HR 79
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 79
To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide certain abused
dependents of veterans with health care.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 5, 2011
Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred
to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide certain abused
dependents of veterans with health care.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Dependent Care Act of 2011'.
SEC. 2. HEALTH CARE FOR CERTAIN DEPENDENTS WHO ARE VICTIMS OF ABUSE.
(a) Provision of Health Care-
(1) IN GENERAL- Chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following new section:
`Sec. 1787. Health care for certain dependents who are victims of abuse
`(a) In General- In accordance with section 1781 of this title, the Secretary
shall provide health care to a victim of abuse described in subsection (b)
for physical and mental injuries resulting from such abuse.
`(b) Victim of Abuse- A victim of abuse described in this subsection is an
individual who--
`(1) is a spouse, child, or dependent parent of a veteran who--
`(A) is enrolled to receive care under section 1710 of this title; and
`(B) has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic
brain injury;
`(2) has been physically or psychologically abused by the veteran described
in paragraph (1), as verified by the Secretary; and
`(A) eligible for medical coverage (other than under this section) under
a program of the Federal Government or a State government; or
`(B) covered by a private medical insurance policy.
`(c) Mental Health- The Secretary shall ensure that health care provided under
this section includes mental health care as appropriate.'.
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT- The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter
is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1786 the following
new item:
`1787. Health care for certain dependents who are victims of abuse.'.
(b) Conforming Amendment- Section 1781(a) of such title is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking `, and' and inserting a comma;
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking the semicolon and inserting `, and'; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new paragraph:
`(5) a victim of abuse under section 1787 of this title;'.
(c) Report- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
of the Senate a report addressing any challenges or concerns of the Secretary
in verifying physical or psychological abuse pursuant to section 1787(b)(2)
of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a).
(d) Effective Date- The amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the
date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
END
