38 U.S.C. § 542 — Advisory Committee on Women Veterans

Page 99 TITLE 38—VETERANS’ BENEFITS § 542 (iii) appropriate representatives of disabled veterans. (B) The Committee shall also include, as ex officio members, the Under Secretary for Health and the Under Secretary for Benefits, or their designees. (3) The Secretary shall determine the number, terms of service, and pay and allowances of members of the Committee appointed by the Secretary, except that the term of service of any such member may not exceed three years. (b) The Secretary shall, on a regular basis, consult with and seek the advice of the Com- mittee 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)(1) Not later than July 1 of each odd-num- bered year through 2009, the Committee shall submit to the Secretary a report on the pro- grams and activities of the Department that pertain to veterans who are former prisoners of war. Each such report shall include— (A) an assessment of the needs of such vet- erans with respect to compensation, health care, and rehabilitation; (B) a review of the programs and activities of the Department designed to meet such needs; and (C) such recommendations (including rec- ommendations for administrative and legisla- tive action) as the Committee considers to be appropriate. (2) The Secretary shall, within 60 days after receiving each report under paragraph (1), sub- mit to the Congress a copy of the report, to- gether with any comments concerning the re- port that the Secretary considers appropriate. (3) The Committee may also submit to the Secretary such other reports and recommenda- tions as the Committee considers appropriate. (4) The Secretary shall submit with each an- nual report submitted to the Congress pursuant to section 529 of this title a summary of all re- ports and recommendations of the Committee submitted to the Secretary since the previous annual report of the Secretary submitted to the Congress pursuant to that section. (Added Pub. L. 102–83, § 2(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 392; amended Pub. L. 102–405, title III, § 302(c)(1), Oct. 9, 1992, 106 Stat. 1984; Pub. L. 106–419, title IV, § 403(c)(2), Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1864; Pub. L. 108–454, title VIII, § 803, Dec. 10, 2004, 118 Stat. 3626.) Editorial Notes PRIOR PROVISIONS Prior section 541 was renumbered section 1541 of this title. Provisions similar to those in this section were con- tained in section 221 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–83, § 2(a). AMENDMENTS 2004—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 108–454 substituted ‘‘2009’’ for ‘‘2003’’. 2000—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 106–419 inserted ‘‘through 2003’’ after ‘‘each odd-numbered year’’ in introductory provisions. 1992—Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Pub. L. 102–405 substituted ‘‘Under Secretary for Health’’ for ‘‘Chief Medical Direc- tor’’ and ‘‘Under Secretary for Benefits’’ for ‘‘Chief Benefits Director’’. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries TERMINATION OF ADVISORY COMMITTEES Advisory committees established after Jan. 5, 1973, to terminate not later than the expiration of the 2-year period beginning on the date of their establishment, unless, in the case of a committee established by the President or an officer of the Federal Government, such committee is renewed by appropriate action prior to the expiration of such 2-year period, or in the case of a committee established by the Congress, its duration is otherwise provided by law. See section 1013 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees. § 542. Advisory Committee on Women Veterans (a)(1) The Secretary shall establish an advi- sory committee to be known as the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans (hereinafter in this section referred to as ‘‘the Committee’’). (2)(A) The Committee shall consist of members appointed by the Secretary from the general public, including— (i) representatives of women veterans; (ii) individuals who are recognized authori- ties in fields pertinent to the needs of women veterans, including the gender-specific health- care needs of women; (iii) representatives of both female and male veterans with service-connected disabilities, including at least one female veteran with a service-connected disability and at least one male veteran with a service-connected dis- ability; and (iv) women veterans who are recently sepa- rated from service in the Armed Forces. (B) The Committee shall include, as ex officio members— (i) the Secretary of Labor (or a representa- tive of the Secretary of Labor designated by the Secretary after consultation with the As- sistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans’ Em- ployment); (ii) the Secretary of Defense (or a represent- ative of the Secretary of Defense designated by the Secretary of Defense after consultation with the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services); and (iii) the Under Secretary for Health and the Under Secretary for Benefits, or their des- ignees. (C) The Secretary may invite representatives of other departments and agencies of the United States to participate in the meetings and other activities of the Committee. (3) The Secretary shall determine the number, terms of service, and pay and allowances of members of the Committee appointed by the Secretary, except that a term of service of any such member may not exceed three years. The Secretary may reappoint any such member for additional terms of service. (b) The Secretary shall, on a regular basis, consult with and seek the advice of the Com- mittee with respect to the administration of benefits by the Department for women veterans, reports and studies pertaining to women vet- Page 100 TITLE 38—VETERANS’ BENEFITS § 543 erans and the needs of women veterans with re- spect to compensation, health care, rehabilita- tion, outreach, and other benefits and programs administered by the Department, including the Center for Women Veterans. (c)(1) Not later than July 1 of each year, the Committee shall submit to the Secretary a re- port on the programs and activities of the De- partment that pertain to