§ 143‑295.1.  Settlement of small claims againstinstitutions of the Department of Health and Human Services.

When the property of a resident of a State institution under theDepartment of Health and Human Services is lost, destroyed, or otherwisedamaged through negligent handling by the institution, and the amount ofdamages is less than five hundred dollars ($500.00), the institution may makedirect payment or provide replacement of the item to the resident withoutrecourse to the procedures otherwise provided by this Article. (2003‑285, s. 1.)