Post by Admin on Aug 6, 2014 3:30:30 GMT -5
**** Updated Text 06 Sept. 2013 ***
[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
[H.R. 4816 Introduced in House (IH)]
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4816
To establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs a national center
for the diagnosis, treatment, and research of health conditions of the
descendants of veterans exposed to toxic substances during service in
the Armed Forces, to provide certain services to those descendants, to
establish an advisory board on exposure to toxic substances, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 9, 2014
Mr. Honda (for himself, Mr. Grijalva, Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. Higgins, Ms.
Bordallo, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Keating, Mrs. Kirkpatrick, Ms. Lee of
California, and Mr. Welch) introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the
Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined
by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as
fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs a national center
for the diagnosis, treatment, and research of health conditions of the
descendants of veterans exposed to toxic substances during service in
the Armed Forces, to provide certain services to those descendants, to
establish an advisory board on exposure to toxic substances, 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![]()
.
This Act may be cited as the ``Toxic Exposure Research and Military
Family Support Act of 2014''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Armed force.--The term ``Armed Force'' means the United
States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard,
including the reserve components thereof.
(2) Descendant.--The term ``descendant'' means, with
respect to an individual, the biological child, grandchild, or
great-grandchild of that individual.
(3) Toxic substance.--The term ``toxic substance'' shall
have the meaning given that term by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs and shall include all substances that have been proven
by peer reviewed scientific research or a preponderance of
opinion in the medical community to lead to disabilities
related to the exposure of an individual to those substances
while serving as a member of the Armed Forces.
(4) Veteran.--The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given
that term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
SEC. 3. NATIONAL CENTER FOR THE DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, AND RESEARCH OF
HEALTH CONDITIONS OF THE DESCENDANTS OF INDIVIDUALS
EXPOSED TO TOXIC SUBSTANCES DURING SERVICE IN THE ARMED
FORCES.
(a) National Center.--
(1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall select a medical center of the Department of Veterans
Affairs to serve as the national center for the diagnosis,
treatment, and research of health conditions of descendants of
individuals exposed to toxic substances while serving as
members of the Armed Forces that are related to that exposure
(in this section referred to as the ``Center'').
(2) Criteria for selection.--The Center shall be selected
under paragraph (1) from among medical centers of the
Department with expertise in diagnosing and treating functional
and structural birth defects and caring for individuals exposed
to toxic substances, or that are affiliated with research
medical centers or teaching hospitals with such expertise, that
seek to be selected under this section.
(b) Functions.--
(1) Diagnosis and treatment.--
(A) In general.--The Center may diagnose and treat,
without charge, each patient for whom the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs has made the following determinations:
(i) The patient is a descendant of an
individual who served as a member of the Armed
Forces.
(ii) The individual was exposed to a toxic
substance while serving as a member of the
Armed Forces.
(iii) The patient is afflicted with a
health condition that is determined by the
advisory board established in section 4 to be a
health condition that results from the exposure
of that individual to that toxic substance.
(B) Treatment.--Treatment under this section is
limited to treatment of health conditions for which the
advisory board established in section 4 has made a
determination described in subparagraph (A)(iii).
(C) Additional diagnosis and treatment.--Nothing in
this section shall preclude a patient from receiving
additional diagnosis or treatment at the Center or
another facility of the Department in connection with
other health conditions or benefits to which the
individual is entitled under laws administered by the
Secretary.
(D) Recommendations for future treatment.--
Recommendations for future treatment of a patient shall
be transmitted to a primary care provider for that
patient, with follow-up consultations with the Center
scheduled as appropriate.
(E) Use of records.--
(i) In general.--The Secretary of Defense
or the head of a Federal agency may make
available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
for review records held by the Department of
Defense, an Armed Force, or that Federal
agency, as appropriate, that might assist the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs in making the
determinations required by subparagraph (A).
(ii) Mechanism.--The Secretary of Veterans
Affairs and the Secretary of Defense or the
head of the appropriate Federal agency may
jointly establish a mechanism for the
availability and review of records by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs under clause (i).
(2) Research.--The Center may conduct research on the
diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of descendants of
individuals exposed to toxic substances while serving as
members of the Armed Forces that are related to that exposure.
(3) Agent orange conditions.--The Center, in coordination
with the National Birth Defect Registry, shall track and
research the genetic link between individuals who are exposed
to Agent Orange and the medical conditions of the children of
such individuals.
(c) Social Workers.--The Center shall employ not less than one
licensed clinical social worker to coordinate access of patients to
appropriate Federal, State, and local social and healthcare programs
and to handle case management.
(d) Reimbursement for Necessary Travel and Room and Board.--The
Center may reimburse any parent, guardian, spouse, or sibling who
accompanies a patient diagnosed or treated pursuant to this section for
the reasonable cost of--
(1) travel to the Center for diagnosis or treatment of the
patient pursuant to this section; and
(2) room and board during the period in which the patient
is undergoing diagnosis or treatment at the Center pursuant to
this section.
