(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 859 and except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, any unclaimed article of jewelry or any accumulation of such articles or valuables in the custody of the administrative head of any state institution shall be retained by such administrative head for a period of three years, during which period he shall make every reasonable effort to return each such article to its owner. At the end of said period such administrative head may sell or otherwise dispose of such article with the approval of the governing board of such institution. Any revenue derived from the sale of any such articles shall be credited to the “institutional general welfare fund” of the institution in which they were found and, if from any institution not having such a fund, shall be paid to the State Treasurer and credited to the General Fund of the state.

(b) The Commissioner of Correction shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to set forth the manner in which the department shall sell or otherwise dispose of any unclaimed inmate property, clothing or jewelry after reasonable efforts have been made to return the same to the rightful owner. All proceeds from any such sale shall be deposited in the General Fund and credited to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund established by section 54-215.

(1949 Rev., S. 303, 304; P.A. 97-26.)

History: P.A. 97-26 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (b) re the disposition by the Department of Correction of unclaimed inmate property.