Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2000
PL 106-419 (S.1402), enacted 11/01/2000

114 STAT. 1822 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
Public Law 106-419 
106th Congress 
Nov. 1, 2000 
[S. 1402] 
Veterans 
Benefits and 
Health Care 
Improvement Act 
of2000. 
38 u s e 101 note. 
An Act 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the rates of educational assistance 
under the Montgomery GI Bill, to improve procedures for the adjustment of 
rates of pay for nurses employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, to 
make other improvements in veterans educational assistance, health care, and 
benefits 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 
Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2000". 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for this Act 
is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code. 
TITLE I—EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROVISIONS 
Subtitle A—Montgomery GI Bill Educational Assistance 
Sec. 101. Increase in rates of basic educational assistance under Montgomery GI 
Bill. 
Sec. 102. Uniform requirement for high school diploma or equivalency before appli-
cation for Montgomery GI Bill benefits. 
Sec. 103. Repeal of requirement for initial obligated period of active duty as condi-
tion of eligibility for Montgomery GI Bill benefits. 
Sec. 104. Additional opportunity for certain VEAP participants to enroll in basic 
educational assistance under Montgomery GI Bill. 
Sec. 105. Increased active duty educational assistance benefit for contributing 
members. 
Subtitle B—Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance 
Sec. 111. Increase in rates of survivors' and dependents' educational assistance. 
Sec. 112. Election of certain recipients of commencement of period of eligibility for 
survivors' and dependents' educational assistance. 
Sec. 113. Adjusted effective date for award of survivors' and dependents' edu-
cational assistance. 
Sec. 114. Availability under survivors' and dependents' educational assistance of 
preparatory courses for college and graduate school entrance exams. 
Subtitle C—General Educational Assistance 
Sec. 121. Revision of educational assistance interval payment requirements. 
Sec. 122. Availability of education benefits for payment for licensing or certification 
tests. 
Sec. 123. Increase for fiscal years 2001 and 2002 in aggregate annual amount 
available for State approving agencies for administrative expenses. 
TITLE II—HEALTH PROVISIONS 
, Subtitle A—Personnel Matters 
Sec. 201. Annual national pay comparability adjustment for nurses employed by 
Department of Veterans Affairs. 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
114 STAT. 1823 
Sec. 202. Special pay for dentists. 
Sec. 203. Exemption for pharmacists from ceiling on special salary rates. 
Sec. 204. Temporary full-time appointments of certain medical personnel. 
Sec. 205. Qualifications of social workers. 
Sec. 206. Physician assistant adviser to Under Secretary for Health. 
Sec. 207. Extension of voluntary separation incentive payments. 
Subtitle B—Military Service Issues 
Sec. 211. Findings and sense of Congress concerning use of military histories of 
veterans in Department of Veterans Affairs health care. 
Sec. 212. Study of post-traumatic stress disorder in Vietnam veterans. 
Subtitle C—Medical Administration 
Sec. 221. Department of Veterans Affairs Fisher Houses. 
Sec. 222. Exception to recapture rule. 
Sec. 223. Sense of Congress concerning cooperation between the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs and the Department of Defense in the procurement of 
medical items. 
Sec. 224. Technical and conforming changes. 
Subtitle D—Construction Authorization 
Sec. 231. Authorization of major medical facility projects. 
Sec. 232. Authorization of appropriations. 
Subtitle E—Real Property Matters 
Sec. 241. Change to enhanced use lease congressional notification period. 
Sec. 242. Release of reversionary interest of the United States in certain real prop-
erty previously conveyed to the State of Tennessee. 
Sec. 243. Demolition, environmental cleanup, and reversion of Department of Vet-
erans Affairs Medical Center, Allen Park, Michigan. 
Sec. 244. Conveyance of certain property at the Carl Vinson Department of Vet-
erans Affairs Medical Center, Dublin, Georgia. 
Sec. 245. Land conveyance, Miles City Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
Center complex. Miles City, Montana. 
Sec. 246. Conveyance of Fort Lyon Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 
Colorado, to the State of Colorado. 
Sec. 247. Effect of closure of Fort Lyon Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
Center on administration of health care for veterans. 
TITLE III—COMPENSATION, INSURANCE, HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, AND 
MEMORIAL AFFAIRS PROVISIONS 
Subtitle A—Compensation Program Changes 
Sec. 301. Strokes and heart attacks incurred or aggravated by members of reserve 
components in the performance of duty while performing inactive duty 
training to be considered to be service-connected. 
Sec. 302. Special monthly compensation for women veterans who lose a breast as 
a result of a service-connected disability. 
Sec. 303. Benefits for persons disabled by participation in compensated work ther-
apy program. 
Sec. 304. Revision to limitation on payments of benefits to incompetent institu-
tionalized veterans. 
Sec. 305. Review of dose reconstruction program of the Defense Threat Reduction 
Agency. 
Subtitle B—Life Insurance Matters 
Sec. 311. Premiums for term Service Disabled Veterans' Insurance for veterans 
older than age 70. 
Sec. 312. Increase in automatic maximum coverage under Servicemembers' Group 
Life Insurance and Veterans' Group Life Insurance. 
Sec. 313. Eligibility of certain members of the Individual Ready Reserve for 
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance. 
Subtitle C—Housing and Employment Programs 
Sec. 321. Elimination of reduction in assistance for specially adapted housing for 
disabled veterans for veterans having joint ownership of housing units. 
Sec. 322. Veterans employment emphasis under Federal contracts for recently sep-
arated veterans. 
Sec. 323. Employers required to grant leave of absence for employees to participate 
in honor guards for funerals of veterans. 
114 STAT. 1824 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
Subtitle D—Cemeteries and Memorial Affairs 
Sec. 331. Eligibility for interment of certain Filipino veterans of World War II in 
national cemeteries. 
Sec. 332. Payment rate of certain burial benefits for certain Filipino veterans of 
World War II. 
Sec. 333. Plot allowance for burial in State veterans cemeteries. 
TITLE IV—OTHER MATTERS 
Sec. 401. Benefits for the children of women Vietnam veterans who suffer from cer-
tain birth defects. 
Sec. 402. Extension of certain expiring authorities. 
Sec. 403. Preservation of certain reporting requirements. 
Sec. 404. Technical amendments. 
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 other provision, the reference shall 
be considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 
38, United States Code. 
TITLE I—EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
PROVISIONS 
Subtitle A—Montgomery GI Bill 
Educational Assistance 
SEC. 101. INCREASE IN RATES OF BASIC EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
UNDER MONTGOMERY GI BILL. 
(a) ACTIVE DUTY EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.—Section 3015 is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking "$528" and inserting 
"$650"; and 
(2) in subsection (b)(1), by striking "$429" and inserting 
"$528". 
38 use 3015 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by subsection 
note. 
(a) shall take effect on November 1, 2000, and shall apply with 
respect to educational assistEuice allowances paid under chapter 
30 of title 38, United States Code, for months after October 2000. 
SEC. 102. UNIFORM REQUIREMENT FOR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR 
EQUIVALENCY BEFORE APPLICATION FOR MONTGOMERY 
GI BILL BENEFITS. 
(a) ACTIVE DUTY PROGRAM.—(1) Section 3011 is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (2) and 
inserting the following new paragraph (2): 
"(2) who completes the requirements of a secondary school 
diploma (or equivalency certificate), or successfully completes 
(or otherwise receives academic credit for) the equivalent of 
12 semester hours in a program of education leading to a 
standard college degree, before appl3dng for benefits under this 
section; and"; and 
(B) by striking subsection (e). 
(2) Section 3017(a)(l)(A)(ii) is amended by striking "clause 
(2)(A)" and inserting "clause (2)". 
(b) SELECTED RESERVE PROGRAM.—Section 3012 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (2) and inserting 
the following new paragraph (2): 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
114 STAT. 1825 
"(2) who completes the requirements of a secondary school 
diploma (or equivalency certificate), or successfully completes 
(or otherwise receives academic credit for) the equivalent of 
12 semester hours in a program of education leading to a 
standard college degree, before applying for benefits under this 
section; eind"; and 
(2) by striking subsection (f). 
(c) WITHDRAWAL OF ELECTION NOT TO ENROLL.—Paragraph 
(4) of section 3018(b) is amended to read as follows: 
"(4) before applying for benefits under this section— 
"(A) completes the requirements of a secondary school 
diploma (or equivalency certificate); or 
"(B) successfully completes (or otherwise receives aca-
demic credit for) the equivalent of 12 semester hours in 
a program of education leading to a standard college degree; 
and". 
(d) 
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR MEMBERS OF 
SELECTED RESERVE.—Paragraph (2) of section 16132(a) of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
"(2) before appljdng for benefits under this section, has 
completed the requirements of a secondary school diploma (or 
an equivalency certificate);". 
(e) DELIMITING PERIOD.—(1) In the case of an individual 
38 use 3031 
described in paragraph (2), with respect to the time limitation note. 
under section 3031 of title 38, United States Code, for use of 
eligibility and entitlement of basic educational assistance under 
chapter 30 of such title, the 10-year period applicable under such 
section shall begin on the later o
f
— 
(A) the date of the enactment of this Act; or 
(B) the date of the individual's last discharge or release 
fi"om active duty. 
(2) An individual referred to in paragraph (1) is an individual 
who— 
(A) before the date of the enactment of this Act, was not 
eligible for such basic educational assisteince by reason of the 
requirement of a secondary school diploma (or equivalency cer-
tificate) as a condition of eligibility for such assistance as in 
effect on the date preceding the date of the enactment of this 
Act; and 
(B) becomes entitled to basic educational assistance under 
section 3011(a)(2), 3012(a)(2), or 3018(b)(4) of title 38, United 
States Code, by reason of the amendments made by this section. 
SEC. 103. REPEAL 
OF REQUIREMENT 
FOR INITIAL 
OBLIGATED 
PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY AS CONDITION OF ELIGIBILITY 
FOR MONTGOMERY GI BILL BENEFITS. 
(a) ACTIVE DUTY PROGRAM.—Section 3011 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1)(A)— 
(A) by striking clause (i) and inserting the following 
new clause (i): 
"(i) who serves an obligated period of active duty 
of at least two years of continuous active duty in the 
Armed Forces; or"; and 
(B) in clause (ii)(II), by striking "in the case of an 
individual who completed not less than 20 months" and 
all that follows through "was at least three years" and 
inserting "if, in the case of an individual with an obligated 
114 STAT. 1826 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
period of service of two years, the individual completes 
not less than 20 months of continuous active duty under 
that period of obligated service, or, in the case of an indi-
vidual with an obligated period of service of at least three 
years, the individual completes not less than 30 months 
of continuous active duty under that period of obligated 
service"; 
(2) in subsection (d)(1), by striking "individual's initial obli-
gated period of active duty and inserting "obligated period 
of active duty on which an individual's entitlement to assistance 
under this section is based"; 
(3) in subsection (h)(2)(A), by striking "during an initial 
period of active duty," and inserting "during the obligated 
period of active duty on which entitlement to assistance under 
this section is based,"; and 
(4) in subsection (i), by striking "initial". 
(b) SELECTED RESERVE PROGRAM.—Section 3012 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(l)(A)(i), by striking ", as the individ-
ual's" and all that follows through "Armed Forces" and inserting 
"an obligated period of active duty of at least two years of 
continuous active duty in the Armed Forces"; and 
(2) in subsection (e)(1), by striking "initial". 
(c) DURATION OF ASSISTANCE.—Section 3013 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking "individual's initial obli-
gated period of active duty and inserting "obligated period 
of active duty on which such entitlement is based"; and 
(2) in subsection (b)(1), by striking "individual's initial obli-
gated period of active duty" and inserting "obligated period 
of active duty on which such entitlement is based". 
(d) AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE.—Section 3015 is amended— 
(1) in the second sentence of subsection (a), by inserting 
before "a basic educational assistance allowance" the following: 
"in the case of an individual entitled to an educational assist-
ance allowance under this chapter whose obligated period of 
active duty on which such entitlement is based is three years,"; 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking "and whose initial obligated 
period of active duty is two years," and inserting "whose obli-
gated period of active duty on which such entitlement is based 
is two years,"; and 
(3) in subsection (c)(2), by striking subparagraphs (A) and 
(B) and inserting the following new subparagraphs (A) and 
(B): 
"(A) whose obligated period of active duty on which such 
entitlement is based is less than three years; 
"(B) who, beginning on the date of the commencement 
of such obligated period of active duty, serves a continuous 
period of active duty of not less than three years; and". 
38 use 3031 
(e) DELIMITING PERIOD.—(1) In the case of an individual 
note. 
described in paragraph (2), with respect to the time limitation 
under section 3031 of title 38, United States Code, for use of 
eligibility and entitlement of basic educational assistance under 
chapter 30 of such title, the 10-year period applicable under such 
section shall begin on the later o
f
— 
(A) the date of the enactment of this Act; or 
(B) the date of the individual's last discharge or release 
from active duty. 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
114 STAT. 1827 
(2) An individual referred to in paragraph (1) is an individual 
who— 
(A) before the date of the enactment of this Act, was not 
eligible for basic educational assistance under chapter 30 of 
such title by reason of the requirement of an initial obligated 
period of active duty as condition of eligibility for such assist-
ance as in effect on the date preceding the date of the enactment 
of this Act; and 
(B) on or after such date becomes eligible for such assist-
ance by reason of the amendments made by this section. 
SEC. 104. ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR CERTAIN VEAP PARTICI-
PANTS TO ENROLL IN BASIC EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
UNDER MONTGOMERY GI BILL. 
(a) SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD.—Section 3018C is amended 
by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
"(e)(1) A qualified individual (described in paragraph (2)) may 
make an irrevocable election under this subsection, during the 
one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this 
subsection, to become entitled to basic educational assistance under 
this chapter. Such an election shall be made in the same manner 
as elections made under subsection (a)(5). 
"(2) A qualified individual referred to in paragraph (1) is an 
individual who meets each of the following requirements: 
"(A) The individual was a participant in the educational 
benefits program under chapter 32 of this title on or before 
October 9, 1996. 
