(a) When a patient who resides in the district is admitted to a district facility, the district administrator shall have an inquiry made into the circumstances of:
(1) the patient; and
(2) the patient’s relatives legally liable for the patient’s support.
(b) If the district administrator determines that the patient or those relatives cannot pay for all or part of the patient’s care and treatment in the hospital, the amount that cannot be paid becomes a charge against the district.

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Terms Used In Texas Special District Local Laws Code 1103.110

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Justice: when applied to a magistrate, means justice of the peace. See Texas Government Code 312.011
  • Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  • Week: means seven consecutive days. See Texas Government Code 311.005

(c) If the district administrator determines that the patient or those relatives can pay for all or part of the patient’s care and treatment, the patient or those relatives shall be ordered to pay the district a specified amount each week for the patient’s support. The amount ordered must be proportionate to their financial ability and may not exceed the actual per capita cost of maintenance.
(d) The district administrator may collect the amount from the patient’s estate, or from those relatives legally liable for the patient’s support, in the manner provided by law for the collection of expenses of the last illness of a deceased person.
(e) If there is a dispute as to the ability to pay, or doubt in the mind of the district administrator, the board shall hold a hearing and, after calling witnesses, shall:
(1) resolve the dispute or doubt; and
(2) issue any appropriate order.
(f) A party to the dispute who is not satisfied with the order may appeal to the district court. The appeal shall be by trial de novo as that term is used in an appeal from a justice court to the county court.