Veterans Health Programs Extension Act of 1994
PL 103-452 (H.R.3313), enacted 11/02/1994

PUBLIC LAW 103-452—NOV. 2,1994 
108 STAT. 4783 
Public Law 103-452 
103d Congress 
An Act 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend certain expiring veterans' health 
care programs, 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. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the "Veterans 
Health Programs Extension Act of 1994". 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents of this Act 
is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code. 
TITLE I—GENERAL MEDICAL AUTHORITIES 
Sec. 101. Sexual trauma counseling and services. 
Sec. 102. Research relating to women veterans. 
Sec. 103. Extension of expiring authorities. 
Sec. 104. Facilities in Republic of the Philippines. 
Sec. 105. Savings provision. 
TITLE II—CONSTRUCTION AUTHORIZATION 
Sec. 201. Authorization of major medical facility projects and major medical facility 
leases. 
Sec. 202. Authorization of appi-opriations. 
SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE. 
Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act 
an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment 
to, or repeal of, a section or otlier provision, the reference shall 
be considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 
38, United States Code. 
TITLE I—GENERAL MEDICAL 
AUTHORITIES 
Nov. 2,1994 
[H.R. 3313] 
Veterans Health 
Programs 
Extension Act of 
1994. 
38 u s e 101 note. 
SEC. 101. SEXUAL TRAUMA COUNSELING AND SERVICES. 
(a) AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE TREATMENT SERVICES FOR SEXUAL 
TRAUMA; REPEAL OF LIMITATION ON TIME TO SEEK SERVICES.— 
Subsection (a) of section 1720D is amended— 
(1) by striking out paragraph (2); and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new para-
graph (2): 
"(2) During the period referred to in paragraph (1), the Sec-
retary may provide appropriate care and services to a veteran 
38 u s e 1720D. 
108 STAT. 4784 
PUBLIC LAW 103-452—NOV. 2, 1994 
for an injury, illness, or other psychological condition that the 
Secretary determines to be the result of a physical assault, battery, 
or harassment referred to in that paragraph.". 
(b) EXTENSION OF PERIOD OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE SEXUAL 
TRAUMA SERVICES.—Such subsection is further amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking out "December 31, 1995," 
and inserting in lieu thereof "December 31, 1998,"; and 
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking out "December 31, 1994," 
and inserting in lieu thereof "December 31, 1998,". 
(c) REPEAL OF LIMITATION ON PERIOD OF RECEIPT OF SERV-
ICES.—Such section is further amended— 
(1) by striking out subsection (b); and 
(2) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), and (e) as sub-
sections (b), (c), and (d), respectively. 
(d) COORDINATION OF CARE.—Paragraph (1) of subsection (b) 
of such section, as redesignated by subsection (c)(2), is amended 
to read as follows: 
"(1) The Secretary shall give priority to the establishment and 
operation of the program to provide counseling and care and services 
under subsection (a). In the case of a veteran eligible for counseling 
and care and services under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
ensure that the veteran is furnished counseling and care and serv-
ices under this section in a way that is coordinated with the furnish-
ing of such care and services under this chapter.". 
38 use 1712. 
(e) 
INCREASED 
PRIORITY 
OF 
CARE.—Section 
1712(i) 
is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by inserting "(A)" after "To a veteran"; and 
(B) by inserting ", or (B) who is eligible for counseling 
and care and services under section 1720D of this title, 
for the purposes of such counseling and care and services" 
before the period at the end; and 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by striking out ", (B)" and inserting in lieu thereof 
"or (B)"; and 
(B) by striking out ", or (C)" and all that follows 
through "such counseling". 
(f) 
PROGRAM 
REVISION.—(1) 
Section 
1720D 
is 
further 
amended— 
(A) by striking out "woman" in subsection (a)(1); 
(B) by striking out "women" in subsection (b)(2)(C) and 
in the first sentence of subsection (c), as redesignated by sub-
section (c); and 
(C) by striking out "women" in subsection (c)(2), as so 
redesignated, and inserting in lieu thereof "individuals". 
(2)(A) The heading of such section is amended to read as 
follows: 
*'§ 1720D. Counseling and treatment for sexual trauma". 
(B) The item relating to such section in the table of sections 
at the beginning of chapter 17 is amended to read as follows: 
"1720D. Counseling and treatment for sexual trauma.". 
