivery, the institution shall notify the guardian or next of kin of such death and the description of the property on hand by certified mail at the last-known address of such guardian or next of kin, and that if said property is not claimed within one (1) year from the date of such notice, then such property shall become the property of the state, and all such monies shall be credited to the revolving fund of the institution.

Added by Laws 1961, p. 285, § 2, emerg. eff. July 14, 1961; Renumbered from § 175 by Laws 1986, c. 103, § 103, eff. November 1, 1986; Amended by Laws 1990, c. 51, § 105, emerg. eff. April 9, 1990.