Notice: The uscode.house.gov website is currently operating in a temporary format. While the United States Code remains available from its authoritative source, some website features and functionality are temporarily unavailable.
The United States Code Online is current through Public Law 119-120 (October 7, 2026).
Search & Browse Currency and Updating Classification Tables Popular Name Tool Positive Law Codification Editorial Reclassification Downloads
38 U.S.C. 1976: Effective dateText contains those laws in effect through Public Law 119-120 (October 7, 2026).
From Title 38-VETERANS’ BENEFITSCHAPTER 19-INSURANCE

§1976. Effective date

The insurance provided for in this subchapter and the deductions and contributions for that purpose shall take effect on the date designated by the Secretary and certified by the Secretary to each Secretary concerned.

(Added Pub. L. 89–214, § 1(a) , Sept. 29, 1965 , 79 Stat. 885 , § 776; amended Pub. L. 99–576, title VII, § 701(42) , Oct. 28, 1986 , 100 Stat. 3294 ; renumbered § 1976 and amended Pub. L. 102–83 , §§ 4(b)(1), (2)(E), 5(a), Aug. 6, 1991 , 105 Stat. 404–406 .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1991⁠—Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a), renumbered section 776 of this title as this section and substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator” in two places.

1986⁠—Pub. L. 99–576 substituted “the Administrator” for “him” after “certified by”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Interim Coverage Until Effective Date of Group Plan; $5,000 Death Gratuity

Pub. L. 89–214, § 3, Sept. 29, 1965, 79 Stat. 886, as amended by Pub. L. 89–730, § 6(a)–(d), Nov. 2, 1966, 80 Stat. 1159, provided for payment of a death gratuity of up to $5,000 in certain cases of death of veterans while in active military, naval, or air service during the period from Jan. 1, 1957, to the date immediately preceding the date on which the Servicemen’s Group Life Insurance program was placed in effect under this section, and required that an application for such gratuity had to be made within one year after Sept. 29, 1965.

Pub. L. 89–730, § 6(e), Nov. 2, 1966, 80 Stat. 1159, provided that any waiver of future benefits executed by any person under section 3(a) of Pub. L. 89–214 (see above), as in effect prior to Nov. 2, 1966, was to have no effect.

Pub. L. 89–730, § 6(f), Nov. 2, 1966, 80 Stat. 1159, provided that in any case in which the death gratuity paid to any person under section 3 of Pub. L. 89–214 (see above), was reduced pursuant to clause (B) of subsection (c)(1) of such section, as in effect prior to Nov. 2, 1966, the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs was to pay to such person an amount equal to the amount by which such death gratuity was reduced.

Pub. L. 89–730, § 6(g), Nov. 2, 1966, 80 Stat. 1159, provided that notwithstanding the time limitation prescribed in section 3(a) of Pub. L. 89–214 (see above), any application for death gratuity filed under such section shall be valid if filed within one year after Nov. 2, 1966.