(g) INFORMATION BY TELEPHONE.—(1) Paragraph (1) of section 
1720D(c), as redesignated by subsection (c) of this section, is 
amended to read as follows: 
"(1) shall include availability of a toll-free telephone num-
ber (commonly referred to as an 800 number); and". 
PUBLIC LAW 103-452—NOV. 2, 1994 
108 STAT. 4785 
(2) In providing information on counseling avEiilable to veterans 
as required under section 1720D(c)(l) of title 38, United States 
Code (as amended by paragraph (1)), the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall ens.ure that the Department of Veterans Affairs person-
nel who provide assistance under such section are trained in the 
provision to persons who have experienced sexual trauma of 
information about the care and services relating to sexual trauma 
that are available to veterans in the conmumities in which such 
veterans reside, including care smd services available under pro-
grams of the Department (including the care and services available 
under section 1720D of such title) and from non-Department agen-
cies or organizations. 
(3) The telephone assistance service shall be operated in a 
manner that protects the confidentiality of persons who place calls 
to the system. 
(4) The Secretary shall ensure that information about the avail-
abihty of the telephone assistance service is visibly posted in 
Department medical facUities and is advertised through pubUc serv-
ice announcements, pamphlets, and other means. 
(5) Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on 
the operation of the ttjlephone assistance service required under 
section 1720D(c)(l) of title 38, United States Code (as amended 
by paragraph (1)). The report shall set forth the following: 
(A) The number of persons who sought information during 
the period covered by the report through a toll-free telephone 
number regarding services available to veterans relating to 
sexual trauma, with a separate display of the nimiber of such 
persons arrayed by State (as such term is defined in section 
101(20) of title 38, United States Code). 
(B) A description of the training provided to the personnel 
who provide such assistance. 
(C) The recommendations and plans of the Secretary for 
the improvement of the service. 
(h) CONFORMING REPEAL.—Section 102(b) of the Veterans 
Health Care Act of 1992 (PubUc Law 102-585; 106 Stat. 4946; 
38 U.S.C. 1720D note) is repealed. 
SEC. 102. RESEARCH RELATING TO WOMEN VETERANS. 
(a) 
INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN CUNICAL 
RESEARCH PROJECTS.—Section 7303 is amended— 
(1) by transferring the text of subsection (c) to the end 
of subsection (a)(1); ana 
(2) by striking out "(c)" and inserting in Ueu thereof the 
following: 
"(c)(1) In conducting or supporting cUnical research, the Sec-
retary shall ensure that, whenever possible and appropriate— 
"(A) women who are veterans are included as subjects 
in each project of such research; and 
. ». 
"(B) members of minority groups who are veterans are 
included as subjects of such research. 
"(2) In the case of a project of clinical research in which women 
or members of minority groups wiU under paragraph (1) be included 
as subjects of the research, the Secretary shall ensure that the 
project is designed and carried out so as to provide for a valid 
analysis of whether the variables being tested in the research 
38 use 1720D 
note. 
Privacy. 
38 use 1720D 
note. 
38 use 1720D 
note. 
Reports. 
38 use 1720D 
note. 
38 u s e 7303. 
108 STAT. 4786 
PUBLIC LAW 103-452—NOV. 2, 1994 
38 u s e 1710 
note. 
38 u s e 1710. 
38 u s e 1712. 
38 u s e 1720A. 
Effective date. 
38 u s e 1720C. 
38 u s e 8169. 
affect women or members of minority groups, as the case may 
be, differently than other persons who are subjects of the research.". 
(b) HEALTH RESEARCH.—(1) Such section is further amended 
by adding after subsection (c), as added by subsection (a), the 
following new subsection: 
"(d)(1) The Secretary, in carrying out the Secretary's respon-
sibilities under this section, shall foster and encourage the initiation 
and expansion of research relating to the health of veterans who 
are women. 
"(2) In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall consult 
with the following to assist the Secretary in setting research 
priorities: 
"(A) Officials of the Department assigned responsibility 
for women's health programs and sexual trauma services. 
"(B) The members of the Advisory Committee on Women 
Veterans. 
"(C) Members of appropriate task forces and working 
groups within the Department (including the Women Veterans 
Working Group and the Task Force on Treatment of Women 
Who Suffer Sexual Abuse).". 
(2) Section 109 of the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992 (Public 
Law 102-585; 38 U.S.C. 7303 note) is repealed. 
