Whenever it appears that a veteran of any war, military occupation or expedition is eligible for treatment in a United States Veterans’ Administration Hospital and commitment to such hospital is necessary for the proper care and treatment of such veteran, the courts of Puerto Rico are hereby authorized to communicate with the official in charge of such hospital with reference to available facilities and eligibility, and upon receipt of a certificate from the official in charge of such hospital the court may then direct such veteran’s commitment to such United States Veterans’ Administration Hospital. Thereafter such veteran upon admission shall be subject to the rules and regulations of such hospital and the officials of such hospital shall be vested with the same powers now exercised by superintendents of state hospitals for mental diseases within Puerto Rico with reference to the retention of custody of the veteran so committed. Notice of such pending proceedings shall be furnished the person to be committed and his right to appear and defend shall not be denied.
History —Apr. 17, 1936, No. 26, p. 216, § 16.