§38-1-5. Civil actions against certain persons owning property and supported at public charge.

If any person who has received any relief, support or maintenance at public charge, under Chapter 8 of this title or as an inmate of any state, county or municipal institution, was at the time of receiving such relief, support or maintenance the owner of property, the authorities charged with the care of the poor of the municipality or the authorities in charge of the institution chargeable with such relief, support or maintenance may file a civil action for and collect the value of the same against such person and against his estate. In any such action or proceeding, the statutes of limitation shall not be placed in defense, but the court may, in its discretion, refuse to enter judgment or allow the claim in favor of the claimant in any case where a parent, wife or child is dependent on such property for support. The records kept by the state, county or municipality, for the purpose of showing names and the value of the relief, support or maintenance furnished, shall be prima facie evidence of such indebtedness.

(Acts 1927, No. 476, p. 521; Code 1940, T. 44, §9.)