"(B) The individual has continuously served on active duty 
since October 9, 1996 (excluding the periods referred to in 
section 3202(1)(C) of this title), through at least April, 1, 2000. 
"(C) The individual meets the requirements of subsection 
(a)(3). 
"(D) The individual, when discharged or released from 
active duty, is discharged or released therefrom with an honor-
able discharge. 
"(3)(A) Subject to the succeeding provisions of this paragraph, 
with respect to a qualified individual who makes an election under 
paragraph (1) to become entitled to basic education assistance under 
this chapter— 
"(i) the basic pay of the qualified individual shall be reduced 
(in a manner determined by the Secretary concerned) until 
the total amount by which such basic pay is reduced is $2,700; 
and 
"(ii) to the extent that basic pay is not so reduced before 
the qualified individual's discharge or release from active duty 
as specified in subsection (a)(4), at the election of the qualified 
individual— 
"(I) the Secretary concerned shall collect from the quali-
fied individual; or 
"(II) the Secretary concerned shall reduce the retired 
or retainer pay of the qualified individual by, 
an amount equal to the difference between $2,700 and the 
total amount of reductions under clause (i), which shall be 
paid into the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous 
receipts. 
"(B)(i) The Secretary concerned shall provide for an 18-month 
period, beginning on the date the qualified individual makes an 
114 STAT. 1828 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
election under paragraph (1), for the quahfied individual to pay 
that Secretary the amount due under subparagraph (A). 
"(ii) Nothing in clause (i) shall be construed as modifying the 
period of eligibility for and entitlement to basic education assistance 
under this chapter applicable under section 3031 of this title. 
"(C) The provisions of subsection (c) shall apply to qualified 
individuals making elections under this subsection in the same 
manner as they applied to individuals making elections under sub-
section (a)(5). 
"(4) With respect to qualified individuals referred to in para-
graph (3)(A)(ii), no amount of educational assistance allowance 
under this chapter shall be paid to the qualified individual until 
the earlier of the date on which— 
"(A) the Secretary concerned collects the applicable amount 
under subclause (I) of such paragraph; or 
"(B) the retired or retainer pay of the qualified individual 
is first reduced under subclause (II) of such paragraph. 
"(5) The Secretary, in conjunction with the Secretary of Defense, 
shall provide for notice to participants in the educational benefits 
program under chapter 32 of this title of the opportunity under 
this subsection to elect to become entitled to basic educational 
assistance under this chapter.". 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 3018C(b) is amended 
by striking "subsection (a)" and inserting "subsection (a) or (e)". 
38 use 3018c. 
(c) COORDINATION PROVISIONS.—(1) If this Act is enacted before 
the provisions of the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authoriza-
tion Act for Fiscal Year 2001 are enacted into law, section 1601 
of that Act, including the amendments made by that section, shall 
not take effect. If this Act is enacted after the provisions of the 
Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2001 are enacted into law, then as of the enactment of this 
Act, the amendments made by section 1601 of that Act shall be 
deemed for all purposes not to have taken effect and that section 
shall cease to be in effect. 
38 use 5107. 
(2) If the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 is enacted 
before the provisions of the Floyd D. Spence National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 are enacted into law, section 
1611 of the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2001, including the amendments made by that 
section, shall not take effect. If the Veterans Claims Assistance 
Act of 2000 is enacted after the provisions of the Floyd D. Spence 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 are enacted 
into law, then as of the enactment of the Veterans Claims Assist-
ance Act of 2000, the amendments made by section 1611 of the 
Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2001 shall be deemed for all purposes not to have taken 
effect and that section shall cease to be in effect. 
SEC. 105. INCREASED ACTIVE DUTY EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE BEN-
EFIT FOR CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS. 
(a) AUTHORITY To 
MAKE 
CONTRIBUTIONS FOR INCREASED 
ASSISTANCE AMOUNT.—(1) Section 3011, as amended by section 
102(a)(1)(B), is amended by inserting after subsection (d) the fol-
lowing new subsection (e): 
"(e)(1) Any individual eligible for educational assistance under 
this section who does not make an election under subsection (c)(1) 
may contribute amounts for purposes of receiving an increased 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
114 STAT. 1829 
amount of basic educational assistance as provided for under section 
3015(g) of this title. Such contributions shall be in addition to 
any reductions in the basic pay of such individual under subsection 
(b). 
"(2) An individual covered by paragraph (1) may make the 
contributions authorized by that paragraph at any time while on 
active duty. 
"(3) The total amount of the contributions made by an indi-
vidual under paragraph (1) may not exceed $600. Such contributions 
shall be made in multiples of $4. 
"(4) Contributions under this subsection shall be made to the 
Secretary. The Secretary shall deposit any amounts received by 
the Secretary as contributions under this subsection into the 
Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.". 
(2) Section 3012, as amended by section 102(b)(2), is amended 
by inserting after subsection (e) the following new subsection (f): 
"(f)(1) Any individual eligible for educational assistance under 
this section who does not make an election under subsection (d)(1) 
may contribute amounts for purposes of receiving an increased 
amount of basic educational assistance as provided for under section 
3015(g) of this title. Such contributions shall be in addition to 
any reductions in the basic pay of such individual under subsection 
(c). 
"(2) An individual covered by paragraph (1) may make the 
contributions authorized by that paragraph at any time while on 
active duty. 
"(3) The total amount of the contributions made by an indi-
vidual under paragraph (1) may not exceed $600. Such contributions 
shall be made in multiples of $4. 
"(4) Contributions under this subsection shall be made to the 
Secretary. The Secretary shall deposit any amounts received by 
the Secretary as contributions under this subsection into the 
Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.". 
(b) 
INCREASED 
ASSISTANCE 
AMOUNT.—Section 
3015 
is 
amended— 
(1) by striking "subsection (g)" each place it appears in 
subsections (a)(1) and (b)(1) and inserting "subsection (h)"; 
(2) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and 
(3) by inserting after subsection (f) the following new sub-
section (g): 
"(g) In the case of an individual who has made contributions 
authorized by section 3011(e) or 3012(f) of this title, the monthly 
amount of basic educational assistance allowance applicable to such 
individual under subsection (a), (b), or (c) shall be the monthly 
rate otherwise provided for under the applicable subsection 
increased by— 
"(1) an amount equal to $1 for each $4 contributed by 
such individual under section 3011(e) or 3012(f), as the case 
may be, for an approved program of education pursued on 
a full-time basis; or 
"(2) an appropriately reduced amount based on the amount 
so contributed, as determined under regulations which the Sec-
retary shall prescribe, for an approved program of education 
pursued on less than a full-time basis.". 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 38USC30ii 
shall take effect on May 1, 2001. 
note. 
114 STAT. 1830 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
38 use 3011 
(d) TRANSITIONAL PROVISION FOR INDIVIDUALS DISCHARGED 
note. 
BETWEEN ENACTMENT AND EFFECTIVE DATE.—(1) During the period 
beginning on May 1, 2001, and ending on July 31, 2001, an indi-
vidual described in paragraph (2) may make contributions under 
section 3011(e) or 3012(f) of title 38, United States Code (as added 
by subsection (a)), whichever is applicable to that individual, with-
out regard to paragraph (2) of that section and otherwise in the 
same manner as an individual eligible for educational assistance 
under chapter 30 of such title who is on active duty. 
(2) Paragraph (1) applies in the case of an individual who— 
(A) is discharged or released from active duty during the 
period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act 
and ending on April 30, 2001; and 
(B) is eligible for educational assistance under chapter 
30 of title 38, United States Code. 
Subtitle B—Survivors' and Dependents' 
Educational Assistance 
SEC. 111. INCREASE IN RATES OF SURVIVORS' AND DEPENDENTS' 
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE. 
(a) SURVIVORS' AND DEPENDENTS' EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.— 
Section 3532 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1)— 
(A) by striking "$485" and inserting "$588"; 
(B) by striking "$365" and inserting "$441"; and 
(C) by striking "$242" and inserting "$294"; 
(2) in subsection (a)(2), by striking "$485" and inserting 
"$588"; 
(3) in subsection (b), by striking "$485" and inserting 
"$588"; and 
(4) in subsection (c)(2)— 
(A) by striking "$392" and inserting "$475"; 
(B) by striking "$294" and inserting "$356"; and 
(C) by striking "$196" and inserting "$238". 
(b) CORRESPONDENCE COURSE.—Section 3534(b) is amended by 
striking "$485" and inserting "$588". 
(c) 
SPECIAL 
RESTORATIVE 
TRAINING.—Section 3542(a) is 
amended— 
(1) by striking "$485" and inserting "$588"; 
(2) by striking "$152" each place it appears and inserting 
"$184"; and 
(3) by striking "$16.16" and all that follows and inserting 
"such increased amount of allowance that is equal to one-
thirtieth of the full-time basic monthly rate of special training 
allowance.". 
(d) 
APPRENTICESHIP 
TRAINING.—Section 
3687(b)(2) 
is 
amended— 
(1) by striking "$353" and inserting "$428"; 
(2) by striking "$264" and inserting "$320"; 
(3) by striking "$175" and inserting "$212"; and 
(4) by striking "$88" and inserting "$107". 
38 use 3532 
(e) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by subsections 
note. 
(a) through (d) shall take effect on November 1, 2000, and shall 
apply with respect to educational assistance allowances paid under 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
114 STAT. 1831 
chapter 35 of title 38, United States Code, for months after October 
2000. 
(f) ANNUAL ADJUSTMENTS TO AMOUNTS OF ASSISTANCE.— 
(1) CHAPTER 35.—(A) Subchapter VI of chapter 35 is amend-
ed by adding at the end the following new section: 
''§ 3564. Annual adjustment of amounts of educational assist-
ance 
"With respect to any fiscal year, the Secretary shall provide 
a percentage increase (rounded to the nearest dollar) in the rates 
payable under sections 3532, 3534(b), and 3542(a) of this title 
equal to the percentage by which— 
"(1) the Consumer Price Index (all items. United States 
city average) for the 12-month period ending on the June 30 
preceding the beginning of the fiscal year for which the increase 
is made, exceeds 
"(2) such Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period 
preceding the 12-month period described in paragraph (1).". 
(B) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 35 
is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3563 
the following new item: 
"3564. Annual adjustment of amounts of educational assistance.". 
(2) CHAPTER 36.—Section 3687 is amended by adding at 
the end the following new subsection: 
"(d) With respect to any fiscal year, the Secretary shall provide 
a percentage increase (rounded to the nearest dollar) in the rates 
payable under subsection (b)(2) equal to the percentage by which— 
"(1) the Consumer Price Index (all items, tJnited States 
city average) for the 12-month period ending on the June 30 
preceding the beginning of the fiscal year for which the increase 
is made, exceeds 
"(2) such Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period 
preceding the 12-month period described in paragraph (1).". 
(3) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Sections 3654 and 3687(d) of title 38 use 3564 
38, United States Code, as added by this subsection, shall note. 
take effect on October 1, 2001. 
SEC. 112. ELECTION OF CERTAIN RECIPIENTS OF COMMENCEMENT 
OF PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY FOR SURVIVORS' AND DEPEND-
ENTS' EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE. 
Section 3512(a)(3) is amended by striking "8 years after," and 
all that follows through the end £ind inserting "8 years after the 
date that is elected by that person to be the beginning date of 
entitlement under section 3511 of this title or subchapter V of 
this chapter if— 
"(A) the Secretary approves that beginning date; 
"(B) the eligible person makes that election after the 
person's eighteenth birthday but before the person's 
twenty-sixth birthday; and 
"(C) that beginning date— 
"(i) in the case of a person whose eligibility is 
based on a parent who has a service-connected total 
disability permanent in nature, is between the dates 
described in subsection (d); and 
"(ii) in the case of a person whose eligibility is 
based on the death of a parent, is between— 
"(I) the date of the parent's death; and 
114 STAT. 1832 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
"(II) the date of the Secretary's decision that 
the death was service-connected;". 
SEC. 113. ADJUSTED EFFECTIVE DATE FOR AWARD OF SURVIVORS' 
AND DEPENDENTS' EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 5113 is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); 
(2) in subsection (a), by striking "subsection (b) of this 
section" and inserting "subsections (b) and (c)"; and 
(3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new sub-
section: 
"(b)(1) When determining the effective date of an award under 
chapter 35 of this title for an individual described in paragraph 
(2) based on an original claim, the Secretary may consider the 
individual's application as having been filed on the eligibility date 
of the individual if that eligibility date is more than one year 
before the date of the initial rating decision. 
"(2) An individual referred to in paragraph (1) is an eligible 
person who— 
"(A) submits to the Secretary an original application for 
educational assistance under chapter 35 of this title within 
one year of the date that the Secretary makes the rating 
decision; 
"(B) claims such educational assistance for pursuit of an 
approved program of education during a period preceding the 
one-year period ending on the date on which the application 
was received by the Secretary; and 
"(C) would have been entitled to such educational assist-
ance for such course pursuit if the individual had submitted 
such an application on the individual's eligibility date. 
"(3) In this subsection: 
"(A) The term 'eligibility date' means the date on which 
an individual becomes an eligible person. 
"(B) The term 'eligible person' has the meaning given that 
term under section 3501(a)(1) of this title under subparagraph 
(A)(i), (A)(ii), (B), or (D) of such section by reason of either 
(i) the service-connected death or (ii) service-connected total 
disability permanent in nature of the veteran from whom such 
eligibility is derived. 
"(C) The term 'initial rating decision' means with respect 
to an eligible person a decision made by the Secretary that 
establishes (i) service connection for such veteran's death or 
(ii) the existence of such veteran's service-connected total dis-
ability permanent in nature, as the case may be.". 
38 use 5113 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by subsection 
note. 
