[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 112 Reported in Senate (RS)]
<DOC>
Calendar No. 101
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 112
To amend title 38, United States Code, to strengthen benefits for
children of Vietnam veterans born with spina bifida, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 26, 2023
Mr. Braun (for himself, Ms. Hassan, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Booker, Mr. Warnock,
Mr. Scott of Florida, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Young, and Mr. Cornyn) introduced
the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee
on Veterans' Affairs
June 14, 2023
Reported by Mr. Tester, without amendment
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to strengthen benefits for
children of Vietnam veterans born with spina bifida, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN CHILDREN OF VIETNAM VETERANS AND
CERTAIN OTHER VETERANS.
(a) Definitions.--Section 1831 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs
(4) and (5), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new
paragraphs:
``(2) The term `covered child' means a child who is
eligible for health care and benefits under this chapter.
``(3) The term `covered veteran' means an individual whose
children are eligible for health care and benefits under this
chapter.''.
(b) In General.--Subchapter IV of chapter 18 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
sections:
``Sec. 1835. Advisory council
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish an advisory
council on health care and benefits for covered children.
``(b) Membership.--The advisory council established under
subsection (a) shall be composed of Federal employees.
``(c) Duties.--The advisory council established under subsection
(a) shall solicit feedback from covered children and covered veterans
on the health care and benefits provided under this chapter and
communicate such feedback to the Secretary.
``Sec. 1836. Care and coordination teams
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish care and
coordination teams for covered children.
``(b) Outreach.--A care and coordination team established under
subsection (a) shall attempt to contact each covered child--
``(1) not less frequently than once every 180 days, to
ensure the continued care of the child and assist with any
changes in care needed due to a changed situation of the child;
and
``(2) as soon as practicable after the identification of a
condition listed in the report required by subsection (c).
``(c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee
on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs of the House of Representatives a report setting forth a list
of conditions that will trigger outreach to covered children under
subsection (b)(2).
``Sec. 1837. Duration of health care and benefits provided
``The Secretary shall provide a covered child with health care and
benefits under this chapter--
``(1) for the duration of the life of the child; and
``(2) notwithstanding any death of a parent of the child
that precedes the death of the child.
``Sec. 1838. Biennial report
``Not less frequently than once every two years, the Secretary
shall submit to Congress a report setting forth the following:
``(1) The number of covered children receiving health care
or benefits under this chapter as of the date on which the
report is submitted.
``(2) The number of covered children for which the
Department is paying for or providing a social worker as of
such date.
``(3) Metrics on outreach conducted under section 1836(b)
of this title.''.
(c) Memorandum of Understanding.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary for Benefits of
the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Under Secretary for Health
of the Department shall enter into a memorandum of understanding--
(1) to better assist covered children (as defined in
section 1831 of title 38, United States Code, as amended by
subsection (a)); and
(2) to establish conditions to be included in the report
required by section 1836(c) of title 38, United States Code, as
added by subsection (b).
(d) Implementation.--
(1) Advisory council.--Not later than 270 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall establish the advisory council required under
section 1835 of title 38, United States Code, as added by
subsection (b).
(2) Care and coordination teams.--Not later than one year
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall establish the care and coordination
teams required under section 1836 of such title, as added by
subsection (b).
(e) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 18 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the
end the following new items:
``1835. Advisory council.
``1836. Care and coordination teams.
``1837. Duration of health care and benefits provided.
``1838. Biennial report.''.
Calendar No. 101
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 112
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to strengthen benefits for
children of Vietnam veterans born with spina bifida, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
June 14, 2023
Reported without amendment