Upon determining that a patient in a state mental health institute who has been involuntarily hospitalized under chapter 229 or admitted voluntarily at public expense was not a resident of this state at the time of the involuntary hospitalization or admission, the director or director’s designee may cause the patient to be conveyed to the patient’s place of residence. However, a transfer under this section may be made only if the patient’s condition permits and other reasons do not render the transfer inadvisable. If the patient was involuntarily hospitalized, prior approval of the transfer shall be obtained from the court which ordered the patient hospitalized.