
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document affected by Public Law 106-419 Section 403(c)(2)]
[CITE: 38USC541]

 
                      TITLE 38--VETERANS' BENEFITS
 
                       PART I--GENERAL PROVISIONS
 
            CHAPTER 5--AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY
 
                   SUBCHAPTER III--ADVISORY COMMITTEES
 
Sec. 541. Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War

    (a)(1) The Secretary 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)(A) The members of the Committee shall be appointed by the 
Secretary from the general public and shall include--
        (i) appropriate representatives of veterans who are former 
    prisoners of war;
        (ii) 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
        (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 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)(1) Not later than July 1 of each odd-numbered year, the 
Committee shall submit to the Secretary a report on the programs 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 veterans 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 recommendations for 
    administrative and legislative action) as the Committee considers to 
    be appropriate.

    (2) The Secretary shall, within 60 days after receiving each report 
under paragraph (1), submit to the Congress a copy of the report, 
together with any comments concerning the report that the Secretary 
considers appropriate.
    (3) The Committee may also submit to the Secretary such other 
reports and recommendations as the Committee considers appropriate.
    (4) The Secretary shall submit with each annual report submitted to 
the Congress pursuant to section 529 of this title a summary of all 
reports 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, Sec. 2(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 392; amended 
Pub. L. 102-405, title III, Sec. 302(c)(1), Oct. 9, 1992, 106 Stat. 
1984.)


                            Prior Provisions

    Prior section 541 was renumbered section 1541 of this title.
    Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in 
section 221 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102-83, Sec. 2(a).


                               Amendments

    1992--Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Pub. L. 102-405 substituted ``Under 
Secretary for Health'' for ``Chief Medical Director'' and ``Under 
Secretary for Benefits'' for ``Chief Benefits Director''.


                   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 14 of Pub. L. 92-463, 
Oct. 6, 1972, 86 Stat. 776, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, 
Government Organization and Employees.