(c) POPULATION STUDY.—Section 110(a) of the Veterans Health 
Care Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-585; 106 Stat. 4948) is amended 
by adding at the end of paragraph (3) the following: "If it is 
feasible to do so within the amounts available for the conduct 
of the study, the Secretary shall ensure that the sample referred 
to in paragraph (1) constitutes a representative sampling (as deter-
mined by the Secretary) of the ages, the ethnic, social and economic 
backgrounds, the enlisted and officer grades, and the branches 
of service of all veterans who are women.". 
SEC. 103. EXTENSION OF EXPIRING AUTHORITIES. 
(a) AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE PRIORITY HEALTH CARE FOR VETER-
ANS EXPOSED TO TOXIC SUBSTANCES.—Chapter 17 is amended— 
(1) in section 1710(e)(3)— 
(A) by striking out "June 30, 1994" and inserting in 
lieu thereof "June 30, 1995"; and 
(B) by striking out "December 31, 1994" and inserting 
in lieu thereof "December 31, 1995"; and 
(2) in section 1712(a)(1)(D), by striking out "December 31, 
1994" and inserting in lieu thereof "December 31, 1995". 
(b) DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE.—Section 
1720A(e) is amended by striking out "December 31, 1994" and 
inserting in lieu thereof "December 31, 1995". 
(c) PILOT PROGRAM FOR NONINSTITUTIONAL ALTERNATIVES TO 
NURSING HOME CARE.—(1) Effective as of October 1, 1994, sub-
section (a) of section 1720C is amended by striking out "During 
the four-year period beginning on October 1, 1990," and inserting 
in lieu thereof "During the period through September 30, 1995,". 
(2) Such subsection is further amended by striking out "care 
and who—" and inserting in lieu thereof "care. The Secretary shall 
give priority for participation in such program to veterans 
who—". 
(d) ENHANCED-USE LEASES OF REAL PROPERTY.—Section 8169 
is amended by striking out "December 31, 1994" and inserting 
in lieu thereof "December 31, 1995". 
PUBLIC LAW 103-452—NOV. 2, 1994 
108 STAT. 4787 
(e) AUTHORITY FOR COMMUNITY-BASED RESIDENTIAL CARE FOR 
HOMELESS CHRONICALLY MENTALLY I I I VETERANS AND OTHER VET-
ERANS.—Section 115(d) of the Veterans' Benefits and Services Act 
of 1988 (38 U.S.C. 1712 note) is amended by striking out "September 
30, 1994" and inserting in lieu thereof "September 30, 1995". 
(f) DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM OF COMPENSATED WORK THER-
APY.—Section 7(a) of Pubhc Law 102-54 (105 Stat. 269; 38 U.S.C. 
1718 note) is amended by striking out "1994" and inserting in 
lieu thereof "1995". 
(g) REPORT DEADLINES.—Section 201(b) of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs Nurse Pay Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-366; 
38 U.S.C. 1720C note) is amended by striking out "February 1, 
1994," and inserting in lieu thereof "February 1, 1995,". 
SEC. 104. FACILITIES IN REPUBLIC OF THE PfflLIPPINES. 
Notwithstanding section 1724 of title 38, United States Code, 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may contract with facilities in 
the Republic of the Philippines other than the Veterans Memorial 
Medical Center to furnish, during the period from February 28, 
1994, through June 1, 1994, hospital care and medical services 
to veterans for nonsendce-connected disabilities if such veterans 
are unable to defray the expenses of necessary hospital care. When 
the Secretary determines it to be most feasible, the Secretary may 
provide medical services under the preceding sentence to such veter-
ans at the Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic at 
Manila, Republic of the Philippines. 
SEC. 105. RATIFICATION OF ACTIONS DURING PERIOD OF LAPSED 
38 USC 1710 
AUTHORITY. 
note. 
Any action of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under section 
1710(e) of title 38, United States Code, during the period beginning 
on July 1, 1994, and ending on the date of the enactment of 
this Act is hereby ratified. 
TITLE II—CONSTRUCTION 
AUTHORIZATION 
SEC. 201. AUTHORIZATION OF MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECTS 
AND MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY LEASES. 
(a) PROJECTS AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
may carry out the major medical facility projects for the Department 
of Veterans Affairs, and may carry out the major medical facility 
leases for that Department, for which funds are requested in the 
budget of the President for fiscal year 1995. The authorization 
in the preceding sentence applies to projects and leases which 
have not been authorized, or for which funds have not been appro-
priated, in any fiscal year before fiscal year 1995 and to projects 
and leases which have been authorized, or for which funds were 
appropriated, in fiscal years before fiscal year 1995. 