(a) shall apply to applications first made under section 3513 of 
title 38, United States Code, that— 
(1) are received on or after the date of the enactment 
of this Act; or 
(2) on the date of the enactment of this Act, are pending 
(A) with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or (B) exhaustion 
of available administrative and judicial remedies. 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
114 STAT. 1833 
SEC. 114. AVAILABILITY UNDER SURVIVORS' AND DEPENDENTS' EDU-
CATIONAL ASSISTANCE OF PREPARATORY COURSES FOR 
COLLEGE AND GRADUATE SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3501(a)(5) is amended by adding at 
the end the following new sentence: "Such term also includes any 
preparatory course described in section 3002(3)(B) of this title.". 
(b) SCOPE OP AVAILABILITY.—Section 3512(a) is amended— 
(1) by striking "and" at the end of clause (5); 
(2) by striking the period at the end of clause (6) and 
inserting "; and"; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
"(7) if the person is pursuing a preparatory course described 
in section 3002(3)(B) of this title, such period may begin on 
the date that is the first day of such course pursuit, notwith-
standing that such date may be before the person's eighteenth 
birthday, except that in no case may such person be afforded 
educational assistance under this chapter for pursuit of sec-
ondary schooling unless such course pursuit would otherwise 
be authorized under this subsection.". 
Subtitle C—General Educational 
Assistance 
SEC. 121. REVISION OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE INTERVAL PAY-
MENT REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subclause (C) of the third sentence of section 
3680(a) is amended to read as follows: 
"(C) during periods between school terms where the edu-
cational institution certifies the enrollment of the eligible vet-
eran or eligible person on an individual term basis if (i) the 
period between those terms does not exceed eight weeks, and 
(ii) both the terms preceding and following the period are 
not shorter in length than the period.". 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 38 use 3680 
shall apply with respect to payments of educational assistance i
^
o
^
e
-
under title 38, United States Code, for months beginning on or 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 122. AVAILABILITY OF EDUCATION BENEFITS FOR PAYMENT FOR 
LICENSING OR CERTIFICATION TESTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Sections 3452(b) and 3501(a)(5) (as amended 
by section 114(a)) are each amended by adding at the end the 
following new sentence: "Such term also includes licensing or certifi-
cation tests, the successfiil completion of which demonstrates an 
individual's possession of the knowledge or skill required to enter 
into, maintain, or advance in employment in a predetermined and 
identified vocation or profession, provided such tests and the 
licensing or credentialing organizations or entities that offer such 
tests are approved by the Secretary in accordance with section 
3689 of this title.". 
(b) AMOUNT OF PAYMENT.— 
(1) CHAPTER SO.—Section 3032 is amended by adding at 
the end the following new subsection: 
"(f)(1) Subject to paragraph (3), the amount of educational 
assistance payable under this chapter for a licensing or certification 
114 STAT. 1834 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
test described in section 3452(b) of this title is the lesser of $2,000 
or the fee charged for the test. 
"(2) The number of months of entitlement charged in the case 
of any individual for such licensing or certification test is equal 
to the number (including any fraction) determined by dividing the 
total amount of educational assistance paid such individual for 
such test by the full-time monthly institutional rate of educational 
assistance which, except for paragraph (1), such individual would 
otherwise be paid under subsection (a)(1), (b)(1), (d), or (e)(1) of 
section 3015 of this title, as the case may be. 
"(3) In no event shall pa3anent of educational assistance under 
this subsection for such a test exceed the amount of the individual's 
available entitlement under this chapter.". 
(2) CHAPTER 32.—Section 3232 is amended by adding at 
the end the following new subsection: 
"(c)(1) Subject to paragraph (3), the amount of educational 
assistance payable under this chapter for a licensing or certification 
test described in section 3452(b) of this title is the lesser of $2,000 
or the fee charged for the test. 
"(2) The number of months of entitlement charged in the case 
of any individual for such licensing or certification test is equal 
to the number (including any fraction) determined by dividing the 
total amount paid to such individual for such test by the full-
time monthly institutional rate of the educational assistance allow-
ance which, except for paragraph (1), such individual would other-
wise be paid under this chapter. 
"(3) In no event shall payment of educational assistance under 
this subsection for such a test exceed the amount of the individual's 
available entitlement under this chapter.". 
(3) CHAPTER 34.—Section 3482 is amended by adding at 
the end the following new subsection: 
"(h)(1) Subject to paragraph (3), the amount of educational 
assistance payable under this chapter for a licensing or certification 
test described in section 3452(b) of this title is the lesser of $2,000 
or the fee charged for the test. 
"(2) The number of months of entitlement charged in the case 
of any individual for such licensing or certification test is equal 
to the number (including any fraction) determined by dividing the 
total amount paid to such individual for such test by the full-
time monthly institutional rate of the educational assistance allow-
ance which, except for paragraph (1), such individual would other-
wise be paid under this chapter. 
"(3) In no event shall payment of educational assistance under 
this subsection for such a test exceed the amount of the individual's 
available entitlement under this chapter.". 
(4) CHAPTER 35.—Section 3532 is amended by adding at 
the end the following new subsection: 
"(f)(1) Subject to paragraph (3), the amount of educational 
assistance payable under this chapter for a licensing or certification 
test described in section 3501(a)(5) of this title is the lesser of 
$2,000 or the fee charged for the test. 
"(2) The number of months of entitlement charged in the case 
of any individual for such licensing or certification test is equal 
to the number (including any fraction) determined by dividing the 
total amount paid to such individual for such test by the full-
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
114 STAT. 1835 
time monthly institutional rate of the educational assistance allow-
ance which, except for paragraph (1), such individual would other-
wise be paid under this chapter. 
"(3) In no event shall payment of educational assistance under 
this subsection for such a test exceed the amount of the individual's 
available entitlement under this chapter.". 
(c) 
REQUIREMENTS 
FOR LICENSING 
AND CREDENTIALING 
TESTING.—(1) Chapter 36 is amended by inserting after section 
3688 the following new section: 
"§3689. Approval requirements for licensing and certifi-
cation testing 
"(a) IN GENERAL.—(1) No payment may be made for a licensing 
or certification test described in section 3452(b) or 3501(a)(5) of 
this title unless the Secretary determines that the requirements 
of this section have been met with respect to such test and the 
organization or entity offering the test. The requirements of 
approval for tests and organizations or entities offering tests shall 
be in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and chapters 
30, 32, 34, and 35 of this title and with regulations prescribed 
by the Secretary to carry out this section. 
"(2) To the extent that the Secretary determines practicable. 
State approving agencies may, in lieu of the Secretary, approve 
licensing and certification tests, and organizations and entities 
offering such tests, under this section. 
"(b) REQUIREMENTS FOR TESTS.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), 
a licensing or certification test is approved for purposes of this 
section only if— 
"(A) the test is required under Federal, State, or local 
law or regulation for an individual to enter into, maintain, 
or advance in employment in a predetermined and identified 
vocation or profession; or 
"(B) the Secretary determines that the test is generally 
accepted, in accordance with relevant government, business, 
or industry standards, employment policies, or hiring practices, 
as attesting to a level of knowledge or skill required to qualify 
to enter into, maintain, or advance in emplo3mient in a predeter-
mined and identified vocation or profession. 
"(2) A licensing or certification test offered by a State, or 
a political subdivision of a State, is deemed approved by the Sec-
retary for purposes of this section. 
"(c) REQUIREMENTS FOR ORGANIZATIONS OR ENTITIES OFFERING 
TESTS.—(1) Each organization or entity that is not an entity of 
the United States, a State, or political subdivision of a State, 
that offers a licensing or certification test for which payment may 
be made under chapter 30, 32, 34, or 35 of this title and that 
meets the following requirements, shall be approved by the Sec-
retary to offer such test: 
"(A) The organization or entity certifies to the Secretary 
that the licensing or certification test offered by the organiza-
tion or entity is generally accepted, in accordance with relevant 
government, business, or industry standards, employment poli-
cies, or hiring practices, as attesting to a level of knowledge 
or skill required to qualify to enter into, maintain, or advance 
in employment in a predetermined and identified vocation or 
profession. 
7&-194 O - 00 - 24 : QL 3 Part 3 
114 STAT. 1836 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
"(B) The organization or entity is licensed, chartered, or 
incorporated in a State and has offered the test for a minimum 
of two years before the date on which the organization or 
entity first submits to the Secretary an apphcation for approval 
under this section. 
"(C) The organization or entity employs, or consults with, 
individuals with expertise or substantial experience with 
respect to all areas of knowledge or skill that are measured 
by the test and that are required for the license or certificate 
issued. 
"(D) The organization or entity has no direct 
financial 
interest in— 
"(i) the outcome of the test; or 
"(ii) organizations that provide the education or 
training of candidates for licenses or certificates required 
for vocations or professions. 
"(E) The organization or entity maintains appropriate 
records with respect to all candidates who take the test for 
a period prescribed by the Secretary, but in no case for a 
period of less than three years. 
"(F)(i) The organization or entity promptly issues notice 
of the results of the test to the candidate for the license or 
certificate. 
"(ii) The orgemization or entity has in place a process 
to review complaints submitted against the organization or 
entity with respect to the test or the process for obtaining 
a license or certificate required for vocations or professions. 
"(G) The organization or entity furnishes to the Secretary 
such information with respect to the test as the Secretary 
requires to determine whether pa5anent may be made for the 
test xmder chapter 30, 32, 34, or 35 of this title, including 
personal identifying information, fee payment, and test results. 
Such information shall be fiimished in the form prescribed 
by the Secretary. 
"(H) The organization or entity furnishes to the Secretary 
the following information: 
"(i) A description of the licensing or certification test 
offered by the organization or entity, including the purpose 
of the test, the vocational, professional, governmental, and 
other entities that recognize the test, and the license or 
certificate issued upon successful completion of the test, 
"(ii) The requirements to take the test, including the 
amount of the fee charged for the test and any prerequisite 
education, training, skills, or other certification. 
"(iii) The period for which the license or certificate 
awarded upon successful completion of the test is valid, 
and the requirements for maintaining or renewing the 
license or certificate. 
"(I) Upon request of the Secretary, the organization or 
entity furnishes such information to the Secretary that the 
Secretary determines necessary to perform an assessment o
f
— 
"(i) the test conducted by the organization or entity 
as compared to the level of knowledge or skills that a 
license or certificate attests; and 
"(ii) the applicability of the test over such periods of 
time as the Secretary determines appropriate. 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
114 STAT. 1837 
"(2) With respect to each organization or entity that is an 
entity of the United States, a State, or pohtical subdivision of 
a State, that offers a Hcensing or certification test for which pay-
ment may be made under chapters 30, 32, 34, or 35 of this title, 
the following provisions of paragraph (1) shall apply to the entity: 
subparagraphs (E), (F), (G), and (H). 
"(d) ADMINISTRATION.—Except as otherwise specifically pro-
vided in this section or chapter 30, 32, 34, or 35 of this title, 
in implementing this section and making payment under any such 
chapter for a licensing or certification test, the test is deemed 
to be a 'course' and the organization or entity that offers such 
test is deemed to be an 'institution' or 'educational institution', 
respectively, as those terms are applied under and for purposes 
of sections 3671, 3673, 3674, 3678, 3679, 3681, 3682, 3683, 3685, 
3690, and 3696 of this title. 
"(e) PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE ADVISORY 
COMMITTEE.—(1) There is established within the Department a 
committee to be known as the Professional Certification and Licen-
sure Advisory Committee (hereinafter in this section referred to 
as the 'Committee'). 
"(2) The Committee shall advise the Secretary with respect 
to the requirements of organizations or entities offering licensing 
and certification tests to individuals for which payment for such 
tests may be made under chapter 30, 32, 34, or 35 of this title, 
and such other related issues as the Committee determines to 
be appropriate. 
"(3)(A) The Secretary shall appoint seven individuals with 
expertise in matters relating to licensing and certification tests 
to serve as members of the Committee. 
"(B) The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Defense shall 
serve as ex officio members of the Committee. 
"(C) A vacancy in the Committee shall be filled in the manner 
in which the original appointment was made. 
"(4)(A) The Secretary shall appoint the chairman of the Com-
mittee. 
"(B) The Committee shall meet at the call of the chairman. 
"(5) The Committee shall terminate December 31, 2006.". 
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 36 is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3688 the 
following new item: 
"3689. Approval requirements for licensing and certification testing." 
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 38USC3032 
shall take effect on March 1, 2001, and shall apply with respect note. 
to licensing and certification tests approved by the Secretary of 
Veterans Aifairs on or gifter such date. 
(e) STARTUP FUNDING.—From amounts appropriated to the 
Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2001 for readjustment 
benefits, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall use an amount 
not to exceed $3,000,000 to develop the systems and procedures 
required to make payments under chapters 30, 32, 34, and 35 
of title 38, United States Code, for licensing and certification tests. 
SEC. 123. INCREASE FOR FISCAL YEARS 2001 AND 2002 IN AGGREGATE 
ANNUAL A M O U N T AVAILABLE FOR STATE APPROVING 
AGENCIES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. 
Section 3674(a)(4) is amended— 
114 STAT. 1838 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
(1) in the first sentence, by inserting "or, for each of fiscal 
years 2001 and 2002, $14,000,000" after "$13,000,000"; and 
(2) in the second sentence, by striking "$13,000,000" both 
places it appears and inserting "the amount applicable to that 
fiscal year under the preceding sentence". 
TITLE II—HEALTH PROVISIONS 
Subtitle A—Personnel Matters 
SEC. 201. ANNUAL NATIONAL PAY COMPARABILITY ADJUSTMENT FOR 
NURSES 
EMPLOYED BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
AFFAIRS. 
