36-508. Disposition of patient's personal property

A. When a patient is admitted on an inpatient basis to a mental health treatment agency pursuant to section 36-540, the articles of personal property which cannot be used by the patient at the institution shall be placed under the control and management of the patient's guardian or conservator and, if none, of the patient's spouse or next of kin.

B. In the event the patient is without a guardian, conservator, spouse or next of kin, or the spouse or next of kin refuses to take possession of the patient's personal property that cannot be used by the patient at the mental health treatment agency, the mental health treatment agency shall provide reasonable facilities for the storage of the patient's personal property.

C. Upon application by any interested person, the court shall enter an appropriate order for the protection of the proposed patient's property where no other alternatives exist to prevent the immediate loss or destruction of that property.