The Department of Health and Human Services may license any suitable person to establish and keep a private hospital or private house for the reception and treatment of patients who are mentally deranged. The hospital or private house shall be subject to visitation by the department or any member thereof. [PL 1983, c. 459, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 689, Pt. B, §6 (REV).]

Whoever establishes or keeps the private hospital or private house without a license, or after revocation or during suspension of the license, shall be fined not more than $500. [PL 1983, c. 459, §2 (NEW).]