(a) REVISED PAY ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURES.—(1) Subsection (d) 
of section 7451 is amended— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) by striking "The rates" and inserting "Subject to 
subsection (e), the rates"; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (A)— 
(I) by striking "section 5305" and inserting "section 
5303"; and 
(II) by inserting "and to be by the same percentage" 
after "to have the same effective date"; 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking "Such" in the second 
sentence and inserting "Except as provided in paragraph (1)(A), 
such"; 
(C) in paragraph (3)(B)— 
(i) by inserting after the first sentence the following 
new sentence: "To the extent practicable, the director shall 
use third-party industry wage surveys to meet the require-
ments of the preceding sentence."; 
(ii) by inserting before the penultimate sentence the 
following new sentence: "To the extent practicable, all sur-
veys conducted pursuant to this subparagraph or subpara-
graph (A) shall include the collection of salary midpoints, 
actual salaries, lowest and highest salaries, average sala-
ries, bonuses, incentive pays, differential pays, actual 
beginning rates of pay, and such other information needed 
to meet the purpose of this section."; and 
(iii) in the penultimate sentence, by inserting "or pub-
lished" after "completed"; and 
(D) by striking clause (iii) of paragraph (3)(C). 
(2) Subsection (e) of such section is amended to read as follows: 
"(e)(1) An adjustment in a rate of basic pay under subsection 
(d) may not reduce the rate of basic pay applicable to any grade 
of a covered position. 
"(2) The director of a Department health-care facility, in deter-
mining whether to carry out a wage survey under subsection (d)(3) 
with respect to rates of basic pay for a grade of a covered position, 
may not consider as a factor in such determination the absence 
of a current recruitment or retention problem for personnel in 
that grade of that position. The director shall make such a deter-
mination based upon whether, in accordance with criteria estab-
lished by the Secretary, there is a significant pay-related staffing 
problem at that facility in any grade for a position. If the director 
determines that there is such a problem, or that such a problem 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
114 STAT. 1839 
is likely to exist in the near future, the Director shall provide 
for a wage survey in accordance with subsection (d)(3). 
"(3) The Under Secretary for Health may, to the extent nec-
essary to carry out the purposes of subsection (d), modify any 
determination made by the director of a Department health-care 
facility with respect to adjusting the rates of basic pay applicable 
to covered positions. If the determination of the director would 
result in an adjustment in rates of basic pay applicable to covered 
positions, any action by the Under Secretary under the preceding 
sentence shall be made before the effective date of such pay adjust-
ment. Upon such action by the Under Secretary, any adjustment 
shall t£ike effect on the first day of the first pay period beginning 
after such action. The Secretary shall ensure that the Under Sec-
retary establishes a mechanism for the timely exercise of the 
authority in this paragraph. 
"(4) Each director of a Department health-care facility shall 
provide to the Secretary, not later than July 31 each year, a report 
on staffing for covered positions at that facility. The report shall 
include the following: 
"(A) Information on turnover rates and vacancy rates for 
each grade in a covered position, including a comparison of 
those rates with the rates for the preceding thi-ee years. 
"(B) The director's findings concerning the review and 
evaluation of the facility's staffing situation, including whether 
there is, or is likely to be, in accordance with criteria established 
by the Secretary, a significant pay-related staffing problem 
at that facility for any grade of a covered position and, if 
so, whether a wage survey was conducted, or will be conducted 
with respect to that grade. 
"(C) In any case in which the director conducts such a 
wage survey during the period covered by the report, informa-
tion describing the survey and any actions taken or not taken 
based on the survey, and the reasons for taking (or not taking) 
such actions. 
"(D) In any case in which the director, after finding that 
there is, or is likely to be, in accordance with criteria established 
by the Secretary, a significant pay-related staffing problem 
at that facility for any grade of a covered position, determines 
not to conduct a wage survey with respect to that position, 
a statement of the reasons why the director did not conduct 
such a survey. 
"(5) Not later than September 30 of each year, the Secretary Deadline. 
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate 
and House of Representatives a report on staffing for covered posi-
tions at Department health care facilities. Each such report shall 
include the following: 
"(A) A summary and analysis of the information contained 
in the most recent reports submitted by facility directors under 
paragraph (4). 
"(B) The information for each such facility specified in 
paragraph (4).". 
(3) Subsection (f) of such section is amended— 
(A) by striking "February 1 of 1991, 1992, and 1993" and 
inserting "March 1 of each year"; and 
(B) by striking "subsection (d)(1)(A)" and inserting "sub-
section (d)". 
114 STAT. 1840 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
(4) Such section is further amended by striking subsection 
(g) and redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (g). 
(b) REQUIRED CONSULTATIONS WITH NURSES.—(1) Subchapter 
II of chapter 73 is further amended by adding at the end the 
following new section: 
*'§ 7323. Required consultations with nurses 
"The Under Secretary for Health shall ensure that— 
"(1) the director of a geographic service area, in formulating 
policy relating to the provision of patient care, shall consult 
regularly with a senior nurse executive or senior nurse execu-
tives; and 
"(2) the director of a medical center shall include a reg-
istered nurse as a member of any committee used at that 
medical center to provide recommendations or decisions on 
medical center operations or policy affecting clinical services, 
clinical outcomes, budget, or resources.". 
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter 
is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7322 
the following new item: 
"7323. Required consultations with nurses.". 
SEC. 202. SPECIAL PAY FOR DENTISTS. 
(a) FuLL-TlME STATUS PAY.—Paragraph (1) of section 7435(b) 
is amended by striking "$3,500" and inserting "$9,000". 
(b) TENURE PAY.—The table in paragraph (2)(A) of that section 
is amended to read as follows: 
Rate 
"Length of Service 
Minimum 
Maximum 
1 year but less than 2 years 
$1,000 
$2,000 
2 years but less than 4 years 
4,000 
5,000 
4 years but less than 8 years 
5,000 
8,000 
8 years but less than 12 years 
8,000 
12,000 
12 years but less than 20 years 
12,000 
15,000 
20 years or more 
15,000 
18,000.". 
(c) SCARCE SPECIALTY PAY.—Paragraph (3)(A) of that section 
is amended by striking "$20,000" and inserting "$30,000". 
(d) RESPONSIBILITY PAY.—(1) The table in paragraph (4)(A) 
of that section is amended to read as follows: 
Rate 
"Position 
Minimum 
Maximum 
Chief of Staff or in an Executive Grade 
$14,500 
$25,000 
Director Grade 
0 
25,000 
Service Chief (or in a comparable position as deter-
mined by the Secretary) 
4,500 
15,000.". 
(2) The table in paragraph (4)(B) of that section is amended 
to read as follows: 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
114 STAT. 1841 
"Position 
Rate 
Deputy Service Director 
$20,000 
Service Director 
25,000 
Deputy Assistant Under Secretary for Health 
27,500 
Assistant Under Secretary for Health (or in a comparable position 
as determined by the Secretary) 
30,000.". 
(e) GEOGRAPHIC PAY.—Paragraph (6) of that section is amended 
by striking "$5,000" and inserting "$12,000". 
(f) SPECIAL PAY FOR POST-GRADUATE TRAINING.—Such section 
is further amended by adding at the end the following new para-
graph: 
"(8) For a dentist who has successfully completed a post-
graduate year of hospital-based training in a program accred-
ited by the American Dental Association, an annual rate of 
$2,000 for each of the first two years of service after successful 
completion of that training.". 
(g) CREDITING OF INCREASED TENURE PAY FOR CIVIL SERVICE 
RETIREMENT.—Section 7438(b) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new para-
graph (5): 
"(5) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), a dentist employed 
as a dentist in the Veterans Health Administration on the date 
of the enactment of the Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improve-
ment Act of 2000 shall be entitled to have special pay paid to 
the dentist under section 7435(b)(2)(A) of this title (referred to 
as 'tenure pay') considered basic pay for the purposes of chapter 
83 or 84, as appropriate, of title 5 only as follows: 
"(A) In an amount equal to the amount that would have 
been so considered under such section on the day before such 
date based on the rates of special pay the dentist was entitled 
to receive under that section on the day before such date. 
"(B) With respect to any amount of special pay received 
under that section in excess of the amount such dentist was 
entitled to receive under such section on the day before such 
date, in an amount equal to 25 percent of such excess amount 
for each two years that the physician or dentist has completed 
as a physician or dentist in the Veterans Health Administration 
after such date.". 
(h) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 
38 USC 7435 
shall apply with respect to agreements entered into by dentists note. 
under subchapter III of chapter 74 of title 38, United States Code, 
on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(i) TRANSITION.—In the case of an agreement entered into by 
38 USC 7435 
a dentist under subchapter III of chapter 74 of title 38, United note. 
States Code, before the date of the enactment of this Act that 
expires after that date, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the 
dentist concerned may agree to terminate that agreement as of 
the date of the enactment of this Act in order to permit a new 
agreement in accordance with section 7435 of such title, as amended 
by this section, to take effect as of that date. 
SEC. 203. EXEMPTION FOR PHARMACISTS FROM CEILING ON SPECIAL 
SALARY RATES. 
Section 7455(c)(1) is amended by inserting ", pharmacists," 
after "anesthetists". 
114 STAT. 1842 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
SEC. 204. TEMPORARY FULL-TIME APPOINTMENTS OF CERTAIN MED-
ICAL PERSONNEL. 
(a) PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS AWAITING CERTIFICATION OR LICEN-
SURE.—Paragraph (2) of section 7405(c) is amended to read as 
follows: 
"(2) A temporary full-time appointment may not be made for 
a period in excess of two years in the case of a person who— 
"(A) has successfully completed— 
"(i) a full course of nursing in a recognized school 
of nursing, approved by the Secretary; or 
"(ii) a full course of training for any category of per-
sonnel described in paragraph (3) of section 7401 of this 
title, or as a physician assistant, in a recognized education 
or training institution approved by the Secretary; and 
"(B) is pending registration or licensure in a State or certifi-
cation by a national board recognized by the Secretary.". 
(b) MEDICAL SUPPORT PERSONNEL.—That section is further 
amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new para-
graph (3): 
"(3)(A) Temporary full-time appointments of persons in posi-
tions referred to in subsection (a)(1)(D) shall not exceed three years. 
"(B) Temporary full-time appointments under this paragraph 
may be renewed for one or more additional periods not in excess 
of three years each.". 
SEC. 205. QUALIFICATIONS OF SOCIAL WORKERS. 
Section 7402(b)(9) is amended by striking "a person must" 
and all that follows and inserting "a person must— 
"(A) hold a master's degree in social work from a college 
or university approved by the Secretary; and 
"(B) be licensed or certified to independently practice social 
work in a State, except that the Secretary may waive the 
requirement of licensure or certification for an individual social 
worker for a reasonable period of time recommended by the 
Under Secretary for Health.". 
SEC. 206. PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT ADVISER TO UNDER SECRETARY FOR 
HEALTH. 
Section 7306(a) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraph (9) as paragraph (10); and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following new para-
graph (9): 
"(9) The Advisor on Physician Assistants, who shall be 
a physician assistant with appropriate experience and who 
shall advise the Under Secretary for Health on all matters 
relating to the utilization and employment of physician assist-
ants in the Administration.". 
SEC. 207. EXTENSION OF VOLUNTARY SEPARATION INCENTIVE PAY-
MENTS. 
The Department of Veterans Affairs Employment Reduction 
Assistance Act of 1999 (title XI of Pubhc Law 106-117; 5 U.S.C. 
5597 note) is amended as follows: 
(1) Section 1102(c) is amended to read as follows: 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
114 STAT. 1843 
"(c) LIMITATION.—The plan under subsection (a) shall be limited 
to a total of 7,734 positions within the Department, allocated among 
the elements of the Department as follows: 
"(1) The Veterans Health Administration, 6,800 positions. 
"(2) The Veterans Benefits Administration, 740 positions. 
"(3) Department of Veterans Affairs Staff Offices, 156 posi-
tions. 
"(4) The National Cemetery Administration, 38 positions.". 
(2) Section 1105(a) is amended by striking "26 percent" 
and inserting "15 percent". 
(3) Section 1109(a) is amended by striking "December 31, 
2000" and inserting "December 31, 2002". 
Subtitle B—Military Service Issues 
SEC. 211. FINDINGS AND SENSE OF CONGRESS CONCERNING USE OF 
MILITARY HISTORIES OF VETERANS IN DEPARTMENT OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS HEALTH CARE. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) Pertinent military experiences and exposures may affect 
the health status of Department of Veterans Affairs patients 
who are veterans. 
(2) The Department of Veterans Affairs has begun to imple-
ment a Veterans Health Initiative to develop systems to ensure 
that both patient care and medical education in the Veterans 
Health Administration are specific to the special needs of vet-
erans and should be encouraged to continue these efibrts. 
(3) Protocols eliciting pertinent information relating to the 
military history of veterans may be beneficial to understanding 
certain conditions for which veterans may be at risk and 
thereby facilitate the treatment of veterans for those conditions. 
(4) The Department of Veterans Affairs is in the process 
of developing a Computerized Patient Record System that offers 
the potential to aid in the care and monitoring of such condi-
tions. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—Congress— 
(1) urges the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to assess the 
feasibility and desirability of using a computer-based system 
to conduct clinical evaluations relevant to military experiences 
and exposures; and 
(2) recommends that the Secretary accelerate efforts within 
the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that relevant 
military histories of veterans are included in Department med-
ical records. 
SEC. 212. STUDY OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER IN VIETNAM 
38 USC 1712A 
VETERANS. 
note. 
(a) STUDY ON POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.—Not later 
than 10 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into a contract with an 
appropriate entity to carry out a study on post-traumatic stress 
disorder. 
(b) FOLLOW-UP STUDY.—The contract under subsection (a) shall 
provide for a follow-up study to the study conducted in accordance 
with section 102 of the Veterans Health Care Amendments of 
114 STAT. 1844 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
1983 (Public Law 98-160). Such follow-up study shall use the 
data base and sample of the previous study. 
(c) INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED.—The study conducted 
pursuant to this section shall be designed to yield information 
on— 
(1) the long-term course of post-traumatic stress disorder; 
(2) any long-term medical consequences of post-traumatic 
stress disorder; 
(3) whether particular subgroups of veterans are at greater 
risk of chronic or more severe problems with such disorder; 
and 
(4) the services used by veterans who have post-traumatic 
stress disorder and the effect of those services on the course 
of the disorder. 
(d) REPORT.—The Secretary shall submit to the Committees 
on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives 
a report on the results of the study under this section. The report 
shall be submitted no later than October 1, 2004. 
