ID H0487

Amends Section 66-327, Idaho Code, to revise cost responsibility for mental health commitment proceedings, including examiner fees, transportation, and medical costs.

Establishes that costs are the responsibility of the committed person, their spouse, adult children, or their county of residence if indigent, after all personal, family, and third-party resources including Medicaid are exhausted.

Courts must determine indigency and order payment from the committed person if able to pay; counties are responsible for remaining costs at the Medicaid rate or contracted rates.

The Department of Health and Welfare assumes responsibility for usual and customary treatment costs once a patient is committed to state custody, beginning the day after the director receives notice of commitment.

Counties remain financially responsible for mental health costs if the individual is not transported to a state facility within 24 hours of receiving written notice of admission availability.