When a person is to be involuntarily committed to a facility, the department shall arrange, and is authorized to pay for, the person’s necessary transportation to the designated facility accompanied by appropriate persons and, if necessary, by a peace officer. The department shall pay return transportation of a person, the person’s escorts, and, if necessary, a peace officer, after a determination that the person is not committable, at the end of a commitment period, or at the end of a voluntary stay at a treatment facility following an evaluation conducted in accordance with Alaska Stat. § 47.30.715. When advisable, one or more relatives or friends shall be permitted to accompany the person. The department may pay necessary travel, housing, and meal expenses incurred by one relative or friend in accompanying the person if the department determines that the person’s best interests require that the person be accompanied by the relative or friend and the relative or friend is indigent.