Section 4136.

(a) Each patient in a state hospital for the mentally disordered who has resided in the state hospital for a period of at least 30 days shall be paid an amount of aid for his or her personal and incidental needs that, when added to his or her income, equals twelve dollars and fifty cents ($12.50) per month. If a patient elects to do so, a patient may save all or any portion of his or her monthly amount of aid provided for personal and incidental needs for expenditure in subsequent months.

(b) Each indigent patient in a state hospital for the mentally disordered shall be allotted sufficient materials for one letter each week, including postage in an amount not to exceed the cost of one stamp for first-class mail for a one-ounce letter, at no cost to the patient.

(c) Each newly admitted patient, for the first 30 days after his or her initial admission, shall be allotted sufficient materials for two letters each week, including postage for first-class mail for up to two one-ounce letters per week. The hospital administrator shall ensure that additional writing materials and postage are available for purchase by patients at the store or canteen on hospital grounds.

(d) For purposes of this section, "indigent patient" means any patient whose income is no more than twelve dollars and fifty cents ($12.50) per month.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 352, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2003.)