Bill Sponsor
Senate Bill 112
118th Congress(2023-2024)
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.
Became Law
Became Law
Became Public Law 118-18 on Oct 6, 2023
Overview
Text
Sponsor
Introduced
Jan 26, 2023
Latest Action
Oct 6, 2023
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
112
Congress
118
Policy Area
Armed Forces and National Security
Armed Forces and National Security
Primary focus of measure is military operations and spending, facilities, procurement and weapons, personnel, intelligence; strategic materials; war and emergency powers; veterans’ issues. Measures concerning alliances and collective security, arms sales and military assistance, or arms control may fall under International Affairs policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Republican
Indiana
Republican
Florida
Republican
Indiana
Democrat
New Hampshire
Democrat
New Jersey
Senate Votes (1)
House Votes (1)
checkPassed on July 13, 2023
Status
Passed
Type
Unanimous Consent
Unanimous Consent
A senator may request unanimous consent on the floor to set aside a specified rule of procedure so as to expedite proceedings. If no Senator objects, the Senate permits the action, but if any one senator objects, the request is rejected. Unanimous consent requests with only immediate effects are routinely granted, but ones affecting the floor schedule, the conditions of considering a bill or other business, or the rights of other senators, are normally not offered, or a floor leader will object to it, until all senators concerned have had an opportunity to inform the leaders that they find it acceptable.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S2963; text: CR S2963-2964)
Summary

This bill addresses Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits and care for certain children with spina bifida or other birth defects. The bill requires the VA to provide health care, job training, and monetary benefits for the duration of the child's life. The bills covers a child, regardless of age or marital status, who: (1) has spina bifida and is the natural child of a Vietnam veteran or a veteran of specified service in Korea or Thailand who was conceived after the date on which the veteran entered service in Vietnam, Korea, or Thailand; or (2) has certain birth defects and is the natural child of a woman Vietnam veteran.

The bill requires the VA to establish an advisory council on health care and benefits for covered children. Additionally, the VA must establish care and coordination teams for covered children. At least every 180 days, the teams must conduct outreach to ensure the continued care of the children and assist with any necessary changes in care.

The VA must report to Congress a list of conditions that will trigger outreach to covered children, and must attempt to contact such children as soon as practicable after the identification of a condition.

The Veterans Benefits Administration and the Veterans Health Administration must enter into a memorandum of understanding to better assist covered children.

Text (4)
Public Record
Record Updated
Apr 17, 2024 11:51:51 PM