WM. PRESTON LANE, JR., GOVERNOR. 1231

investigate the financial condition of such person and also the
financial condition of any relative or other person who may
be legally chargeable with his or her maintenance and sup-
port, in order to determine, in each case, the ability of any
such person, or of his or her relatives or other persons legally
chargeable with his or her maintenance and support, to
make payment, in whole or in part, for the maintenance and
support of such person while an inmate of such hospital and
infirmary. In making such investigation, the County Welfare
Board and the Department of Welfare of Baltimore City shall
require reports or statements to be made by such person,
relatives or other person upon such forms as may be prepared
by said County Welfare Board and Department of Welfare
of Baltimore City, as the case may be.

(b). If as a result of such investigation, the County Wel-
fare Board or the Department of Welfare of Baltimore
City shall determine that such person, his or her relatives
or other persons shall be required to pay for his or her
maintenance or support or a part thereof, it shall specify
the amount of such payments to be made, which shall not
exceed the average per diem cost of maintaining a patient
in such hospital, and the times when the same are to be
made. The County Welfare Board and the Department of
Welfare of Baltimore City shall have the power to require
the relatives of any such person or others legally chargeable
with his or her maintenance and support, to enter into ap-
propriate and binding agreements with respect to the mak-
ing of such payments, and may from time to time modify or
change the terms thereof, as the circumstances may justify.

(c). All payments required to be made under the provi-
sions of this section shall be made to and collected by the
County Treasurer or Treasurer of Baltimore City, as the
case may be, who shall account for same. Any amounts so
collected shall first be applied against the seventy-five cents
($. 75) per day which the County or Baltimore City are re-
quired to pay. Any amount collected over and above seventy-
five cents (f. 75) per day from or on account of any patient
shall be paid by the County or Baltimore City to the State
Treasurer.

(d). Upon the death of any person admitted to any
chronic hospital and infirmary, the County Commissioners or
the Department of Welfare of Baltimore City, as the case
may be, shall be entitled to make claim against the estate of
any such person for his or her maintenance and support while
in such institution, or for the balance due therefor if part
has been paid. Such claim shall be a preferred claim against
the estate of any such person, and all claims arising here-