(b) ADDITIONAL PROJECTS.—(1) In addition to the projects 
authorized in subsection (a), the Secretary may carry out the follow-
ing major medical facility projects in the amounts specified for 
such projects: 
(A) The projects that are proposed in the documents submit-
ted to Congress by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in conjunc-
tion with the budget of the President for fiscal year 1995 
108 STAT. 4788 
PUBLIC LAW 103-452—NOV. 2, 1994 
to be financed with funds from the proposed Health Care Invest-
ment Fund. 
(B) Construction of a nursing home faciUty at the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Charleston, South 
Carolina, in the amount of $7,300,000. 
(C) Construction of an outpatient care addition at the 
Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Phoenix, 
Arizona, in the amount of $50,000,000. 
(D) A lease/purchase of a nursing home facility near Fort 
Myers, Florida, in the amount of $12,800,000. 
(2) The authorizations in paragraph (1) apply to projects which 
have not been authorized, or for which funds have not been appro-
priated, in any fiscal year before fiscal year 1995 and to projects 
which have been authorized, or for which funds were appropriated, 
in fiscal years before fiscal year 1995. 
(c) PROJECTS FOR WHICH FUNDS APPROPRIATED.—In addition 
to the projects authorized in subsections (a) and (b), the Secretary 
may carry out the following major medical facility projects for 
which funds were appropriated in chapter 7 of the Emergency 
Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1994 (title I of Public Law 
103-211; 108 Stat. 10) in the amounts specified: 
(1) Construction of an ambulatory care/support services 
facility at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 
in Sepulveda, California, $53,700,000. 
(2) Other major medical facility projects required to repair, 
restore, or replace earthquake-damaged facilities at the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Sepulveda, Califor-
nia, $50,000,000. 
SEC. 202. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—^There are authorized to be appropriated to 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 1995— 
(1) $379,370,000 for the major medical facility projects 
authorized in subsections (a), (b), and (c) of section 201; and 
(2) $15,800,000 for the major medical facility leases author-
ized in section 201(a). 
(b) LIMITATION.—^The projects authorized in subsections (a) and 
(b) of section 201 may only be carried out using— 
(1) funds appropriated for fiscal year 1995 pursuant to 
the authorization of appropriations in subsection (a); 
(2) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects for 
a fiscal year before fiscal year 1995 that remain available 
for obligation; and 
(3) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects for 
fiscal year 1995 for a category of activity not specific to a 
project. 
(c) LIMITATION ON CERTAIN PROJECTS.—The projects authorized 
in subsection (c) of section 201 may only be carried out using— 
(1) funds appropriated to the Construction, Major Projects 
account under chapter 7 of the Emergency Supplemental Appro-
priations Act of 1994 (title I of Public Law 103-211; 108 Stat. 
10) and funds transferred by the President to the Construction, 
Major Projects account pursuant to chapter 8 of that Act (108 
Stat. 14); 
(2) funds appropriated to the Medical Care account by 
chapter 7 of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act 
PUBLIC LAW 103-452—NOV. 2, 1994 
108 STAT. 4789 
of 1994 that are transferred to the Construction, Major Projects 
account; 
(3) funds appropriated to the Construction, Major Projects 
account for a fiscal year before fiscal year 1995 that remain 
available for obligation; and 
(4) funds appropriated to the Construction, Major Projects 
account for fiscal year 1995 for a category of activity not specific 
to a project. 
Approved November 2, 1994. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 3313 (S. 1030) (S. 1626): 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 103-349 (Comm. on Veterans' Affairs). 
SENATE REPORTS: Nos. 103-136 accompanying S. 1030 and 103-267 accompanying 
S. 1626 (both from Comm. on Veterans' Affairs). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 139 (1993): Nov. 16, considered and passed House. 
Vol. 140 (1994): May 25, S. 1030 considered and passed Senate. 
June 8, H.R. 3313 considered and passed Senate, amended, in 
lieu of S. 1626. 
July 26, Senate vitiated passage of S. 1030; reconsidered and 
passed Senate, amended. 
Oct. 7, House concurred in Senate amendments to H.R. 3313 
with amendments. Senate concurred in House amendments. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 30 (1994): 
Nov. 2, Presidential statement.