Section 44-7-30 - Defrauding hospitalsAny person who shall:
(1) At any hospital order and receive or cause to be furnished any food or accommodation based upon contract with intent to defraud the owner or proprietor of such hospital out of the value or price of such food or accommodation contract;(2) Obtain credit at any hospital by the use of any false pretense or device or by fraudulently depositing at such hospital any baggage or property of less value than the amount of such credit or of the bill by such person incurred, unless credit be given by express agreement; or(3) After obtaining creditor accommodation based upon contract at any hospital, surreptitiously remove his baggage or property therefrom; Shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Proof (a) that lodging, food or other accommodation based upon contract was obtained by false pretense or by false or fictitious show or pretense of baggage, (b) that a person absconded without paying or offering to pay for such food, lodging or other accommodation based upon contract or (c) that a person surreptitiously removed or attempted to remove his baggage shall be prima facie proof of the fraudulent intent mentioned in this section. Any person convicted of violating the provisions of this section shall pay a fine of not more than fifty dollars or be imprisoned for not more than thirty days, in the discretion of the magistrate.
The provisions of this section shall not include the fees of physicians and surgeons.
1940 (41) 1885; 1939 (41) 115; 1917 (30) 165; 1911 (27) 150; Cr. C. '12 Section 300; Cr. C. '22 Section 107; 1932 Code Section 1219; 1942 Code Section 1219; 1952 Code Section 32-752; 1962 Code Section 32-752.