Section, added Pub. L. 104–204, title IV, § 421(b)(1), Sept. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 2923; amended Pub. L. 105–114, title IV, § 404(a), Nov. 21, 1997, 111 Stat. 2294, defined “child” and “Vietnam veteran”.

A prior section 1801 was renumbered section 3701 of this title.

Repeal effective on the first day of the first month beginning more than one year after Nov. 1, 2000, see section 401(g) of Pub. L. 106–419, set out as an Effective Date note under section 1811 of this title.

Chapter effective Oct. 1, 1997, notwithstanding section 421(d) of Pub. L. 104–204, set out below, unless legislation other than Pub. L. 104–204 is enacted providing for an earlier effective date, see section 422(c) of Pub. L. 104–204, set out as an Effective Date of 1996 Amendment note under section 1151 of this title.

Pub. L. 104–204, title IV, § 421(d), Sept. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 2926, provided that: “This section [enacting this chapter and amending section 5312 of this title] and the amendments made by this section shall take effect on January 1, 1997.”

Pub. L. 104–204, title IV, § 421(a), Sept. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 2923, provided that: “The purpose of this section [enacting this chapter and amending section 5312 of this title] is to provide for the special needs of certain children of Vietnam veterans who were born with the birth defect spina bifida, possibly as the result of the exposure of one or both parents to herbicides during active service in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam era, through the provision of health care and monetary benefits.”