Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 100 Part 1.djvu/422

 100 STAT. 386

Reports.

Termination date.

Contracts.

PUBLIC LAW 99-272—APR. 7, 1986

during the Vietnam era and which may have resulted from traumatic experiences during such service, from exposure during such service to phenoxy herbicides (including the herbicide known as Agent Orange), to other herbicides, chemicals, or medications that may have deleterious health effects, or to environmental hazards, or from any other experience or exposure during such service. (B) The Administrator may include in the study conducted under this paragraph an evaluation of the means of detecting and treating long-term adverse health effects (particularly gender-specific health effects) found through the study. (2)(A) If the Administrator, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Technology Assessment, determines that it is not feasible to conduct a scientifically valid study of an aspect of the matters described in paragraph (1)— (i) the Administrator shall promptly submit to the appropriate committees of the Congress a notice of that determination and the reasons for the determination; and (ii) the Director, not later than 60 days after the date on which such notice is submitted to the committees, shall submit to such committees a report evaluating and commenting on such determination. (B) The Administrator is not required to study any aspect of the matters described in paragraph (1) with respect to which a determination is made and a notice is submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i). (C) If the Administrator submits to the Congress notice of a determination made pursuant to subparagraph (A) that it is not scientifically feasible to conduct the study described in paragraph (1)(A), this section (effective as of the date of such notice) shall cease to have effect as if repealed by law. (3) The Administrator shall provide for the study to be conducted through contracts or other agreements with private or public agencies or persons. (b) APPROVAL OF PROTOCOL.—(1) The study required by subsection (a) shall be conducted in accordance with a protocol approved by the Director of the Office of Technology Assessment. (2) Not later than July 1, 1986, the Administrator shall publish a request for proposals for the design of the protocol to be used in conducting the study under this section. (3) In considering any proposed protocol for use or approval under this subsection, the Administrator and the Director shall take into consideration— (A) the protocol approved under section 307(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Veterans Health Programs Extension and Improvement Act of 1979 (Public Law 96-151; 38 U.S.C. 219 note); and (B) the experience under the study being conducted pursuant to that protocol. (c) OTA REPORTS.—(1) Concurrent with the approval or disapproval of any protocol under subsection (b)(1), the Director shall submit to the appropriate committees of the Congress a report— (A) explaining the reasons for the Director's approval or disapproval of the protocol, as the case may be; and (B) containing the Director's conclusions regarding the scientific validity and objectivity of the protocol. (2) If the Director has not approved a protocol under subsection (b)(1) by the last day of the 180-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director—

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