Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 95.djvu/961

 PUBLIC LAW 97-37—AUG. 14, 1981

Public Law 97-87 97th Congress

An Act

To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve certain benefit programs of the Veterans' Administration for veterans who are former prisoners of war, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That (a) this Act may be cited as the "Former Prisoner of War Benefits Act of 1981". (b) 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. SEC. 2. (a) Chapter 3 is amended by inserting after section 220 the following new section: "§ 221. Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War "(a)(1) The Administrator shall establish an advisory committee to be known as the Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War (hereinafter in this section referred to as the 'Committee'). "(2) The members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Administrator from the general public and shall include— "(A) appropriate representatives of veterans who are former prisoners of war; "(B) individuals who are recognized authorities in fields pertinent to disabilities prevalent among former prisoners of war, including authorities in epidemiology, mental health, nutrition, geriatrics, and internal medicine; and "(C) appropriate representatives of disabled veterans. The Committee shall also include, as ex officio members, the Chief Medical Director and the Chief Benefits Director, or their designees. "(3) The Administrator shall determine the number, terms of service, and pay and allowances of members of the Committee appointed by the Administrator, except that the term of service of any such member may not exceed three years. '(b) The Administrator shall, on a regular basis, consult with and seek the advice of the Committee with respect to the administration of benefits under this title for veterans who are former prisoners of war and the needs of such veterans with respect to compensation, health care, and rehabilitation. "(c) Not later than July 1, 1983, and not later than July 1 of each second year thereafter, the Committee shall submit to the Administrator a report on the programs and activities of the Veterans' Administration that pertain to veterans who are former prisoners of war. The Committee shall include in each such report an assessment of the needs of such veterans with respect to compensation, health care, and rehabilitation, a review of the programs and activities of the Veterans' Administration designed to meet such needs, and such recommendations (including recommendations for administrative and legislative action) as the Committee considers to be appropriate. The Administrator shall immediately submit such report to the

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61: QL3

95 STAT. 935

Aug. 14, 1981 [H.R. 1100]

Former Prisoner of War Benefits Act of 1981. 38 USC 101 note.

38 USC 221. Establishment.

Membership.

Report.

Report to Congress.

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