Subtitle C—Medical Administration 
SEC. 221. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FISHER HOUSES. 
(a) AUTHORITY.—Subchapter I of chapter 17 is amended by 
adding at the end the following new section: 
38 use 1708. 
"§1708. Temporary lodging 
"(a) The Secretary may furnish persons described in subsection 
(b) with temporary lodging in a Fisher house or other appropriate 
facility in connection with the examination, treatment, or care 
of a veteran under this chapter or, as provided for under subsection 
(e)(5), in connection with benefits administered under this title. 
"(b) Persons to whom the Secretary may provide lodging under 
subsection (a) are the following: 
"(1) A veteran who must travel a significant distance to 
receive care or services under this title. 
"(2) A member of the family of a veteran and others who 
accompany a veteran and provide the equivalent of familial 
support for such veteran. 
"(c) In this section, the term 'Fisher house' means a housing 
facility that— 
"(1) is located at, or in proximity to, a Department medical 
facility; 
"(2) is available for residential use on a temporary basis 
by patients of that facility and others described in subsection 
(b)(2); and 
"(3) is constructed by, and donated to the Secretary by, 
the Zachary and Elizabeth M. Fisher Armed Services Founda-
tion. 
"(d) The Secretary may establish charges for providing lodging 
under this section. The proceeds from such charges shall be credited 
to the medical care account and shall be available until expended 
for the purposes of providing such lodging. 
"(e) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry out this 
section. Such regulations shall include provisions— 
"(1) limiting the duration of lodging provided under this 
section; 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
114 STAT. 1845 
"(2) establishing standards and criteria under which 
charges are estabhshed for such lodging under subsection (d); 
"(3) establishing criteria for persons considered to be accom-
panying a veteran under subsection (b)(2); 
"(4) establishing criteria for the use of the premises of 
temporary lodging facilities under this section; and 
"(5) establishing any other limitations, conditions, and 
priorities that the Secretary considers appropriate with respect 
to lodging under this section.". 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—^The table of sections at the begin-
ning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating 
38 USC prec. 
to section 1707 the following new item: 
I'^Ol-
"1708. Temporary lodging.". 
SEC. 222. EXCEPTION TO RECAPTURE RULE. 
Section 8136 is amended— 
(1) by inserting "(a)" at the beginning of the text of the 
section; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
"(b) The establishment and operation by the Secretary of an 
outpatient clinic in facilities described in subsection (a) shall not 
constitute grounds entitling the United States to any recovery under 
that subsection.". 
SEC. 223. SENSE 
OF 
CONGRESS 
CONCERNING 
COOPERATION 
BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND 
THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE IN THE PROCUREMENT 
OF MEDICAL ITEMS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) The procurement and distribution of medical items, 
including prescription drugs, is a multibillion-dollar annual 
business for both the Department of Defense and the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs. 
(2) Those departments prescribe common high-use drugs 
to many of their 12,000,000 patients who have similar medical 
profiles. 
(3) The health care systems of those departments should 
have management systems that can share and communicate 
clinical and management information useful for both systems. 
(4) The institutional barriers separating the two depart-
ments have begun to be overcome in the area of medical sup-
plies, in part as a response to recommendations by the Greneral 
Accounting Office and the Commission on Servicemembers and 
Veterans Transition Assistance. 
(5) There is significant potential for improved savings and 
services by improving cooperation between the two departments 
in the procurement and management of prescription drugs, 
while remaining mindful that the two departments have dif-
ferent missions. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 
the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs 
should increase, to the maximum extent consistent with their 
respective missions, their level of cooperation in the procurement 
and management of prescription drugs. 
114 STAT. 1846 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
SEC. 224. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING CHANGES. 
(a) REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE CARE.—Section l710A(a) is 
amended by inserting "(subject to section 1710(a)(4) of this title)" 
after "Secretary" the first place it appears. 
(b) 
CONFORMING 
AMENDMENTS.—Section 
1710(a)(4) 
is 
amended— 
(1) by inserting "the requirement in section 1710A(a) of 
this title that the Secretary provide nursing home care," after 
"medical services,"; and 
(2) by striking the comma after "extended care services". 
(c) OUTPATIENT TREATMENT.—Section 201 of the Veterans 
Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act (Public Law 106-117; 
113 Stat. 1561) is amended by adding at the end the following 
new subsection: 
38 use 1710 
"(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by subsection 
i^ote. 
(b) shall apply with respect to medical services furnished under 
section 171()(a) of title 38, United States Code, on or after the 
effective date of the regulations prescribed by the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs to establish the amounts required to be established 
under paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 1710(g) of that title, as 
amended by subsection (b).". 
38 use 1710 
(d) RATIFICATION.—Any action taken by the Secretary of Vet-
note, 
erans Affairs under section 1710(g) of title 38, United States Code, 
during the period beginning on November 30, 1999, and ending 
on the date of the enactment of this Act is hereby ratified. 
Subtitle D—Construction Authorization 
SEC. 231. AUTHORIZATION OF MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECTS. 
(a) FISCAL YEAR 2001 PROJECTS.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs may carry out the following major medical facility projects, 
with each project to be carried out in an amount not to exceed 
the amount specified for that project: 
(1) Construction of a 120-bed gero-psychiatric facility at 
the Department of Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care 
System, Menlo Park Division, California, $26,600,000. 
(2) Construction of a nursing home at the Department 
of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Beckley, West Virginia, 
$9,500,000. 
(3) Seismic corrections, clinical consolidation, and other 
improvements at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
Center, Long Beach, California, $51,700,000. 
(4) Construction of a utility plant and electrical vault at 
the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, 
Florida, $23,600,000. 
(b) ADDITIONAL FISCAL YEAR 2000 PROJECT.—The Secretary 
is authorized to carry out a project for the renovation of psychiatric 
nursing units at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 
Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in an amount not to exceed $14,000,000. 
SEC. 232. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appropriated to 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the Construction, Major 
Projects, account— 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
114 STAT. 1847 
(1) for fiscal years 2001 and 2002, a total of $87,800,000 
for the projects authorized in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of 
section 231(a); 
(2) for fiscal year 2001, an additional amount of $23,600,000 
for the project authorized in paragraph (4) of that section; 
and 
(3) for fiscal year 2002, an additional amount of $14,500,000 
for the project authorized in section 401(1) of the Veterans 
Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act (Public Law 106-
117; 113 Stat. 1572). 
(b) LIMITATION.—The projects authorized in section 231(a) may 
only be carried out using— 
(1) funds appropriated for fiscal year 2001 or fiscal year 
2002 (or, in the case of the project authorized in section 
231(a)(4), for fiscal year 2001) pursuant to the authorization 
of appropriations in subsection (a); 
(2) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
for a fiscal year before fiscal year 2001 that remain available 
for obligation; and 
(3) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
for fiscal year 2001 or fiscal year 2002 (or, in the case of 
the project authorized in section 231(a)(4), for fiscal year 2001) 
for a category of activity not specific to a project. 
(c) REVISION TO PRIOR LIMITATION.—Notwithstanding 
the 
limitation in section 403(b) of the Veterans Millennium Health 
Care and Benefits Act (PubUc Law 106-117; 113 Stat. 1573), the 
project referred to in subsection (a)(3) may be carried out using— 
(1) funds appropriated for fiscal year 2002 pursuant to 
the authorization of appropriations in subsection (a)(3); 
(2) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
for fiscal year 2001 that remain available for obligation; and 
(3) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
for fiscal year 2001 or fiscal year 2002 for a category of activity 
not specific to a project. 
Subtitle E—Real Property Matters 
SEC. 241. CHANGE TO ENHANCED USE LEASE CONGRESSIONAL 
NOTIFICATION PERIOD. 
Paragraph (2) of section 8163(c) is amended to read as follows: 
"(2) The Secretary may not enter into an enhanced use lease 
until the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date of the 
submission of notice under paragraph (1).". 
SEC. 242. RELEASE OF REVERSIONARY INTEREST OF THE UNITED 
STATES IN CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY PREVIOUSLY CON-
VEYED TO THE STATE OF TENNESSEE. 
(a) RELEASE OF INTEREST.—The Secretary of Veterans Afi"airs 
shall execute such legal instruments as necessary to release the 
reversionary interest of the United States described in subsection 
(h) in a certain parcel of real property conveyed to the State of 
Tennessee pursuant to the Act entitled "An Act authorizing the 
transfer of certain property of the Veterans' Administration (in 
Johnson City, Tennessee) to the State of Tennessee", approved 
June 6, 1953 (67 Stat. 54). 
114 STAT. 1848 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
(b) SPECIFIED REVERSIONARY INTEREST.—Subsection (a) applies 
to the reversionary interest of the United States required under 
section 2 of the Act referred to in subsection (a), requiring use 
of the property conveyed pursuant to that Act to be primarily 
for training of the National Guard and for other military purposes. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 2 of such Act is 
repealed. 
SEC. 243. DEMOLITION, ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP, AND REVERSION 
OF 
DEPARTMENT OF 
VETERANS 
AFFAIRS 
MEDICAL 
CENTER, ALLEN PARK, MICHIGAN. 
(a) AUTHORITY.—(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
enter into a multiyear contract with the Ford Motor Land Develop-
ment Corporation (hereinafter in this section referred to as the 
"Corporation") to undertake project management responsibility to— 
(A) demolish the buildings and auxiliary structures com-
prising the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 
Allen Park, Michigan; and 
(B) remediate the site of all hazardous material and 
environmental contaminants found on the site. 
(2) The contract under paragraph (1) may be entered into 
notwithstanding sections 303 and 304 of the Federal Property and 
Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C. 253, 254). The 
contract shall be for a period specified in the contract not to exceed 
seven years. 
(b) CONTRACT COST AND SOURCE OF FUNDING.—(1) The Sec-
retary may expend no more than $14,000,000 for the contract 
required by subsection (a). The contract shall provide that all costs 
for the demolition and site remediation under the contract in excess 
of $14,000,000 shall be borne by the Corporation. 
(2) Payments by the Secretary under the contract shall be 
made in annual increments of no more than $2,000,000, beginning 
with fiscal year 2001, for the duration of the contract. Such pay-
ments shall be made from the nonrecurring maintenance portion 
of the annual Department of Veterans Affairs medical care appro-
priation. 
(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the amount 
obligated upon the award of the contract may not exceed $2,000,000 
and the amount obligated with respect to any succeeding fiscal 
year may not exceed $2,000,000. Any funds obligated for the contact 
shall be subject to the availability of appropriated funds. 
(c) REVERSION OF PROPERTY.—Upon completion of the demoli-
tion and remediation project under the contract to the satisfaction 
of the Secretary, the Secretary shall, on behalf of the United States, 
formally abandon the Allen Park property (title to which will then 
revert in accordance with the terms of the 1937 deed conveying 
such property to the United States). 
(d) FLAGPOLE AND MEMORIAL.—The contract under subsection 
(a) shall require that the Corporation shall erect and maintain 
on the property abandoned by the United States under subsection 
(c) a flagpole and suitable memorial identifjdng the property as 
the location of the former Allen Park Medical Center. The Secretary 
and the Corporation shall jointly determine the placement of the 
memorial and flagpole and the form of, and appropriate inscription 
on, the memorial. 
(e) ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—The Secretary 
may 
require such additional terms and conditions with regard to the 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
114 STAT. 1849 
contract with the Corporation under subsection (a) and with the 
reversion of the property under subsection (c) as the Secretary 
considers appropriate to protect the interest of the United States. 
SEC. 244. CONVEYANCE OF CERTAIN PROPERTY AT THE CARL VINSON 
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER, 
DUBLIN, GEORGIA. 
(a) CONVEYANCE TO STATE BOARD OF REGENTS.—The Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs shall convey, without consideration, to the Board 
of Regents of the State of Georgia all right, title, and interest 
of the United States in and to two tracts of real property, including 
any improvements thereon, at the Carl Vinson Department of Vet-
erans Affairs Medical Center, Dublin, Georgia, consisting of 39 
acres, more or less, in Laurens County, Georgia. 
(b) CONVEYANCE TO COMMUNITY SERVICE BOARD OF MIDDLE 
GEORGIA.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall convey, without 
consideration, to the Community Service Board of Middle Georgia 
all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to three 
tracts of real property, including any improvements thereon, at 
the Carl Vinson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 
Dublin, Georgia, consisting of 58 acres, more or less, in Laurens 
County, Georgia. 
(c) CONDITIONS ON CONVEYANCE.—The conveyance under sub-
section (a) shall be subject to the condition that the real property 
conveyed under that subsection be used in perpetuity solely for 
education purposes. The conveyance under subsection (b) shall be 
subject to the condition that the real property conveyed under 
that subsection be used in perpetuity solely for education and 
health care purposes. 
(d) SURVEY.—The exact acreage and legal description of the 
real property to be conveyed under this section shall be determined 
by a survey or surveys satisfactory to the Secretary of Veterans 
Mfairs. The cost of any such survey shall not be borne by the 
Secretary. 
(e) ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—The Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs may require such additional terms and conditions 
in connection with the conveyances under this section as the Sec-
retary considers appropriate to protect the interests of the United 
States. 
SEC. 245. LAND CONVEYANCE, MILES CITY DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER COMPLEX, MILES CITY, 
MONTANA. 
(a) CONVEYANCE REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall convey, without consideration, to Custer County, Montana 
(in this section referred to as the "County"), all right, title, and 
interest of the United States in and to the parcels of real property 
consisting of the Miles City Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
Center complex, which has served as a medical and support complex 
for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Miles City, Montana. 
(b) TIMING OF CONVEYANCE.—The conveyance required by sub-
section (a) shall be made as soon as practicable after the date 
of the enactment of this Act. 
(c) CONDITIONS OF CONVEYANCE.—The conveyance required by 
subsection (a) shall be subject to the condition that the County— 
(1) use the parcels conveyed, whether directly or through 
an agreement with a public or private entity, for veterans 
114 STAT. 1850 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
activities, community and economic development, or such other 
pubHc purposes as the County considers appropriate; or 
(2) convey the parcels to an appropriate public or private 
entity for use for the purposes specified in paragraph (1). 
