An act to amend the provisions of chapters 83 and 89 of title 5, United States Code, which relate to survivor benefits for certain dependent children, and for other purposes.
PL 96-179 (H.R.2584), enacted 01/02/1980

PUBLIC LAW 96-179—JAN. 2, 1980 
93 STAT. 1299 
Public Law 96-179 
96th Congress 
An Act 
To amend the provisions of chapters 83 and 89 of title 5, United States Code, which 
relate to survivor benefits for certain dependent children, and for other purposes. 
Jan. 2, 1980 
[H.R. 2584] 
Dependent 
children, 
survivor 
benefits. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled. That section 8341(a) 
of title 5, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking out "and" at the end of paragraph (2), 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new 
paragraph: 
"(3) 'dependent', in the case of any child, means that the "Dependent." 
employee or Member involved was, at the time of the employee 
or Member's death, either living with or contributing to the 
support of such child, as determined in accordance with such 
regulations as the Office of Personnel Management shall pre-
scribe; and"; and 
(3) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4), and in 
paragraph (4) (as redesignated) by— 
(A) inserting "dependent" after "unmarried" each place it 
appears in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C); 
(B) striking out "or recognized natural child who" in 
subparagraph (A)(ii) and inserting in lieu thereof "but only if 
the stepchild"; and 
(C) by inserting "a recognized natural child, and (iv)" after 
"(iii)". 
SEC. 2. Section 8901 of title 5, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (5), by— 
(A) inserting "dependent" after "unmarried" each place it 
appears therein; and 
(B) by inserting "or recognized natural child" after "child" 
in subparagraph (A); and 
(C) by striking out ", foster child, or recognized natural 
child who" in subparagraph (B) and inserting in lieu thereof 
"or foster child but only if the child;". 
(2) by striking out "and" at the end of paragraph (7); 
(3) by striking out the period at the end of paragraph (8) and 
inserting "; and" in lieu thereof; and 
(4) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following new 
paragraph: 
"(9) 'dependent', in the case of any child, means that the "Dependent." 
employee or annuitant involved is either living with or contribut-
ing to the support of such child, £is determined in accordance 
with such regulations as the Office shall prescribe.". 
SEC. 3. Section 8902(m)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code, is 
amended by striking out all after "contract" the third place it 
appears and inserting in lieu thereof the following: "in a State where 
25 percent or more of the population is located in primary medical 
care manpower shortage areas designated pursuant to section 332 of 
the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254e)." 
SEC. 4. Section 8344(c) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by 
inserting "or is elected as a Member," after "subchapter,". 
93 STAT. 1300 
PUBLIC LAW 96-179—JAN. 2, 1980 
WfS}^l^n ^^^- 
SEC. 5. (a) The amendments made by the first section and section 2 
5 use 8341 note, ^f t^jg ^^t shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, 
except that no benefits under chapter 89 of title 5, United States 
Code, made available by reason of 
such amendments shall be payable 
for any period before October 1,1979. 
5 use 8902 note. 
(b) The amendments made bv section 3 shall apply to services 
provided after December 31,1979, and before January 1,1985, under 
any contract entered into or renewed after December 31, 1979. 
Approved January 2, 1980. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 96-499 (eomm. on Post Office and eivil Service). 
SENATE REPORT No. 96-503 (eomm. on Governmental Affairs). 
eONGRESSIONAL REGORD, Vol. 125 (1979): 
Oct. 22, considered and passed House. 
Dec. 20, considered and passed Senate, smiended; House agreed to Senate 
amendments.