Title 38, Veterans' BenefitsRelease 119-102
§5501 Commitment Actions
Title 38 › PART IV — GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › CHAPTER 55 — MINORS, INCOMPETENTS, AND OTHER WARDS › § 5501
Summary
The Secretary can pay needed court costs and other expenses for legal steps to place veterans who are mentally incompetent into a Department-run hospital or residential care. This is allowed when the placement is needed for their treatment or for housing.
Full Legal Text
Title 38, §5501
Veterans' Benefits, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The Secretary may incur necessary court costs and other expenses incident to proceedings for the commitment of mentally incompetent veterans to a Department hospital or domiciliary when necessary for treatment or domiciliary purposes.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1991—Pub. L. 102–40 renumbered section 3201 of this title as this section. Pub. L. 102–83, § 4(b)(1), (2)(E), substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator”. Pub. L. 102–83, § 4(a)(3), (4), substituted “Department” for “Veterans’ Administration”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
38 U.S.C. § 5501
Title 38, Veterans' Benefits
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102