(d) CONVEYANCE OF IMPROVEMENTS.—(1) As part of the convey-
ance required by subsection (a), the Secretary may also convey 
to the County any improvements, equipment, fixtures, and other 
personal property located on the parcels conveyed under that sub-
section that are not required by the Secretary. 
(2) Any conveyance under this subsection shall be without 
consideration. 
(e) USE PENDING CONVEYANCE.—Until such time as the real 
property to be conveyed under subsection (a) is conveyed by deed 
under this section, the Secretary may continue to lease the real 
property, together with any improvements thereon, under the terms 
and conditions of the current lease of the real property. 
if) MAINTENANCE PENDING CONVEYANCE.—The Secretary shall 
be responsible for maintaining the real property to be conveyed 
under subsection (a), and any improvements, equipment, fixtures, 
and other personal property to be conveyed under subsection (d), 
in its condition as of the date of the enactment of this Act until 
such time as the real property, and such improvements, equipment, 
fixtures, and other personal property are conveyed by deed under 
this section. 
(g) LEGAL DESCRIPTION.—The exact acreage and legal descrip-
tion of the real property to be conveyed under subsection (a) shall 
be determined by a survey satisfactory to the Secretary. 
(h) ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—The Secretary may 
require such additional terms and conditions in connection with 
the conveyance under this section as the Secretary determines 
appropriate to protect the interests of the United States. 
SEC. 246. CONVEYANCE OF FORT LYON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER, COLORADO, TO THE STATE 
OF COLORADO. 
(a) CONVEYANCE AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs may convey, without consideration, to the State of Colorado 
all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to a parcel 
of real property, including improvements thereon, consisting of 
approximately 512 acres and comprising the Fort Lyon Department 
of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The purpose of the conveyance 
is to permit the State of Colorado to use the property for purposes 
of a correctional facility. 
(b) PUBLIC ACCESS.—(1) The Secretary may not make the 
conveyance of real property authorized by subsection (a) unless 
the State of Colorado agrees to provide appropriate public access 
to Kit Carson Chapel (located on that real property) and the ceme-
tery located adjacent to that real property. 
(2) The State of Colorado may satisfy the condition specified 
in paragraph (1) with respect to Kit Carson Chapel by relocating 
the chapel to Fort Lyon National Cemetery, Colorado, or another 
appropriate location approved by the Secretary. 
(c) PLAN REGARDING CONVEYANCE.—(1) The Secretary may not 
make the conveyance authorized by subsection (a) before the date 
on which the Secretary implements a plan providing the following: 
(A) Notwithstanding sections 1720(a)(3) and 1741 of title 
38, United States Code, that veterans who are receiving 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
114 STAT. 1851 
inpatient or institutional long-term care at Fort Lyon Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs Medical Center as of the date of 
the enactment of this Act are provided appropriate inpatient 
or institutional long-term care under the same terms and condi-
tions as such veterans are receiving inpatient or institutional 
long-term care as of that date. 
(B) That the conveyance of the Fort Lyon Department 
of Veterans Affairs Medical Center does not result in a reduc-
tion of health care services available to veterans in the 
catchment area of the Medical Center. 
(C) Improvements in veterans' overall access to health care 
in the catchment area through, for example, the opening of 
additional outpatient clinics. 
(2) The Secretary shall prepare the plan referred to in para-
graph (1) in consultation with appropriate representatives of vet-
erans service organizations and other appropriate organizations. 
(3) The Secretary shall publish a copy of the plan referred 
Publication. 
to in paragraph (1) before implementation of the plan. 
(d) ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION.—The Secretary may not 
make the conveyance authorized by subsection (a) until the Sec-
retary completes the evaluation and performance of any environ-
mental restoration activities required by the Comprehensive 
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 
(42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.), and by any other provision of law. 
(e) PERSONAL PROPERTY.—As part of the conveyance authorized 
by subsection (a), the Secretary may convey, without consideration, 
to the State of Colorado any furniture, fixtures, equipment, and 
other personal property associated with the property conveyed 
under that subsection that the Secretary determines is not required 
for purposes of the Department of Veterans Affairs health care 
facilities to be established by the Secretary in southern Colorado 
or for purposes of Fort Lyon National Cemetery. 
(f) LEGAL DESCRIPTION.—The exact acreage and legal descrip-
tion of the real property to be conveyed under subsection (a) shall 
be determined by a survey satisfactory to the Secretary. Any costs 
associated with the survey shall be borne by the State of Colorado. 
(g) ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—The Secretary may 
require such other terms and conditions in connection with the 
conveyances authorized by subsections (a) and (e) as the Secretary 
considers appropriate to protect the interests of the United States. 
SEC. 247. 
EFFECT 
OF 
CLOSURE 
OF 
FORT 
LYON 
DEPARTMENT 
OF 
VET-
ERANS 
AFFAIRS 
MEDICAL 
CENTER 
ON 
ADMINISTRATION 
OF 
HEALTH 
CARE 
FOR 
VETERANS. 
(a) PAYMENT FOR NURSING HOME CARE.—Notwithstanding any 
limitation under section 1720 or 1741 of title 38, United States 
Code, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may pay the State of Colo-
rado, or any private nursing home care facility, for costs incurred 
in providing nursing home care to any veteran who is relocated 
from the Fort Lyon Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 
Colorado, to a facility of the State of Colorado or such private 
facility, as the case may be, as a result of the closure of the 
Fort Lyon Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. 
(b) OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE 
EXTENDED CARE 
SERVICES.— 
Nothing in section 246 or this section may be construed to alter 
or otherwise affect the obligation of the Secretary to meet the 
requirements of section 1710B(b) of title 38, United States Code, 
114 STAT. 1852 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
relating to staffing and levels of extended care services in fiscal 
years after fiscal year 1998. 
(c) REPORT ON VETERANS HEALTH CARE IN SOUTHERN COLO-
RADO.—Not later than one year after the conveyance, if any, author-
ized by section 246, the Under Secretary for Health of the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs, acting through the Director of Veterans 
Integrated Service Network (VISN) 19, shall submit to the Commit-
tees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representa-
tives a report on the status of the health care system for veterans 
under that Network in southern Colorado. The report shall describe 
£uiy improvements to the system in southern Colorado that have 
been put into effect in the period beginning on the date of the 
conveyance and ending on the date of the report. 
TITLE 
III—COMPENSATION, 
INSUR-
ANCE, HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, AND 
MEMORIAL AFFAIRS PROVISIONS 
Subtitle A—Compensation Program 
Changes 
SEC. 301. STROKES AND HEART ATTACKS INCURRED OR AGGRAVATED 
BY 
MEMBERS 
OF 
RESERVE 
COMPONENTS 
IN 
THE 
PERFORMANCE OF DUTY WHILE PERFORMING INACTIVE 
DUTY TRAINING TO BE CONSIDERED TO BE SERVICE-CON-
NECTED. 
(a) 
SCOPE 
OF 
TERM 
"ACTIVE 
MILITARY, NAVAL, OR 
AIR 
SERVICE".—Section 101(24) is amended to read as follows: 
"(24) The term 'active military, naval, or air service' includes— 
"(A) active duty; 
"(B) any period of active duty for training during which 
the individual concerned was disabled or died from a disease 
or injury incurred or aggravated in line of duty; and 
"(C) any period of inactive duty training during which 
the individual concerned was disabled or died— 
"(i) from an injury incurred or aggravated in line of 
duty; or 
"(ii) from an acute myocardial infarction, a cardiac 
arrest, or a cerebrovascular accident occurring during such 
training.". 
(b) TRAVEL TO OR FROM TRAINING DUTY.—Section 106(d) is 
amended— 
(1) by inserting "(1)" after "(d)"; 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subpara-
graphs (A) and (B), respectively; 
(3) by inserting "or covered disease" after "injury" each 
place it appears; 
(4) by designating the second sentence as paragraph (2); 
(5) by designating the third sentence as paragraph (3); 
and 
(6) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
"(4) For purposes of this subsection, the term 'covered disease' 
megms any of the following: 
"(A) Acute myocardial infarction. 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
114 STAT. 1853 
"(B) 
A cardiac 
arrest. 
"(C) 
A cerebrovascular accident.". 
SEC. 302. SPECIAL MONTHLY COMPENSATION FOR WOMEN VETERANS 
WHO LOSE A BREAST AS A RESULT OF A SERVICE-CON-
NECTED DISABILITY. 
Section 1114(k) is amended— 
(1) by striking "or has suffered" and inserting "has suf-
fered"; and 
(2) by inserting after "air and bone conduction," the fol-
lowing: "or, in the case of a woman veteran, has suffered 
the anatomical loss of one or both breasts (including loss by 
mastectomy),". 
SEC. 303. BENEFITS FOR PERSONS DISABLED BY PARTICIPATION IN 
COMPENSATED WORK THERAPY PROGRAM. 
Section 1151(a)(2) is amended— 
(1) by inserting "(A)" after "proximately caused"; and 
(2) by inserting before the period at the end the following: 
", or (B) by participation in a program (known as a 'compensated 
work therapy program') under section 1718 of this title". 
SEC. 304. REVISION TO LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS OF BENEFITS TO 
INCOMPETENT INSTITUTIONALIZED VETERANS. 
Section 5503(b)(1) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)— 
(A) by striking "$1,500" and inserting "the amount 
equal to five times the section 1114(j) rate"; and 
(B) by striking "$500" and inserting "one-half that 
amount"; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
"(D) For purposes of this paragraph, the term 'section 1114(j) 
rate' means the monthly rate of compensation in effect under section 
1114(j) of this title for a veteran with a service-connected disability 
rated as total.". 
SEC. 305. REVIEW OF DOSE RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM OF THE 
38USC1154 
DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY. 
note 
(a) REVIEW BY NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.—Not later 
than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary of Defense shall enter into a contract with the National 
Academy of Sciences to carry out periodic reviews of the program 
of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency of the Department of 
Defense known as the "dose reconstruction program". 
(b) REVIEW ACTIVITIES.—The periodic reviews of the dose 
reconstruction program under the contract under subsection (a) 
shall consist of the periodic selection of random samples of doses 
reconstructed by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency in order 
to determine— 
(1) whether or not the reconstruction of the sampled doses 
is accurate; 
(2) whether or not the reconstructed dosage number is 
accurately reported; 
(3) whether or not the assumptions made regarding radi-
ation exposure based upon the sampled doses are credible; 
and 
114 STAT. 1854 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
(4) whether or not the data from nuclear tests used by 
the Defense Threat Reduction Agency as part of the reconstruc-
tion of the sampled doses is accurate. 
(c) DURATION OF REVIEW.—The periodic reviews under the con-
tract under subsection (a) shall occur over a period of 24 months. 
Deadline. 
(d) REPORT.—(1) Not later than 60 days after the conclusion 
of the period referred to in subsection (c), the National Academy 
of Sciences shall submit to Congress a report on its activities 
luider the contract under this section. 
(2) The report shall include the following: 
(A) A detailed description of the activities of the National 
Academy of Sciences under the contract. 
(B) Any recommendations that the National Academy of 
Sciences considers appropriate regarding a permanent system 
of review of the dose reconstruction program of the Defense 
Threat Reduction Agency. 
Subtitle B—Life Insurance Matters 
38 u s e 1967 
note. 
SEC. 311. 
PREMIUMS FOR TERM SERVICE DISABLED VETERANS' 
INSURANCE 
FOR 
VETERANS 
OLDER 
THAN 
AGE 
70. 
(a) CAP ON PREMIUMS.—Section 1922 is amended by adding 
at the end the following new subsection: 
"(c) The premium rate of any term insurance issued under 
this section shall not exceed the renewal age 70 premium rate.". 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than September 30, 2001, the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report setting forth 
a plan to liquidate the unfunded liability under the life insurance 
program under section 1922 of title 38, United States Code, not 
later than October 1, 2011. 
SEC. 312. INCREASE IN AUTOMATIC MAXIMUM COVERAGE UNDER 
SERVICEMEMBERS' GROUP LIFE INSURANCE AND VET-
ERANS' GROUP LIFE INSURANCE. 
(a) MAXIMUM UNDER SERVICEMEMBERS' GROUP LIFE INSUR-
ANCE.—Section 1967 is amended in subsections (a), (c), and (d) 
by striking "$200,000" each place it appears and 
inserting 
"$250,000". 
(b) MAXIMUM UNDER VETERANS' GROUP LIFE INSURANCE.—Sec-
tion 1977(a) is amended by striking "$200,000" each place it appears 
and inserting "$250,000". 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 
shall take effect on the first day of the first month that begins 
more than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 313. ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE INDIVIDUAL 
READY RESERVE FOR SERVICEMEMBERS' GROUP LIFE 
INSURANCE. 
(a) ELIGIBILITY.—-Section 1965(5) is amended— 
(1) by striking "and" at the end of subparagraph (B); 
(2) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph 
(D); and 
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new 
subparagraph (C): 
"(C) a person who volunteers for assignment to a 
mobilization category in the Individual Ready Reserve, as 
defined in section 12304(i)(l) of title 10; and". 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
114 STAT. 1855 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Sections 1967(a), 1968(a), and 
1969(a)(2)(A) are amended by striking "section 1965(5)(B) of this 
title" each place it appears and inserting "subparagraph (B) or 
(C) of section 1965(5) of this title". 
Subtitle C—Housing and Employment 
Programs 
SEC. 321. ELIMINATION OF REDUCTION IN ASSISTANCE FOR SPE-
CIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING FOR DISABLED VETERANS FOR 
VETERANS 
HAVING 
JOINT 
OWNERSHIP 
OF HOUSING 
UNITS. 
Section 2102 is amended by adding at the end the following 
new subsection: 
"(c) The amount of assistance afforded under subsection (a) 
for a veteran authorized assistance by section 2101(a) of this title 
shall not be reduced by reason that title to the housing unit, 
which is vested in the veteran, is also vested in any other person, 
if the veteran resides in the housing unit.". 