women veterans. Each such report shall include— (A) an assessment of the needs of women veterans with respect to compensation, health care, rehabilitation, outreach, and other bene- fits and programs administered by the Depart- ment; (B) a review of the programs and activities of the Department designed to meet such needs; (C) an assessment of the effects of intimate partner violence on women veterans; and (D) such recommendations (including rec- ommendations for administrative and legisla- tive action) as the Committee considers appro- priate. (2) The Secretary shall, within 60 days after receiving each report under paragraph (1), sub- mit to the Congress a copy of the report, to- gether with any comments concerning the re- port that the Secretary considers appropriate. (3) The Committee may also submit to the Secretary such other reports and recommenda- tions as the Committee considers appropriate. (4) The Secretary shall submit with each an- nual report submitted to the Congress pursuant to section 529 of this title a summary of all re- ports and recommendations of the Committee submitted to the Secretary since the previous annual report of the Secretary submitted pursu- ant to such section. (Added Pub. L. 102–83, § 2(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 393; amended Pub. L. 102–405, title III, § 302(c)(1), Oct. 9, 1992, 106 Stat. 1984; Pub. L. 104–275, title V, § 501(e)(1), Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3341; Pub. L. 106–419, title IV, § 403(c)(3), Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1864; Pub. L. 109–444, § 5, Dec. 21, 2006, 120 Stat. 3308; Pub. L. 109–461, title II, § 208(b), title X, § 1006(b), Dec. 22, 2006, 120 Stat. 3413, 3468; Pub. L. 110–387, title VIII, § 808, Oct. 10, 2008, 122 Stat. 4141; Pub. L. 111–163, title II, § 204(a), May 5, 2010, 124 Stat. 1144; Pub. L. 116–315, title V, § 5302, Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 5038; Pub. L. 117–263, div. E, title LI, § 5101, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3205.) Editorial Notes PRIOR PROVISIONS Prior section 542 was renumbered section 1542 of this title. Provisions similar to those in this section were con- tained in section 222 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–83, § 2(a). AMENDMENTS 2022—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 117–263 substituted ‘‘year’’ for ‘‘even-numbered year’’. 2021—Subsec. (c)(1)(C), (D). Pub. L. 116–315 added sub- par. (C) and redesignated former subpar. (C) as (D). 2010—Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(iv). Pub. L. 111–163 added cl. (iv). 2008—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 110–387 struck out ‘‘through 2008’’ after ‘‘year’’ in introductory provisions. 2006—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 109–461, § 1006(b), provided that as of the enactment of Pub. L. 109–461, the amend- ments made by Pub. L. 109–444 were deemed for all pur- poses not to have taken effect and that Pub. L. 109–444 ceased to be in effect. See Amendment notes below and section 1006(b) of Pub. L. 109–461, set out as a Coordina- tion of Provisions With Pub. L. 109–444 note under sec- tion 101 of this title. Pub. L. 109–461, § 208(b), substituted ‘‘2008’’ for ‘‘2004’’ in introductory provisions. Pub. L. 109–444, which substituted ‘‘2008’’ for ‘‘2004’’ in introductory provisions, was terminated by Pub. L. 109–461, § 1006(b). See Amendment notes above. 2000—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 106–419 inserted ‘‘through 2004’’ after ‘‘each even-numbered year’’ in introductory provisions. 1996—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–275 inserted ‘‘, including the Center for Women Veterans’’ before period at end. 1992—Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 102–405 substituted ‘‘Under Secretary for Health’’ for ‘‘Chief Medical Direc- tor’’ and ‘‘Under Secretary for Benefits’’ for ‘‘Chief Benefits Director’’. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries CHANGE OF NAME Reference to Assistant Secretary of Labor for Vet- erans’ Employment in any law in force on Nov. 6, 1986, deemed to be a reference to Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans’ Employment and Training, see sec- tion 2(b)(3) of Pub. L. 99–619, set out as a References in Other Laws note under section 553 of Title 29, Labor. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2010 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 111–163, title II, § 204(c), May 5, 2010, 124 Stat. 1144, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 544 of this title] shall apply to appointments made on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [May 5, 2010].’’ TERMINATION OF ADVISORY COMMITTEES Advisory committees established after Jan. 5, 1973, to terminate not later than the expiration of the 2-year period beginning on the date of their establishment, unless, in the case of a committee established by the President or an officer of the Federal Government, such committee is renewed by appropriate action prior to the expiration of such 2-year period, or in the case of a committee established by the Congress, its duration is otherwise provided by law. See section 1013 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees. § 543. Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special-Disabilities Programs (a) There is in the Department an advisory committee known as the Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special-Disabilities Pro- grams (hereinafter in this section referred to as the ‘‘Committee’’). (b) The objectives and scope of activities of the Committee shall relate to— (1) prosthetics and special-disabilities pro- grams administered by the Secretary; (2) the coordination of programs of the De- partment for the development and testing of, and for information exchange regarding, pros- thetic devices; (3) the coordination of Department and non- Department programs that involve the devel- opment and testing of prosthetic devices; and (4) the adequacy of funding for the pros- thetics and special-disabilities programs of the Department. (c) The Secretary shall, on a regular basis, consult with and seek the advice of the Com-