Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 102 Part 5.djvu/120

 102 STAT. 4126

PUBLIC LAW 100-687—NOV. 18, 1988 (1) the health risks (if any) resulting from exposure during that service to dioxin or any other toxic agent in herbicides used in support of United States and allied military operations in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam era, as such information on health risks becomes known; and (2) services and benefits available to such veterans with respect to such health risks. (b) INFORMATION IN AGENT ORANGE REGISTRY.—The Adminis-

trator shall take reasonable actions to organize and update the information contained in the Veterans' Administration Agent Orange Registry in a manner that enables the Administrator promptly to notify a veteran of any increased health risk for such veteran resulting from exposure of such veteran to dioxin or any other toxic agent referred to in subsection (a) during Vietnam-era service in the Republic of Vietnam whenever the Administrator determines, on the basis of physical examination or other pertinent information, that such veteran is subject to such an increased health risk. SEC. 1205. RANCH HAND STUDY.

Reports.

(a) ADVISORY COMMITTEE PERSONNEL AND SUPPORT.—(1) After February 28, 1989, not less than one-third of the total number of members of the Ranch Hand Advisory Committee shall be individuals selected by the Secretary of Health and Human Services from among scientists who are recommended by veterans' organizations for membership on the committee and are determined by the Secretary to be qualified for service on the committee. (2) A scientist shall be considered to be qualified for service on the Ranch Hand Advisory Committee if (A) the scientist heis earned a doctor of medicine degree or a doctorate or other advanced degree from an institution of higher education in a field relevant to the responsibilities of the Advisory Committee and has written one or more articles relevant to those responsibilities which have appeared in scientific publications following a peer-review process, or (B) the scientist has qualifications equivalent to those set forth in clause (A). (b) CHAIRMAN.—After February 28, 1989, the Chairman of the Ranch Hand Advisory Committee may be an officer or employee of the Federal Government (other than by reason of service as a member of the Advisory Committee) only if the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines, after affirmatively seeking to recruit a chairman who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government, that there is no individual qualified and available to serve as Chairman who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government. The Secretary shall report any such determination to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the^ House of Representatives. (c) SCHEDULE OF REPORTS.—(1) Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs and the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a schedule of reports to be prepared by the Secretary of the Air Force or the Secretary of Defense on the progress and findings of the Ranch Hand Study. (2) Each report referred to in paragraph (1) shall include the following:

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