If any person committed to a state mental hospital has sufficient estate for the purpose, the guardian or conservator of the person’s estate shall pay for the person’s care, support, maintenance, and necessary expenses at the state hospital to the extent the estate is available after taking into account essential living expenses and other financial liabilities. The payment may be enforced by the order of the judge of the superior court where the guardianship or conservatorship proceedings are pending. On the filing of a petition therein by the department showing that the guardian or conservator has failed, refused, or neglected to pay for that care, support, maintenance, and expenses, the court, by order, shall direct the payment by the guardian or conservator. The order may be enforced in the same manner as are other orders of the court.

(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 47, Sec. 63. (SB 184) Effective June 30, 2022.)