In any case where determination is made that a person, or the estate of such person, is able to pay all, or any portion of the charges for hospitalization, and/or charges for outpatient services, a notice and finding of responsibility shall be served on such person or the court-appointed personal representative of such person. The notice shall set forth the amount the department has determined that such person, or his or her estate, is able to pay not to exceed the costs of hospitalization, and/or costs of outpatient services, as fixed in accordance with the provisions of RCW
43.20B.325, or as otherwise limited by the provisions of RCW
43.20B.355 and
43.20B.325 through
43.20B.350. The responsibility for the payment to the department shall commence twenty-eight days after service of such notice and finding of responsibility which finding of responsibility shall cover the period from the date of admission of such mentally ill person to a state hospital, and for the costs of hospitalization, and/or the costs of outpatient services, accruing thereafter. The notice and finding of responsibility shall be served upon all persons found financially responsible in the manner prescribed for the service of summons in a civil action or may be served by certified mail, return receipt requested. The return receipt signed by addressee only is prima facie evidence of service. An application for an adjudicative proceeding may be filed with the secretary, or the secretary's designee within twenty-eight days from the date of service of such notice and finding of responsibility. The application must be written and served on the secretary by registered or certified mail, or by personal service. If no application is filed, the notice and finding of responsibility shall become final. If an application is filed, the execution of notice and finding of responsibility shall be stayed pending the final adjudicative order. The hearing shall be conducted in a local department office or other location in Washington convenient to the appellant. The proceeding is governed by the Administrative Procedure Act, chapter
34.05 RCW.