S 112 United States Senate · 118th Congress

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.

This bill strengthens health care and benefits for children of Vietnam veterans born with spina bifida. It defines "covered children" as those eligible for these benefits and "covered veterans" as Vietnam veterans with such children. The bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish an advisory council to gather feedback from affected families and create care teams that must contact covered children at least once every 180 days. It also ensures health care benefits continue for the child's entire life, regardless of whether a parent dies before the child. Additionally, the Department must submit biennial reports to Congress on the number of children receiving benefits, social workers provided, and outreach efforts.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2023
Committee Review
Jun 2023
Senate Passage
Jul 2023
House Passage
Sep 2023
Signed into Law
Oct 2023
Introduced Jan 26, 2023 Signed Oct 6, 2023
Floor votes · House Sep 19, 2023

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
21
Key actions
6
Committee
3
Oct 6, 2023
Signed into law
Signed by President.
executive
Sep 19, 2023
Lower · Passed
Passed/agreed to in House: 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)
lower
Jul 13, 2023
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2963; text: CR S2963-2964)
upper
Jul 13, 2023
Upper · Passed
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S2963; text: CR S2963-2964)
upper
Jun 14, 2023
Upper · Passed
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Tester without amendment. Without written report.
upper
Feb 16, 2023
Upper · Passed
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
upper
Jan 26, 2023
Committee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
upper
Jan 26, 2023
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
1 primary · 8 co-sponsors

Sponsors