950                                 Laws of Maryland                         Ch. 407

the patient's cost of care shall be the responsibility of the State.
The expense charged to each county under this subsection shall be
credited with payments received from each such patient, or others
on his behalf.

(b)   When funds are received from, or on behalf of, a patient,
they shall be credited first to that portion of the patient's cost of
care paid by his county of residence during the fiscal year in which
the payment is received. They shall next be credited to the general
funds of the State, until credit to the State equals that portion of
the patient's cost of care paid by the State. In like manner, pay-
ments received shall be credited first to the county, then to the State,
for the years preceding the current fiscal year, starting with the
year immediately preceding the current fiscal year.

(c)  The Department shall periodically furnish to the governing
body of each county, a statement listing the names of each patient
formerly residing in, and charged to that county, and the amount
for such patient being charged to the county. Payment of the ac-
counts rendered shall be due within thirty days after the account
is rendered.

(d)  Each county shall levy a tax sufficient to pay the charges
made under subsection (c) above; and shall thereafter pay such
charges. If any county fails to levy the tax, or pay the charges, the
Attorney General shall institute an action in the name of the State,
to enforce the levying of a tax sufficient to pay the charges afore-
said. Interest shall be charged on delinquent accounts of counties
at the rate of one per cent per month.

(e)  Any county objecting to a charge for a patient as being im-
properly charged to that county, may file such objection with the
Department. The Department shall thereupon investigate and may
require any county involved to present information as to the resi-
dence of the patient. A determination by the Department shall be
final.

(f)  Payment by the county or State of patient cost of care does
not relieve the patient, his responsible relatives or others responsible
for such payment, from their obligation to repay such cost of care.

46. Court Ordered Examinations.

When any person is examined pursuant to any order of court by
a representative of the Department, a reasonable fee shall be
charged for the examination. The fee shall be added to the costs
of the case, and shall be paid by the county. If, however, the
examination is requested by the person being examined, he shall be
responsible for payment of the appropriate fee, and the Depart-
ment may request, and the court may require, such person to post
a bond for payment of the examining fee.

47. Disposition of Patient's Property.

(a) Any assets of a patient except funds derived from benefits
payable under laws administered by the Veterans' Administration
remaining in the possession of a public facility for one year fol-
lowing the death or escape of a patient, shall become the property
of the State. Before delivery of such assets to the State, however,
the superintendent of the facility shall first investigate to determine