Notice: The uscode.house.gov website is currently operating in a temporary format. While the United States Code remains available from its authoritative source, some website features and functionality are temporarily unavailable.
The United States Code Online is current through Public Law 119-121 (October 9, 2026).
Search & Browse Currency and Updating Classification Tables Popular Name Tool Positive Law Codification Editorial Reclassification Downloads
42 U.S.C. 1716: Presumption of death or detentionText contains those laws in effect through Public Law 119-121 (October 9, 2026).
From Title 42-THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARECHAPTER 12-COMPENSATION FOR INJURY, DEATH, OR DETENTION OF EMPLOYEES OF CONTRACTORS WITH UNITED STATES OUTSIDE UNITED STATES
Jump To: Source CreditEditorial NotesAmendmentsStatutory Notes and Related SubsidiariesEffective Date of Amendment

§1716. Presumption of death or detention

A determination that an individual is dead or a determination that he has been detained by a hostile force or person may be made on the basis of evidence that he has disappeared under circumstances such as to make such death or detention appear probable.

( Dec. 2, 1942, ch. 668 , title II, § 206, 56 Stat. 1034 ; Pub. L. 85-608, title I, § 104 , Aug. 8, 1958 , 72 Stat. 537 .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1958⁠—Pub. L. 85-608 substituted “a hostile force or person” for “the enemy”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1958 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 85-608 effective June 30, 1958, see section 402 of Pub. L. 85-608, set out as a note under section 1651 of this title.