Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 79.djvu/803

 79 STAT. ]

PUBLIC LAW 89-183-SEPT. 14, 1965

(b) The guardian shall give security for the costs which may accrue in an action brought by him, in the same manner as other nonresidents bringing suit in the courts of the Distridt. CHAPTER 9—MENTALLY ILL PERSONS FOUND IN CERTAIN FEDERAL RESERVATIONS Sec. 21-901. Definition. 21-902. Commitments by special commissioners of certain district courts. 21-903. Apprehension by certain officials of persons believed to be mentally ill; proceedings. 21-904. Admission upon written application; right of release. 21-905. Superintendent to receive persons committed or apprehended under sections 21-902 and 21-903. 21-906. Examinations; adjudications; laws applicable; expense of care and treatment. 21-907. Transfer of military personnel. 21-908. Care in a Veterans' Administration facility. 21-909. Payment of expenses of transfers.

§ 21-90L Definition As used in this chapter, "mentally ill person" has the same meaning as that given to the term by section 21-501. §21-902. Commitments by special commissioners of certain district courts (a) A United States commissioner specially designated by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or by the United States District Court for the District of Maryland may commit to Saint Elizabeths Hospital, for observation and diagnosis, a person found in a place over which the United States has exclusive or concurrent jurisdiction in Arlington County, Fairfax County, Loudoun County or the city of Alexandria, in the State of Virginia, or in Montgomery County or Prince Georges County in the State of Maryland, who is alleged, and is believed by the commissioner, to be a mentally ill person. A United States commissioner specially designated by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia has like jurisdiction and authority in the case of any person temporarily detained in Saint Elizabeths Hospital, pursuant to section 21-903. (b) A commitment provided for by subsection (a) of this section shall be for not more than 30 days and may be made only after a hearing before the commissioner upon: (1) the testimony under oath of at least two witnesses as to their belief that the person is a mentally ill person; and (2) the testimony under oath or affidavit of two physicians, at least one of whom is skilled in the treatment and diagnosis of nervous and mental disorders, that they have examined the alleged mentally ill person and believe him to be a mentally ill person and not fit to remain at liberty and go unrestrained, and that he should be in custody in a hospital for the treatment of mental or nervous disorders for his own safety and welfare and for the preservation of the peace and good order. (c) The head of the agency of the United States in control of the place where a person is apprehended for a hearing pursuant to this section shall forthwith notify the spouse or a near relative or friend of the person so apprehended whose address is known to him or can by

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