SEC. 322. VETERANS EMPLOYMENT EMPHASIS UNDER FEDERAL CON-
TRACTS FOR RECENTLY SEPARATED VETERANS. 
(a) EMPLOYMENT EMPHASIS.—Subsection (a) of section 4212 
is amended in the first sentence by inserting "recently separated 
veterans," after "veterans of the Vietnam era,". 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Subsection (d)(1) of that sec-
tion is amended by inserting "recently separated veterans," after 
"veterans of the Vietnam era," each place it appears in subpara-
graphs (A) and (B). 
(c) RECENTLY SEPARATED VETERAN DEFINED.—Section 4211 is 
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
"(6) The term 'recently separated veteran' means any veteran 
during the one-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's 
discharge or release from active duty.". 
SEC. 323. EMPLOYERS REQUIRED TO GRANT LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR 
EMPLOYEES TO PARTICIPATE IN HONOR GUARDS FOR 
FUNERALS OF VETERANS. 
(a) DEFINITION OF SERVICE IN THE UNIFORMED SERVICES.— 
Section 4303(13) is amended— 
(1) by striking "and" after "National Guard duty"; and 
(2) by inserting before the period at the end ", and a 
period for which a person is absent from employment for the 
purpose of performing funeral honors duty as authorized by 
section 12503 of title 10 or section 115 of title 32.". 
(b) REQUIRED LEAVE OF ABSENCE.—Section 4316 is amended 
by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
"(e)(1) An employer shall grant an employee who is a member 
of a reserve component an authorized leave of absence from a 
position of employment to allow that employee to perform funeral 
honors duty as authorized by section 12503 of title 10 or section 
115 of title 32. 
"(2) For purposes of section 4312(e)(1) of this title, an employee 
who takes an authorized leave of absence under paragraph (1) 
is deemed to have notified the employer of the employee's intent 
to return to such position of employment.". 
114 STAT. 1856 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
38 use 4303 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by subsections 
note. 
(a) and (b) shall take effect 180 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
Subtitle D—Cemeteries and Memorial 
Affairs 
SEC. 331. ELIGIBILITY FOR INTERMENT OF CERTAIN FILIPINO VET-
ERANS OF WORLD WAR II IN NATIONAL CEMETERIES. 
(a) 
ELIGIBILITY 
OF 
CERTAIN 
COMMONWEALTH 
ARMY 
VET-
ERANS.—Section 2402 is amended by adding at the end the following 
new paragraph: 
"(8) Any individual whose service is described in section 
107(a) of this title if such individual at the time of death— 
"(A) was a citizen of the United States or an alien 
lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United 
States; and 
"(B) resided in the United States.". 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 107(a)(3) is amended 
to read as follows: 
"(3) chapters 11, 13 (except section 1312(a)), 23, and 24 
(to the extent provided for in section 2402(8)) of this title.". 
38 use 107 note. 
(c) APPLICABILITY.—The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to deaths occurring on or after the date of 
the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 332. PAYMENT RATE OF CERTAIN BURIAL BENEFITS FOR CER-
TAIN FILIPINO VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II. 
(a) PAYMENT RATE.—Section 107 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking "Payments" and inserting 
"Subject to subsection (c), payments"; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new section: 
"(c)(1) In the case of an individual described in paragraph 
(2), the second sentence of subsection (a) shall not apply. 
"(2) Paragraph (1) applies to any individual whose service is 
described in subsection (a) and who dies after the date of the 
enactment of this subsection if the individual, on the individual's 
date of death— 
"(A) is a citizen of, or an alien lawfully admitted for perma-
nent residence in, the United States; 
"(B) is residing in the United States; and 
"(C) either— 
"(i) is receiving compensation under chapter 11 of this 
title; or 
"(ii) if the individual's service had been deemed to 
be active military, naval, or air service, would have been 
paid pension under section 1521 of this title without denial 
or discontinuance by reason of section 1522 of this title.". 
38 use 107 note. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—No benefits shall accrue to any person for 
any period before the date of the enactment of this Act by reason 
of the amendments made by subsection (a). 
SEC. 333. PLOT ALLOWANCE FOR BURIAL IN STATE VETERANS CEME-
TERIES. 
(a) I N GENERAL.—Section 2303(b)(1)(A) is amended to read 
as follows: "(A) is used solely for the interment of persons who 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
114 STAT. 1857 
are (i) eligible for burial in a national cemetery, and (ii) members 
of a reserve component of the Armed Forces not otherwise eligible 
for such burial or former members of such a reserve component 
not otherwise eligible for such burial who are discharged or released 
from service under conditions other than dishonorable, and". 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 38 use 2303 
shall apply with respect to the burial of persons dying on or after ^°^^-
the date of the enactment of this Act. 
TITLE IV—OTHER MATTERS 
SEC. 401. BENEFITS FOR THE CHILDREN OF WOMEN VIETNAM VET-
ERANS WHO SUFFER FROM CERTAIN BIRTH DEFECTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 18 is amended by adding at the 
end the following new subchapter: 
"SUBCHAPTER II—CHILDREN OF WOMEN VIETNAM 
VETERANS BORN WITH CERTAIN BIRTH DEFECTS 
"§1811. Definitions 
"In this subchapter: 
"(1) The term 'eligible child' means an individual who— 
"(A) is the child (as defined in section 1821(1) of this 
title) of a woman Vietnam veteran; and 
"(B) was born with one or more covered birth defects. 
"(2) The term 'covered birth defect' means a birth defect 
identified by the Secretary under section 1812 of this title. 
"§1812. Covered birth defects 
"(a) IDENTIFICATION.—The Secretary shall identify the birth 
defects of children of women Vietnam veterans that— 
"(1) are associated with the service of those veterans in 
the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam era; and 
"(2) result in permanent physical or mental disability. 
"(b) LIMITATIONS.—(1) The birth defects identified under sub-
section (a) may not include birth defects resulting from the fol-
lowing: 
"(A) A familial disorder. 
"(B) A birth-related injury. 
"(C) A fetal or neonatal infirmity with well-established 
causes. 
"(2) In any case where affirmative evidence establishes that 
a covered birth defect of a child of a woman Vietnam veteran 
results fi-om a cause other than the active military, naval, or air 
service of that veteran in the Republic of Vietnam during the 
Vietnam era, no benefits or assistance may be provided the child 
under this subchapter. 
"§1813. Healthcare 
"(a) NEEDED CARE.—The Secretary shall provide an eligible 
child such health care as the Secretary determines is needed by 
the child for that child's covered birth defects or any disability 
that is associated with those birth defects. 
114 STAT. 1858 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
"(b) AUTHORITY FOR CARE TO BE PROVIDED DIRECTLY OR BY 
CONTRACT.—The Secretary may provide health care under this sec-
tion directly or by contract or other arrangement with a health 
care provider. 
"(c) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section, the definitions 
in section 1803(c) of this title shall apply with respect to the 
provision of health care under this section, except that for such 
purposes— 
"(1) the reference to 'specialized spina bifida clinic' in para-
graph (2) of that section shall be treated as a reference to 
a specialized clinic treating the birth defect concerned under 
this section; and 
"(2) the reference to 'vocational training under section 1804 
of this title' in paragraph (8) of that section shall be treated 
as a reference to vocational training under section 1814 of 
this title. 
"§ 1814. Vocational training 
"(a) AUTHORITY.—The Secretary may provide a program of voca-
tional training to an eligible child if the Secretary determines 
that the achievement of a vocational goal by the child is reasonably 
feasible. 
"(b) APPLICABLE PROVISIONS.—Subsections (b) through (e) of 
section 1804 of this title shall apply with respect to any program 
of vocational training provided under subsection (a). 
^
*
§ 1815. Monetary allowance 
"(a) 
MONETARY 
ALLOWANCE.—The Secretary shall pay a 
monthly allowance to any eligible child for any disability resulting 
from the covered birth defects of that child. 
"(b) SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES.—(1) The amount of 
the monthly allowance paid under this section shall be based on 
the degree of disability suffered by the child concerned, as deter-
mined in accordance with a schedule for rating disabilities resulting 
from covered birth defects that is prescribed by the Secretary. 
"(2) In prescribing a schedule for rating disabilities for the 
purposes of this section, the Secretary shall establish four levels 
of disability upon which the amount of the allowance provided 
by this section shall be based. The levels of disability established 
may take into account functional limitations, including limitations 
on cognition, communication, motor abilities, activities of daily 
living, and employ 
ability. 
"(c) AMOUNT OF MONTHLY ALLOWANCE.—The amount of the 
monthly allowance paid under this section shall be as follows: 
"(1) In the case of a child suffering from the lowest level 
of disalDility prescribed in the schedule for rating disabilities 
under subsection (b), $100. 
"(2) In the case of a child suffering from the lower inter-
mediate level of disability prescribed in the schedule for rating 
disabilities under subsection (b), the greater of— 
"(A) $214; or 
"(B) the monthly amount payable under 
section 
1805(b)(3) of this title for the lowest level of disability 
prescribed for purposes of that section. 
"(3) In the case of a child suffering from the higher inter-
mediate level of disability prescribed in the schedule for rating 
disabilities under subsection (b), the greater o
f
— 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
114 STAT. 1859 
"(A) $743; or 
"(B) the monthly amount payable under 
section 
1805(bX3) of this title for the intermediate level of disability 
prescribed for purposes of that section. 
"(4) In the case of a child suffering from the highest level 
of disability prescribed in the schedule for rating disabilities 
under subsection (b), the greater o
f
— 
"(A) $1,272; or 
"(B) the monthly amount payable under 
section 
1805(b)(3) of this title for the highest level of disability 
prescribed for purposes of that section. 
"(d) 
INDEXING TO SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT INCREASES.— 
Amounts under paragraphs (1), (2)(A), (3)(A), and (4)(A) of sub-
section (c) shall be subject to adjustment from time to time under 
section 5312 of this title. 
"§1816. Regulations 
"The Secretary shall prescribe regulations for purposes of the 
administration of this subchapter.". 
(b) CONSOLIDATION OF PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO BOTH SUB-
CHAPTERS.—Chapter 18 is further amended by adding after sub-
chapter II, as added by subsection (a), the following new subchapter: 
"SUBCHAPTER III—GENERAL PROVISIONS 
' 
"§ 1821. Definitions 
"In this chapter: 
"(1) The term 'child' means an individual, regardless of 
age or marital status, who— 
"(A) is the natural child of a Vietnam veteran; and 
"(B) was conceived after the date on which that veteran 
first entered the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam 
era. 
"(2) The term 'Vietnam veteran' means an individual who 
performed active military, naval, or air service in the Republic 
of Vietnam during the Vietnam era, without regard to the 
characterization of that individual's service. 
"(3) The term Vietnam era' with respect to— 
"(A) subchapter I of this chapter, means the period 
beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975; 
and 
"(B) subchapter II of this chapter, means the period 
beginning on February 28, 1961, and ending on May 7, 
1975. 
"§ 1822. Applicability of certain administrative provisions 
"(a) APPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS RELATING TO COM-
PENSATION.—The provisions of this title specified in subsection (b) 
apply with respect to benefits and assistance under this chapter 
in the same manner as those provisions apply to compensation 
paid under chapter 11 of this title. 
"(b) SPECIFIED PROVISIONS.—The provisions of this title referred 
to in subsection (a) are the following: 
"(1) Section 5101(c). 
"(2) Subsections (a), (b)(2), (g), and (i) of section 5110. 
"(3) Section 5111. 
114 STAT. 1860 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
"(4) Subsection (a) and paragraphs (1), (6), (9), and (10) 
of subsection (b) of section 5112. 
"§ 1823. Treatment of receipt of monetary allowance and 
other benefits 
"(a) 
COORDINATION 
WITH 
OTHER 
BENEFITS 
PAID TO THE 
RECIPIENT.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, receipt 
by an individual of a monetary allowance under this chapter shall 
not impair, infringe, or otherwise affect the right of the individual 
to receive any other benefit to which the individual is otherwise 
entitled under any law administered by the Secretary. 
"(b) COORDINATION WITH BENEFITS BASED ON RELATIONSHIP 
OF RECIPIENTS.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
receipt by an individual of a monetary allowance under this chapter 
shall not impair, infringe, or otherwise affect the right of any 
other individual to receive any benefit to which such other indi-
vidual is entitled imder any law administered by the Secretary 
based on the relationship of such other individual to the individual 
who receives such monetary allowance. 
"(c) MONETARY ALLOWANCE NOT TO B E CONSIDERED AS INCOME 
O
R RESOURCES FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, a monetary allowance paid an individual under 
this chapter shall not be considered as income or resources in 
determining eligibility for, or the amount of benefits under, any 
Federal or federally assisted program. 
"§ 1824. Nonduplication of benefits 
"(a) MONETARY ALLOWANCE.—In the case of an ehgible child 
under subchapter II of this chapter whose only covered birth defect 
is spina bifida, a monetary allowance shall be paid under subchapter 
I of this chapter. In the case of an eligible child under subchapter 
II of this chapter who has spina bifida and one or more additional 
covered birth defects, a monetary allowance shall be paid under 
subchapter II of this chapter. 
"(b) VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION.—An individual may only be 
provided one program of vocational training under this chapter.". 
(c) REPEAL OF RECODIFIED PROVISIONS.—The following provi-
sions are repealed: 
(1) Section 1801. 
(2) Subsections (c) and (d) of section 1805. 
(3) Section 1806. 
(d) DESIGNATION OF SUBCHAPTER I.—Chapter 18 is further 
amended by inserting before section 1802 the following: 
"SUBCHAPTER I—CHILDREN OF VIETNAM VETERANS BORN 
WITH SPINA BIFIDA". 
(e) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—(1) Section 1802 is amended 
by striking "this chapter" and inserting "this subchapter". 
(2) Section 1805(a) is amended by striking "this chapter" and 
inserting "this section". 
