A bill to amend chapter 39 of title 38, United States Code, relating to automobiles and adaptive equipment for certain disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces.
PL 93-538 (S.2363), enacted 12/22/1974

1736 
PUBLIC LAW 93-538-DEC. 22, 1974 
[88 STAT. 
Public Law 93-538 
AN ACT 
December22, 1974 
[S-2363] 
To amend chapter 39 of title 38, United States Code, relating to automobiles and 
adaptive equipment for certain disabled veterans and members of the Armed 
Forces. 
Disabled Vet 
erans' and Serv 
equipment. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled^ That this Act may 
icemen°s Auto- 
be cited as the "Disabled Veterans' and Servicemen's Automobile and 
Ada'Hve"E ui 
Adaptive Equipment Amendments of 1974". 
ment'Am^end''ments 
SEC. 2. Scctiou 1901 of title 38, United States Code, is amended as 
o
f 1974. 
follows: 
^^3 8 use 1901 
(1) by striking out in paragraph (1) all of that part of clause 
(A) beginning with "World War II," dow^n through the end of 
such clause, and inserting in lieu thereof "World War I I or 
thereafter:"; 
(2) by striking out in paragraph (1) all of that part of clause 
(B) beginning with "World War II," down through the end of 
such clause, and inserting in lieu thereof "World War I I or there-
after."; and 
(3) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follow^s: 
^^^^ir?, 
"(2) The term 'adaptive equipment' includes, but is not limited to, 
power steering, power brakes, power window lifts, power seats, and 
special equipment necessary to assist the eligible person into and out 
of the automobile or other conveyance. Such term also includes (A) 
air-conditioning equipment when such equipment is necessary to the 
health and safety of the veteran and to the safety of others, regardless 
of whether the automobile or other conveyance is to be operated by 
the eligible person or is to be operated for such person by another per-
son; and (B) any modification of the size of the interior space of the 
automobile or other conveyance if needed because of the physical con-
dition of such person in order for such person to enter or operate the 
vehicle.". 
3 8 use 1902. 
gp;(. 3 Section 1902 of such title is amended as follows: 
(1) by inserting in subsection (a) "(including all State, local, 
and other taxes)" after "conveyance" the second time it appears; 
(2) by striking out in subsection (a) "$2,800," and inserting 
in lieu thereof "$3,300,"; and 
(3) by inserting in subsection (c)(2) "previously or" after 
"may". 
38 use 1903. 
gj,^ 4 (^^^ Section 1903 of such title is amended by adding at the 
end thereof the following new subsection: 
Special driver 
"(g) (1) fjie Admiulstrator shall provide, directly or by contract, 
training courses. 
^.^^ ^^^ couduct of special drlver training courses at every hospital 
and, where appropriate, at regional offices and other medical facilities, 
of the Veterans' Administration to instruct such eligible person to 
operate the type of automobile or other conveyance such person wishes 
to obtain with assistance under this chapter, and may make such 
courses available to any veteran or member of the Armed Forces, 
38 use 601. 
eligible for care under chapter 17 of this title, who is determined by 
the Administrator to need the special training provided in such courses 
even though such veteran or member is not eligible for the assistance 
provided tmder this chapter. 
88 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 93-538-DEC. 22, 1974 
1737 
"(2) The Administrator is authorized to obtain insurance on auto- 
insurance. 
mobiles and other conveyances (not owned by the Government) used 
in conducting the special driver training courses provided under this 
subsection and to obtain, at Government expense, personal liability 
and property damage insurance for all persons taking such courses 
without regard to whether such persons are taking the course on an 
in-patient or out-patient basis.". 
(b) The catchline of such section is amended by adding at the end 
thereof a semicolon and "special training courses". 
(c) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 39 of such title 
is amended by striking out 
"1903. Limitations on assistance." 
and inserting in lieu thereof 
"1903. Limitations on assistance; special training courses.". 
SEC. 5. (a) Chapter 39 of such title is further amended by adding at 
the end thereof the following new section: 
"§ 1904. Research and development; coordination with other Fed- ^
* "^^ ^^°'* 
eral programs 
"(a) In carrying out prosthetic and orthopedic appliance research 
under section 216 and medical research under section 4101 of this title, 
the Administrator, through the Chief Medical Director, shall provide 
for special emphasis on the research and development of adaptive 
equipment and adapted conveyances (including vans) meeting stand-
ards of safety and quality prescribed under subsection (d) of section 
1903, including support for the production and distribution of devices 
and conveyances so developed. 
"(b) In carrying out subsection (a) of this section, the Administra-
tor, through the Chief Medical Director, shall consult and cooperate 
with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and the Com-
missioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, Department 
of Health, Education, and Welfare, in connection with programs car-
ried out under section 3(b) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Public 
Law 93-112; 87 Stat. 357) (relating to the development and support, 
29 use 702. 
and the stimulation of the development and utilization, including pro-
duction and distribution of new and existing devices, of innovative 
methods of applying advanced medical technology, scientific achieve-
ment, and psychological and social knowledge to solve rehabilitation 
problems), section 202(b) (2) of such Act (relating to the establish-
ment and support of Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers), 
and section 405 of such Act (relating to the Secretarial responsibilities 
for planning, analysis, promoting utilization of scientific advances, and 
information clearinghouse activities).". 
(b) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter 39 is 
amended by inserting at the end thereof: 
"1904. Research and development; coordination with other Federal programs,". 
SEC. 6. The provisions of this Act shall become effective on the first 
day of the second calendar month following the date of enactment, note 
except that clause (3) of section 3 shall take effect on January 11,1971. 
Approved December 22, 1974. 
29 use 762. 
29 use 785. 
Effective date. 
38 use 1901