Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 79.djvu/805

 79 STAT. ]

PUBLIC LAW 89-183-SEPT, 14, 1965

provided by sections 21-902 and 21-903 f^fr the periods therein prescribed, unless the person is sooner discharged or returned to his home or to the State of his residence. §21-906. Examinations; adjudicationfs; laws applicable; expense of care and treatment (a) The Superintendent of Saint Elizabeths Hospital shall promptly examine a person committed as provided by sections 21-902 and 21-903, and, if not found to be mentally ill, shall forthwith discharge him, or, if found to be mentally ill, shall return him to the State of his residence or to his relatives, if practicable. (b) Proceedings for the adjudication of a person referred to by subsection (a) of this section, or of a person admitted to the hospital pursuant to section 21-904, as a mentally ill person, and for the appointment of a committee of his person or property, may be instituted in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare or by a party interested. The laws of the District of Columbia apply to the proceedings. This chapter does not impose upon the District of Columbia the expense of care and treatment of a person apprehended, detained, or committed under this chapter, unless the person is a resident of the District of Columbia as defined by subsection (b) of section 21-551. §21-907. Transfer of military personnel A person belonging to the armed forces arrested, apprehended, detained, or committed pursuant to this chapter shall, upon the request of the head of the department having jurisdiction over the service to which he belongs, be transferred forthwith to the custody of his service. §21-908. Care in a Veterans* Administration facility (a) If a person adjudicated to be a mentally ill person under this chapter is entitled to care and treatment in a Veterans' Administration facility, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia may commit him to the custody of the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs for placement in an available facility, or the Superintendent of Saint Elizaoeths Hospital may transfer him to such a facility. (b) This chapter does not limit, restrict, or deprive the courts of a State or the District of Columbia of jurisdiction to commit to the Veterans' Administration a mentally ill person entitled to care and treatment by the Veterans' Administration in accordance with the laws of the State or the District of Columbia. §21-909. Payment of expenses of transfers The Superintendent of Saint Elizabeths Hospital may arrange for and pay the expenses of the transfer of a person committed to his custody pursuant to this chapter or admitted to the hospital pursuant to section 21-904 to his relatives or to a hospital in the State of his residence, and, in connection with the transfer, may pay the transportation and expenses of attendants necessary to insure safe travel.

765

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