133 STAT. 970  PUBLIC LAW 116–23—JUNE 25, 2019  38 USC 1101  prec.  (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin- ning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating  to section 1116A, as added by section 2, the following new item:  (c) IMPLEMENTATION.—  38 USC 1116B  note.  Reports.  (1) GUIDANCE.—Notwithstanding section 501 of such title,  the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may issue guidance to imple- ment section 1116B of title 38, United States Code, as added  by subsection (a), before prescribing new regulations under  such section.  ‘‘1116B. Presumption of herbicide exposure for certain veterans who served in  Korea.’’.  (2) UPDATES.—(A) Not later than 120 days after the date  of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a  report to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House  of Representatives and the Senate regarding the plans of the  Secretary to respond to inquiries from veterans regarding  claims for disability compensation under section 1116B of title  38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a) of this  section.  Time period.  (B) On a quarterly basis during the period beginning on  the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on the date  on which regulations are prescribed to carry out such section  1116B, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Vet- erans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate  updates on the status of such regulations.  (3) PENDING CASES.—  (A) AUTHORITY TO STAY.—The Secretary may stay a  claim described in subparagraph (B) until the date on  which the Secretary commences the implementation of sec- tion 1116B of title 38, United States Code, as added by  subsection (a).  Time period.  38 USC 1116B  note.  38 USC 1822.  ‘‘(a) BENEFITS AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary may provide to any  child of a veteran of covered service in Thailand who is suffering  from spina bifida the health care, vocational training and rehabilita- tion, and monetary allowance required to be paid to a child of  a Vietnam veteran who is suffering from spina bifida under sub- chapter I of this chapter as if such child of a veteran of covered  (a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter III of chapter 18 of title 38,  United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following  new section:  (d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section  shall take effect on January 1, 2020.  (ii) that is pending at the Veterans Benefits  Administration or the Board of Veterans’ Appeals on  or after the date of the enactment of this Act and  before the date on which the Secretary commences  the implementation of such section 1116B.  (i) relating to the service and diseases covered  by such section 1116B; and  (B) CLAIMS DESCRIBED.—A claim described in this  subparagraph is a claim for disability compensation—  ‘‘§ 1822. Benefits for children of certain Thailand service vet- erans born with spina bifida  SEC. 4. BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN OF CERTAIN THAILAND SERVICE  VETERANS BORN WITH SPINA BIFIDA. 