S. 112 · 118th Congress · Senate

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.

Enacted· Became Public Law No: 118-18.
Introduced
Jan 26, 23
Passed Senate
Jul 13, 23
Passed House
Sep 19, 23
Sent to President
Oct 4, 23
Signed into Law
Oct 6, 23

Executive Summary

This act addresses Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits and care for certain children with spina bifida or other birth defects. The act requires the VA to provide health care, job training, and monetary benefits for the duration of the child's life. The act 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 act 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.

Previous Versions

53Sep 19, 2023

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 bill 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.

55Jul 13, 2023

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 bill 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.

25Jun 14, 2023

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 bill 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.

00Jan 26, 2023

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.

Action Timeline

25
  1. OCT 06, 2023BecameLaw

    Signed by President.

  2. OCT 06, 2023President

    Signed by President.

  3. OCT 06, 2023BecameLaw

    Became Public Law No: 118-18.

    118Yea
    18Nay
    0NV
  4. OCT 06, 2023President

    Became Public Law No: 118-18.

    118Yea
    18Nay
    0NV
  5. OCT 04, 2023President

    Presented to President.

  6. OCT 04, 2023Floor

    Presented to President.

  7. SEP 19, 2023Floor

    Considered as unfinished business

    (consideration: CR H4404-4405)

    4404Yea
    4405Nay
    0NV
  8. SEP 19, 2023Floor

    Passed/agreed to in House

    Roll Call #399

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 422 - 0 (Roll no. 399). (text: 9/18/2023 CR H4361-4362)

    422Yea
    0Nay
    0NV
  9. SEP 19, 2023Floor

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays

    Roll Call #399

    (2/3 required): 422 - 0 (Roll no. 399). (text: 9/18/2023 CR H4361-4362)

    422Yea
    0Nay
    0NV
  10. SEP 19, 2023Floor

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  11. SEP 18, 2023Floor

    Mr

    Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  12. SEP 18, 2023Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules

    (consideration: CR H4361-4362)

    4361Yea
    4362Nay
    0NV
  13. SEP 18, 2023Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 112.

  14. SEP 18, 2023Floor

    At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Bost objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.

  15. JUL 18, 2023Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  16. JUL 18, 2023Floor

    Received in the House.

  17. JUL 18, 2023Floor

    Held at the desk.

  18. JUL 13, 2023Floor

    Passed/agreed to in Senate

    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S2963; text: CR S2963-2964)

    2963Yea
    2964Nay
    0NV
  19. JUL 13, 2023Floor

    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration

    CR S2963; text: CR S2963-2964)

    2963Yea
    2964Nay
    0NV
  20. JUN 14, 2023Committee

    Committee on Veterans' Affairs

    Reported by Senator Tester without amendment. Without written report.

  21. JUN 14, 2023Committee

    Committee on Veterans' Affairs

    Reported by Senator Tester without amendment. Without written report.

  22. JUN 14, 2023Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 101.

  23. FEB 16, 2023Committee

    Committee on Veterans' Affairs

    Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

  24. JAN 26, 2023IntroReferral

    Introduced in Senate

  25. JAN 26, 2023IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Committees

3

Veterans' Affairs Committee

ssva00

Referred: Jun 14, 2023

Active

Veterans' Affairs Committee

ssva00

Referred: Feb 16, 2023

Active

Veterans' Affairs Committee

ssva00

Referred: Jan 26, 2023

Active