### Question
How is the "State" defined?


### Answer
The term **State** is defined in *42 U.S.C. § 1997* as follows -

> any of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any of the territories and possessions of the United States

#### Citation:
  - *42 U.S.C. § 1997*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 21-CIVIL RIGHTS > SUBCHAPTER I&ndash;A-INSTITUTIONALIZED PERSONS**

