The Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act

Public Law 108-179

The Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act

Prime Sponsor: Mr. Christopher H. Smith of New Jersey
Signed by the President December 15, 2003

Authorizes funding for the Department of Health and Human Services to support treatment centers inside the United States that rehabilitate victims of torture by providing physical and psychological therapies.

Authorizes the President to make grants to support international centers that provide similar relief to victims of torture.

Authorizes a United States commitment to the United Nation's Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture.

Full text of the law appears below:

Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 2003 (Received in Senate from House)

HR 1813 RDS

108th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1813

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

November 19, 2003

Received

AN ACT

To amend the Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998 to authorize appropriations to provide assistance for domestic and foreign centers and programs for the treatment of victims of torture, and for other purposes.

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 `Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 2003'.

SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR DOMESTIC TREATMENT CENTERS FOR VICTIMS OF TORTURE.

(a) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- Section 5(b)(1) of the Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 2152 note) is amended to read as follows:

`(1) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated for the Department of Health and Human Services for fiscal years 2004 and 2005, there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection (a) (relating to assistance for domestic centers and programs for the treatment of victims of torture) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2004 and $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2005.'.

(b) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect October 1, 2003.

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR FOREIGN TREATMENT CENTERS FOR VICTIMS OF TORTURE.

(a) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- Section 4(b)(1) of the Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 2152 note) is amended to read as follows:

`(1) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years 2004 and 2005 pursuant to chapter 1 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, there are authorized to be appropriated to the President to carry out section 130 of such Act (relating to assistance for centers in foreign countries and programs for the treatment of victims of torture) $11,000,000 for fiscal year 2004 and $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2005.'.

(b) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect October 1, 2003.

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE UNITED STATES CONTRIBUTION TO THE UNITED NATIONS VOLUNTARY FUND FOR VICTIMS OF TORTURE.

Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years 2004 and 2005 pursuant to chapter 3 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, there are authorized to be appropriated to the President for a voluntary contribution to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2004 and $7,000,000 for fiscal year 2005.

Passed the House of Representatives November 19, 2003.

Attest:

JEFF TRANDAHL,

Clerk.