[118th Congress Public Law 18]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[[Page 137 STAT. 103]]
Public Law 118-18
118th Congress
An Act
To amend title 38, United States Code, to strengthen benefits for
children of Vietnam veterans born with spina bifida, and for other
purposes. <<NOTE: Oct. 6, 2023 - [S. 112]>>
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. <<NOTE: 38 USC 1835.>> Advisory council
``(a) <<NOTE: Establishment.>> 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. <<NOTE: 38 USC 1836.>> Care and coordination teams
``(a) <<NOTE: Establishment.>> 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) <<NOTE: Time period.>> 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).
[[Page 137 STAT. 104]]
``(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. <<NOTE: 38 USC 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. <<NOTE: 38 USC 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) <<NOTE: 38 USC 1831 note.>> 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) <<NOTE: Deadline. 38 USC 1835 note.>> 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) <<NOTE: 38 USC 1836 note.>> 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).
[[Page 137 STAT. 105]]
(e) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 18 of title 38, United States Code, <<NOTE: 38 USC prec.
1801.>> 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.''.
Approved October 6, 2023.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 112:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 169 (2023):
July 13, considered and passed Senate.
Sept. 18, 19, considered and passed House.
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