2023 Indiana Code › Title 36. Local Government › Article 2. Government of Counties Generally › Chapter 13. County Sheriff › 36-2-13-18. Health Care Services Provided to Person Subject to Lawful Detention

Sec. 18. (a) As used in this section, "health care services" includes health care items and procedures.
(b) As used in this section, "lawful detention" means the following:
(1) Arrest.
(2) Custody following surrender in lieu of arrest.
(3) Detention in a penal facility.
(4) Detention for extradition or deportation.
(5) Custody for purposes incident to any of the above, including transportation, medical diagnosis or treatment, court appearances, work, or recreation.
The term does not include supervision of a person on probation or parole or constraint incidental to release with or without bail.
(c) This section does not apply to a person who is subject to lawful detention and is:
(1) covered under private health coverage for health care services; or
(2) willing to pay for the person's own health care services.
(d) A sheriff of a county may not release a person subject to lawful detention solely for the purpose of preventing the county from being financially responsible under IC 11-12-5 for health care services provided to the person.
(e) If a county violates subsection (d), the county remains financially responsible under IC 11-12-5 for health care services provided to the person released from lawful detention.
(f) A county is financially responsible under IC 11-12-5 for health care services provided to a person at a hospital if the person was subject to lawful detention by the sheriff at the time the person entered onto the hospital's premises.
(g) If a person is subjected to lawful detention after entering onto the premises of a hospital, the county in which the hospital is located is financially responsible under IC 11-12-5 for the health care services provided to the person while the person is subject to lawful detention.
(h) For purposes of this section, if a sheriff brings a person subject to lawful detention onto the premises of a hospital or subjects a person to lawful detention after the person enters onto the premises of a hospital, the sheriff shall remain on the premises of the hospital and within reasonable proximity to the person while the person receives health care services at the hospital unless:
(1) the person's medical condition renders the person incapable of leaving the hospital; and
(2) the person does not pose a threat to hospital personnel or property or to others at the hospital.
(i) This section does not prevent or limit the application of IC 11-12-5-5 concerning the making of copayments by a person confined to a county jail.
(j) A county that is responsible for paying the medical care expenses of a county jail inmate under IC 11-12-5-6 is responsible for paying the medical care expenses of the inmate under this section.
(k) This section does not supersede a written agreement:
(1) between:
(A) a physician, a hospital, or another health care provider; and
(B) a sheriff;
concerning reimbursement for health care services provided to a person subject to lawful detention; and
(2) entered into or renewed before July 1, 2009.
As added by P.L.80-2009, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.205-2011, SEC.2.