(f) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—(1) The chapter heading of chapter 
18 is amended to read as follows: 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
114 STAT. 1861 
"CHAPTER 18—BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN OF VIETNAM 
VETERANS". 
(2) The tables of chapters before part I, and at the beginning 
of part II, are each amended by striking the item relating to 
chapter 18 and inserting the following new item: 
"18. Benefits for Children of Vietnam Veterans 
1802". 
(3) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 18 is 
amended— 
(A) by inserting at the beginning the following: 
"SUBCHAPTER I—CHILDREN OF VIETNAM VETERANS BORN WITH SPINA 
BIFIDA"; 
(B) by striking the items relating to sections 1801 and 
1806; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
"SUBCHAPTER II—CHILDREN OF WOMEN VIETNAM VETERANS BORN WITH 
CERTAIN BIRTH DEFECTS 
"1811. Definitions. 
"1812. Covered birth defects. 
"1813. Health care. 
"1814. Vocational training. 
"1815. Monetary allowance. 
"1816. Regulations. 
"SUBCHAPTER III—GENERAL PROVISIONS 
"1821. Definitions. 
"1822. Applicability of certain administrative provisions. 
"1823. Treatment of receipt of monetary allowance and other benefits. 
"1824. Nonduplication of benefits.". 
(g) EFFECTIVE DATE.—(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), 38 USC 1811 
the amendments made by this section shall take effect on the "^o^e. 
first day of the first month beginning more than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(2) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall identify birth defects 
under section 1812 of title 38, United States Code (as added by 
subsection (a) of this section), and shall prescribe the regulations 
required by subchapter II of chapter 18 of that title (as so added), 
not later than the effective date specified in paragraph (1). 
SEC. 402. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN EXPIRING AUTHORITIES. 
(a) 
ENHANCED 
LOAN 
ASSET 
SALE 
AUTHORITY.—Section 
3720(h)(2) is amended by striking "December 31, 2002" and 
inserting "December 31, 2008". 
(b) HOME LOAN FEES.—Section 3729 is amended by striking 
everything after the section heading and inserting the following: 
"(a) REQUIREMENT OF FEE.—(1) Except as provided in sub-
section (c), a fee shall be collected from each person obtaining 
a housing loan guaranteed, insured, or made under this chapter, 
and each person assuming a loan to which section 3714 of this 
title applies. No such loan may be guaranteed, insured, made, 
or assumed until the fee payable under this section has been 
remitted to the Secretary. 
"(2) The fee may be included in the loan and paid from the 
proceeds thereof. 
"(b) DETERMINATION OF FEE.—(1) The amount of the fee shall 
be determined from the loan fee table in paragraph (2). The fee 
114 STAT. 1862 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
is expressed as a percentage of the total amount of the loan guaran-
teed, insured, or made, or, in the case of a loan assumption, the 
unpaid principal balance of the loan on the date of the transfer 
of the property. 
"(2) The loan fee table referred to in paragraph (1) is as follows: 
"LOAN FEE TABLE 
Type of loan 
(A)(i) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) to pur-
chase or construct a dwelling with 0-down, or amy 
other initial loan described in section 3710(a) other 
than with 5-down or 10-down (closed before Octo-
ber 1, 2008) 
(A)(ii) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) to pur-
chase or construct a dwelling with 0-down, or any 
other initial loan described in section 3710(a) other 
than with 5-down or 10-down (closed on or after 
October 1, 2008) 
(B)(i) Subsequent loan described in section 3710(a) to 
purchase or construct a dwelling with 0-down, or 
any other subsequent loan described in section 
3710(a) (closed before October 1, 2008) 
(B)(ii) Subsequent loan described in section 3710(a) 
to purchase or construct a dwelling with 0-down, or 
any other subsequent loan described in section 
3710(a) (closed on or after October 1, 2008) 
(CXi) Loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase 
or construct a dwelling with 5-down (closed before 
October 1, 2008) 
(CXii) Loan described in section 371(Ka) to purchase 
or construct a dwelling with 5-down (closed on or 
after October 1, 2008) 
(DXi) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) to pur-
chase or construct a dwelling with 10-down (closed 
before October 1, 2008) 
(D)(ii) Initial loan described in section 371(Xa) to pur-
chase or construct a dwelling with 10-down (closed 
on or after October 1, 2008) 
(G) Manufactured home loan vinder section 3712 
(other than an interest rate reduction refinancing 
(H) Loan to Native American veteran under section 
3762 (other than an interest rate reduction refi-
nancing loan) 
Active duty 
veteran 
2.00 
1.25 
3.00 
1.25 
1.50 
0.75 
1.25 
0.50 
0.50 
1.00 
1.00 
1.25 
0.50 
2.25 
Reservist 
2.75 
2.00 
3.00 
2.00 
2.25 
1.50 
2.00 
1.25 
0.50 
1.00 
1.00 
1.25 
0.50 
2.25 
Other obligor 
NA 
NA 
NA 
NA 
NA 
NA 
NA 
NA 
NA 
NA 
NA 
NA 
0.50 
2.25". 
"(3) Any reference to a section in the Type of loan' column 
in the loan fee table in paragraph (2) refers to a section of this 
title. 
"(4) For the purposes of paragraph (2): 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
114 STAT. 1863 
"(A) The term 'active duty veteran' means any veteran 
eligible for the benefits of this chapter other than a Reservist. 
"(B) The term 'Reservist' means a veteran described in 
section 3701(b)(5)(A) of this title. 
"(C) The term 'other obligor' means a person who is not 
a veteran, as defined in section 101 of this title or other provi-
sion of this chapter. 
"(D) The term 'initial loan' means a loan to a veteran 
guaranteed under section 3710 or made under section 3711 
of this title if the veteran has never obtained a loan guaranteed 
under section 3710 or made under section 3711 of this title. 
"(E) The term 'subseqi/ent loan' means a loan to a veteran, 
other than an interest rate reduction refinancing loan, guaran-
teed under section 3710 or made under section 3711 of this 
title if the veteran has previously obtained a loan guaranteed 
under section 3710 or made under section 3711 of this title. 
"(F) The term 'interest rate reduction refinancing loan' 
means a loan described in section 3710(a)(8), 3710(a)(9)(B)(i), 
3710(a)(ll), 3712(a)(1)(F), or 3762(h) of this title. 
"(G) The term '0-down' means a downpajnnent, if any, 
of less than 5 percent of the total purchase price or construction 
cost of the dwelling. 
"(H) The term '5-down' means a downpayment of at least 
5 percent or more, but less than 10 percent, of the total pur-
chase price or construction cost of the dwelling. 
"(I) The term '10-down' means a downpayment of 10 percent 
or more of the total purchase price or construction cost of 
the dwelling. 
"(c) WAIVER OF FEE.—A fee may not be collected under this 
section from a veteran who is receiving compensation (or who, 
but for the receipt of retirement pay, would be entitled to receive 
compensation) or from a surviving spouse of any veteran (including 
a person who died in the active military, naval, or air service) 
who died firom a service-connected disability.". 
(c) 
PROCEDURES 
APPLICABLE 
TO 
LIQUIDATION 
SALES 
ON 
DEFAULTED HOME LOANS GUARANTEED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS.—Section 3732(c)(ll) is amended by striking 
"October 1, 2002" and inserting "October 1, 2008". 
(d) 
INCOME 
VERIFICATION 
AUTHORITY.—Section 5317(g) 
is 
amended by striking "September 30, 2002" and inserting "Sep-
tember 30, 2008". 
(e) LIMITATION ON PENSION FOR CERTAIN RECIPIENTS OF MED-
ICAID-COVERED NURSiNG HOME 
CARE.—Section 
5503(D(7) 
is 
amended by striking "September 30, 2002" and inserting "Sep-
tember 30, 2008". 
(f) ANNUAL REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON MENTALLY I I I 
VET-
ERANS.—Section 7321(d)(2) is amended by striking "three" and 
inserting "six". 
(g) AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH RESEARCH AND EDUCATION COR-
PORATIONS.—Section 7368 is amended by striking "December 31, 
2000" and inserting "December 31, 2003". 
SEC. 403. PRESERVATION OF CERTAIN REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) INAPPLICABILITY OF PRIOR REPORTS TERMINATION PROVISION 
3I use 1113 
TO CERTAIN REPORTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.— note. 
Section 3003(a)(1) of the Federal Reports Elimination and Sunset 
Act of 1995 (31 U.S.C. 1113 note) does not apply to any report 
114 STAT. 1864 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
required to be submitted under any of the following: sections 503(c), 
529, 541(c), 542(c), 3036, and 7312(d) of title 38, United States 
Code. 
(b) 
REPEAL OF REPORTING REQUIREMENTS TERMINATED BY 
PRIOR LAW.—Sections 8111A(f) and 8201(h) are repealed. 
(c) SUNSET OF CERTAIN REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) ANNUAL REPORT ON EQUITABLE RELIEF CASES.—Section 
503(c) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
sentence: "No report shall be required under this subsection 
after December 31, 2004.". 
(2) BIENNIAL REPORT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON FORMER 
PRISONERS OF WAR.—Section 541(c)(1) is amended by inserting 
"through 2003" after "each odd-numbered year". 
(3) BIENNIAL REPORT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON WOMEN 
VETERANS.—Section 542(c)(1) is amended by inserting "through 
2004" after "each even-numbered year". 
(4) 
BIENNIAL REPORTS ON MONTGOMERY GI BILL.—Sub-
section (d) of section 3036 is amended to read as follows: 
"(d) No report shall be required under this section after January 
1, 2005.". 
(5) ANNUAL REPORT OF SPECIAL MEDICAL ADVISORY GROUP.— 
Section 7312(d) is amended by adding at the end the following 
new sentence: "No report shall be required under this sub-
section after December 31, 2004.". 
(d) COST INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED WITH EACH REPORT 
REQUIRED BY CONGRESS.—(1)(A) Chapter 1 is amended by adding 
at the end the following new section: 
''§ 116. Reports to Congress: cost information 
"Whenever the Secretary submits to Congress, or any committee 
of Congress, a report that is required by law or by a joint explana-
tory statement of a committee of conference of the Congress, the 
Secretary shall include with the report— 
"(1) a statement of the cost of preparing the report; and 
"(2) a brief explanation of the methodology used in pre-
paring that cost statement.". 
(B) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter 
is amended by adding at the end the following new item: 
"116. Reports to Congress: cost information.". 
38 use 116 note. 
(2) Section 116 of title 38, United States Code, as added by 
paragraph (1) of this subsection, shall apply with respect to any 
report submitted by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs after the 
end of the 90-day period beginning on the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
SEC. 404. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS. 
(a) TITLE 38.—Title 38, United States Code, is amended as 
follows: 
(1) Section 1116(a)(2)(F) is amended by inserting "of dis-
ability" after "to a degree". 
(2) Section 1318(b)(3) is amended by striking "not later 
than" and inserting "not less than". 
(3) Section 1712(a)(4)(A) is amended by striking "subsection 
(a) of this section (other than paragraphs (3)(B) and (3)(C) 
of that subsection)" and inserting "this subsection". 
(4) Section 1720A(c)(l) is amended by striking "for such 
disability" and all that follows through "to such member" and 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
114 STAT. 1865 
inserting "for such disability. Care and services provided to 
a member so transferred". 
(5) Section 2402(7) is amended by striking "chapter 67 
of title 10" and inserting "chapter 1223 of title 10". 
(6) Section 3012(g)(2) is amended by striking "subpara-
graphs" both places it appears and inserting "subparagraph". 
(7) Section 3684(c) is amended by striking "calender" and 
inserting "calendar". 
(8) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 41 
is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 4110A 
the following new item: 
"4110B. Coordination and nonduplication.". 
(9) The text of section 4213 is amended to read as follows: 
"(a) Amounts and periods of time specified in subsection (b) 
shall be disregarded in determining eligibility under any of the 
following: 
"(1) Any public service emplo3mient program. 
"(2) Any emergency employment program. 
"(3) Any job training program assisted under the Economic 
Opportunity Act of 1964. 
"(4) Any emplojonent or training program carried out under 
title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 
2801 et seq.). 
"(5) Any other employment or training (or related) program 
financed in whole or in part with Federal funds. 
"(b) Subsection (a) applies with respect to the following amounts 
and periods of time: 
"(1) Any amount received as pay or allowances by any 
person while serving on active duty. 
"(2) Any period of time during which such person served 
on active duty. 
"(3) Any amount received under chapters 11, 13, 30, 31, 
32, and 36 of this title by an eligible veteran. 
"(4) Any amount received by an eligible person under chap-
ters 13 and 35 of this title. 
"(5) Any amount received by an eligible member under 
chapter 106 of title 10.". 
(10) Section 7603(a)(1) is amended by striking "subsection" 
and inserting "subchapter". 
(b) OTHER LAWS.— 
(1) Effective November 30, 1999, and as if included therein 
Effective date, 
as originally enacted, section 208(c)(2) of the Veterans Millen-
nium Health Care and Benefits Act (Public Law 106-117; 113 
Stat. 1568) is amended by striking "subsection (c)( 1)" and insert- 
38 USC 8163 and 
ing "subsection (c)(3)". 
note. 
114 STAT. 1866 
PUBLIC LAW 106-419—NOV. 1, 2000 
Effective date. 
(2) Effective November 21, 1997, and as if included therein 
as originally enacted, section 402(e) of the Veterans' Benefits 
38 use 8153 and 
Act of 1997 (PubHc Law 105-114; 111 Stat. 2294) is amended 
»iote- 
by striking "second sentence" and inserting "third sentence". 
Approved November 1, 2000. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 1402: 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 106-114 (Comm. on Veterans' Affairs). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 145 (1999): July 26, considered and passed Senate. 
Vol. 146 (2000): May 23, considered and passed House, amended. 
Oct. 12, Senate concurred in House amendments with 
amendments. 
Oct. 17, House concurred in Senate amendments. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 36 (2000): 
Nov. 1, Presidential statement.