1.    Any person liable for the expenses of care and treatment at the state hospital may make application to the department to pay less than the expenses charged. The application must be accompanied by proof of the applicant’s inability to pay. Any person who seeks relief from the payment of expenses for services provided by the state hospital shall do so with the understanding that the department may verify any statement made in such application by a request for information from financial institutions, including commercial banks. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 57-38-57, this verification may include a review of the applicant’s state income tax return or any other document or report submitted to or held by any office or department of the state of North Dakota, or any of its political subdivisions.

2.    Upon receipt of an application made pursuant to subsection 1, the department shall direct the county social service board of the applicant’s county of residence to determine the applicant’s ability to pay all, a portion, or none of the expenses charged. The department shall approve, reject, or amend the determination made by the county social service board. The determination made by the department may be appealed to the district court of the applicant’s county of residence.