benefits for united states hostages in iraq and kuwait and united states hostages captured in lebanon

benefits for united states hostages in iraq and kuwait and united states hostages captured in lebanon Sec. 599C. (a) Eligibility.—United States hostages in Iraq and Kuwait, and United States hostages captured in Lebanon, shall, subject to the availability of funds under subsection (e), be entitled to the benefits described in this section. Except as otherwise provided in this section or other provision of law, no such individual or any family member shall receive any benefit under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. (b) Payments for Duration of Hostage Status, Life Insurance, and Health Insurance.—(1) Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Office of Personnel Management, after consultation with the Department of State, shall prescribe regulations, consistent with this section, for the application of the provisions of chapter 87 (relating to life insurance) and chapter 89 (relating to health insurance) of title 5, United States Code, to the United States hostages in Iraq or Kuwait, and United States hostages captured in Lebanon, and their family members for the period that such hostages remain in hostage status. (2) United States hostages in Iraq or Kuwait, and United States hostages captured in Lebanon, shall, subject to the availability of funds under subsection (e), be paid at the rate of pay for a position at GS-9 of the General Schedule for the period in which such hostages remained in a hostage status without the hostages (or their family 104 STAT. 2065members on their behalf) receiving salaries or wages from their employers. (3) During the period of an individual’s hostage status and during the 12-month period after the hostage status of that individual ceases, such individual and his family members shall, subject to the availability of funds under subsection (e), be entitled to health benefits covered by paragraph (1) if such benefits were not provided by any other insurance coverage. (4) During the period of an individual’s hostage status and during the 12-month period after the hostage status of that individual ceases, that individual shall, subject to the availability of funds under subsection (e), be entitled to life insurance benefits covered by paragraph (1) if such benefits were not provided by any other insurance coverage. (c) Administration of Authorities.—(1) For purposes of this section, the Secretary of State shall certify to such officer of the United States as may require such information the names of the United States hostages in Iraq and Kuwait, and United States hostages captured in Lebanon, and their family members. (2) For purposes of the protection of the identity of any individual, the Secretary of State may submit any certification under this subsection in classified form. (3) The Secretary of State may require of any individual such verification of hostage status as he may deem necessary. (d) Definitions.—For purposes of this section— (1) the term “hostage status” means, with respect to United States hostages in Iraq and Kuwait, the status of being held in custody by governmental or military authorities of a country or taking refuge within that country in fear of being taken into such custody (including residing in any diplomatic mission or consular post in that country); and, with respect to United States hostages captured in Lebanon, the status of a person described in paragraph (4)(B); (2) the term “family members” means spouses, dependents, and any individuals who are members of the households of United States hostages in Iraq and Kuwait or United States hostages captured in Lebanon; (3) the term “United States economic sanctions against Iraq” means the exercise of authorities under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act by the President with respect to financial transactions with Iraq; (4) (A) the term “United States hostages in Iraq and Kuwait” means United States nationals, or family members of United States nationals, who are in a hostage status in Iraq or Kuwait during the period beginning on August 2, 1990, and terminating on the date on which United States economic sanctions against Iraq are lifted; and (B) the term “United States hostages captured in Lebanon” means United States nationals who have been forcibly detained, held hostage, or interned by an enemy government or its agents, or a hostile force, in Lebanon since January 1, 1990. (5) the term “United States national” means any individual who is a citizen of the United States or who, though not a citizen of the United States, owes permanent allegiance to the United States. 104 STAT. 2066 (e) Allocation of Funds.—(1) Of the funds appropriated by this Act under the heading “Economic Support Fund”, up to $10,000,000 shall be available to carry out this section. (2) The authority to obligate funds under the authority provided by this section shall expire six months after the date of enactment of this Act.