Expense of care and custody of child

(a) How paid. (1) If a child alleged or adjudged to be a child in need of care is not eligible for assistance under K.S.A. 39-709, and amendments thereto, expenses for the care and custody of the child shall be paid out of the general fund of the county in which the proceedings are brought. For the purpose of this section, a child who is a nonresident of the state of Kansas or whose residence is unknown shall have residence in the county where the proceedings are instituted. (2) When a law enforcement officer has taken a child into custody as authorized by subsection (b) of K.S.A. 38-2231, and amendments thereto, and delivered the child to a person or facility designated by the secretary or when custody of a child is awarded to the secretary, the expenses of the care and custody of the child may be paid by the secretary, even though the child does not meet the eligibility standards of K.S.A. 39-709, and amendments thereto. (3) When the custody of a child is awarded to the secretary, the expenses of the care and custody of the child shall not be paid out of the county general fund. (4) Nothing in this section shall be construed to mean that any person shall be relieved of legal responsibility to support a child. (b) Reimbursement to county general fund. (1) When expenses for the care and custody of a child alleged or adjudged to be a child in need of care have been paid out of the county general fund, the court may fix a time and place for hearing on the question of requiring payment or reimbursement of all or part of the expenses by a person who by law is liable to maintain, care for or support the child. (2) The court, after notice to the person who by law is liable to maintain, care for or support the child, may hear and dispose of the matter and may enter an order relating to payment of expenses for care and custody of the child. If the person willfully fails or refuses to pay the sum, the person may be adjudged in contempt of court and punished accordingly. (3) The county may bring a separate action against a person who by law is liable to maintain, care for or support a child alleged or adjudged to be a child in need of care for the reimbursement of expenses paid out of the county general fund for the care and custody of the child. (c) Reimbursement to secretary. (1) When expenses for the care and custody of a child alleged or adjudged to be a child in need of care have been paid by the secretary, the secretary may recover the expenses pursuant to K.S.A. 39-709, 39-718b or 39-755, and amendments thereto, or as otherwise provided by law, from any person who by law is liable to maintain, care for or support the child. (2) The secretary shall have the power to compromise and settle any claim due or any amount claimed to be due to the secretary from any person who by law is liable to maintain, care for or support the child.