---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 5313B"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "5313B"
heading: "Prohibition on providing certain benefits with respect to persons who are fugitive felons"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/5313B"
units:
  - "Part IV — General Administrative Provisions"
  - "Chapter 53 — Special Provisions Relating to Benefits"
---

# §5313B. Prohibition on providing certain benefits with respect to persons who are fugitive felons

- (a) A [veteran](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) who is otherwise eligible for a benefit specified in [subsection (c)](#c) may not be paid or otherwise provided such benefit for any period during which such [veteran](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) is a fugitive felon. A [dependent](/usc/38/3452.md?p=d) of a [veteran](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) who is otherwise eligible for a benefit specified in [subsection (c)](#c) may not be paid or otherwise provided such benefit for any period during which such [veteran](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) or such [dependent](/usc/38/3452.md?p=d) is a fugitive felon.
- (b) For purposes of this section:
  - (1) The term “fugitive felon” means a person who is a fugitive by reason of—
    - (A) fleeing to avoid prosecution, or custody or confinement after conviction, for an offense, or an attempt to commit an offense, which is a felony under the laws of the place from which the person flees; or
    - (B) violating a condition of probation or parole imposed for commission of a felony under Federal or [State](/usc/38/101.md?p=20) law.
  - (2) The term “felony” includes a high misdemeanor under the laws of a [State](/usc/38/101.md?p=20) which characterizes as high misdemeanors offenses that would be felony offenses under Federal law.
  - (3) The term “[dependent](/usc/38/3452.md?p=d)” means a [spouse](/usc/38/101.md?p=31), [surviving spouse](/usc/38/101.md?p=3), [child](/usc/38/101.md?p=4-A), or [dependent](/usc/38/3452.md?p=d) [parent](/usc/38/101.md?p=5) of a [veteran](/usc/38/101.md?p=2).
- (c) A benefit specified in this subsection is a benefit under any of the following:
  - (1) [Chapter 11](/usc/38/chptII/ch11.md) of this title.
  - (2) [Chapter 13](/usc/38/chptII/ch13.md) of this title.
  - (3) [Chapter 15](/usc/38/chptII/ch15.md) of this title.
  - (4) [Chapter 17](/usc/38/chptII/ch17.md) of this title.
  - (5) [Chapter 19](/usc/38/chptII/ch19.md) of this title.
  - (6) Chapter [30](/usc/38/chptIII/ch30.md), [31](/usc/38/chptIII/ch31.md), [32](/usc/38/chptIII/ch32.md), [34](/usc/38/chptIII/ch34.md), or [35](/usc/38/chptIII/ch35.md) of this title.
  - (7) [Chapter 37](/usc/38/chptIII/ch37.md) of this title.
- (d)
  - (1) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall furnish to any Federal, [State](/usc/38/101.md?p=20), or local law enforcement official, upon the written request of such official, the most current address maintained by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) of a person who is eligible for a benefit specified in [subsection (c)](#c) if such official—
    - (A) provides to the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) such information as the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may require to fully identify the person;
    - (B) identifies the person as being a fugitive felon; and
    - (C) certifies to the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) that apprehending such person is within the official duties of such official.
  - (2) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall enter into memoranda of understanding with Federal law enforcement agencies, and may enter into agreements with [State](/usc/38/101.md?p=20) and local law enforcement agencies, for purposes of furnishing information to such agencies under [paragraph (1)](#d-1).

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 107–103, title V, § 505(a)(1), Dec. 27, 2001, 115 Stat. 995.)