Provision of benefits for children of male veterans who served in Vietnam who are affected by certain birth defects

(a) In general Subchapter II of chapter 18 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking woman Vietnam veteran each place it appears and inserting Vietnam veteran; (2) by striking women Vietnam veterans each place it appears and inserting Vietnam veterans; and (3) in the heading of such subchapter, by striking Woman. (b) Access to records for research purposes Section 1813 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following: (c) Access to records for research purposes (1) The Secretary shall require any health care provider with whom the Secretary enters into a contract under this subsection to provide access to the medical records of individuals who receive health care under this section to the Department of Veterans Affairs for the purpose of conducting research or providing support for research into the intergenerational effects of Agent Orange exposure. (2) In this subsection, the term Agent Orange includes any chemical compound which became part, either by design or through impurities, of an herbicide agent used in support of the United States and allied military operations in the Republic of Vietnam.. (c) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by striking the item relating to subchapter II and inserting the following new item: SUBCHAPTER II—CHILDREN OF VIETNAM VETERANS BORN WITH CERTAIN BIRTH DEFECTS. (d) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date that is 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act.