9. The board of managers shall designate an officer or employee of the institution who shall be charged with the duty, upon the admission of a patient, of investigating the patient’s circumstances and his ability to pay. If upon such investigation it appears that the patient or legally responsible relatives are able to pay for his care and maintenance, an order shall be made by such officer or employee that payment shall be made to the custodian of funds, of a specified charge in proportion to the financial ability of the patient or such relative. Such designated officer or employee shall have the same power to collect the charge specified from the estate of the patient or his relatives as is possessed by an overseer of the poor or director of welfare in like circumstances, including, but not limited to the right to create a lien against the real estate of such patient or his relatives. If the investigation shall disclose that the patient or his relatives are unable to pay, the cost shall become a charge upon the county. Should there be a dispute as to ability to pay or doubt in the mind of such officer or employee, the Superior Court may hear the matter and make such order as is deemed to be proper.

L.1947,c.34,s.9; amended 1953,c.29,s.58; 1991,c.91,s.330.