(e) Report.--Not less frequently than annually, the Center shall
submit a report to Congress that includes the following:
(1) A summary of the extent and nature of care provided
pursuant to this section.
(2) A summary of the research efforts of the Center under
this section that have been completed within the previous year
and that are ongoing as of the date of the submission of the
report under this subsection.
SEC. 4. ADVISORY BOARD.
(a) Establishment.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
establish an advisory board (in this section referred to as the
``Advisory Board'') to advise the Center established under section 3,
to determine which health conditions result from exposure to toxic
substances, and to study and evaluate cases of exposure of current and
former members of the Armed Forces to toxic substances if such exposure
is related the service of the member in the Armed Forces.
(b) Membership.--
(1) Composition.--Not later than 150 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human
Services and other heads of Federal agencies as the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs determines appropriate, select not less
than 13 members of the Advisory Board, of whom--
(A) not less than three shall be members of
organizations exempt from taxation under section
501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
(B) not less than one shall be--
(i) a descendant of an individual who was
exposed to toxic substances while serving as a
member of the Armed Forces and the descendant
has manifested a birth defect or functional
disability as a result of the exposure of that
individual; or
(ii) a parent, child, or grandchild of that
descendant; and
(C) additional members may be selected from among--
(i) health professionals, scientists, and
academics with expertise in--
(I) birth defects;
(II) developmental disabilities;
(III) epigenetics;
(IV) public health;
(V) the science of environmental
exposure or environmental exposure
assessment; or
(VI) the science of toxic
substances;
(ii) social workers; and
(iii) advocates for veterans or members of
the Armed Forces.
(2) Chairperson.--The Secretary shall select a Chairperson
from among the members of the Advisory Board.
(3) Terms.--Each member of the Advisory Board shall serve a
term of two or three years as determined by the Secretary.
(c) Duties.--
(1) Advisory role with respect to the center.--With respect
to the Center established under section 3, the Advisory Board
shall--
(A) oversee and assess the work of the Center; and
(B) advise the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on--
(i) issues related to the provision of
treatment and care at the Center;
(ii) issues related to the research
conducted at the Center; and
(iii) the particular benefits and services
required by the descendants of individuals
exposed to toxic substances while serving as
members of the Armed Forces.
(2) Determination that health conditions resulted from
toxic exposure.--The Advisory Board shall determine which
health conditions in descendants of individuals exposed to
toxic substances while serving as members of the Armed Forces
are health conditions that resulted from the exposure of that
individual to that toxic substance for purposes of eligibility
for the following:
(A) Treatment of that descendant at the Center
established under section 3.
(B) Medical care for that descendant under section
1781 of title 38, United States Code.
(C) Support for the family caregiver of that
descendant under section 1720G(a) of such title.
(D) Support for the caregiver of that descendant
under section 1720G(b) of such title.
(3) Study and consideration of toxic substance exposure
claims.--
(A) In general.--The Advisory Board shall study and
evaluate claims of exposure to toxic substances by
current and former members of the Armed Forces that is
related to the service of the member in the Armed
Forces.
(B) Submission of claims.--Claims of exposure
described in subparagraph (A) may be submitted to the
Advisory Board in such form and in such manner as the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs may require by any of the
following individuals or entities:
(i) A member of the Armed Forces.
(ii) A veteran.
(iii) A descendant of a member of the Armed
Forces.
(iv) A descendant of a veteran.
(v) A veterans advocacy group.
(vi) An official of the Department of
Veterans Affairs with responsibility or
experience monitoring the health of current and
former members of the Armed Forces.
(vii) An official of the Department of
Defense with responsibility or experience
monitoring the health of current and former
members of the Armed Forces.
(C) Consideration of claims.--Not later than 180
days after receiving a claim submitted pursuant to
subparagraph (B), the Advisory Board shall consider the
claim and take one of the following actions:
(i) If the Advisory Board determines that
exposure to a toxic substance occurred to a
degree that an individual exposed to that
substance may have or develop a medical
condition that would qualify that individual
for health care or compensation from the
Department of Veterans Affairs or the
Department of Defense, the Advisory Board shall
submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs a
report described in subparagraph (D).
(ii) If the Advisory Board determines that
further consideration of the claim is necessary
to adequately assess the extent of exposure,
the Advisory Board shall refer the claim to the
Office of Extramural Research established under
section 5 to conduct further research and
report its findings to the Advisory Board.
(iii) If the Advisory Board determines that
exposure to a toxic substance did not occur or
occurred to a negligible extent, the Advisory
Board shall report such determination to the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
(D) Report.--If the Advisory Board makes a
determination under subparagraph (C)(i), the Advisory
Board shall submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
a report that contains the following:
(i) Evidence used by the Advisory Board in
making the determination under subparagraph
(C)(i), including, if appropriate, the
following:
(I) Scientific research, including
any research conducted by the Office of
Extramural Research established under
section 5.
(II) Peer-reviewed articles from
scientific journals relating to
exposure to toxic substances.
(III) Medical research conducted by
the Department of Veterans Affairs, the
Department of Defense, or the medical
community.
(ii) Recommendations on the extent to which
the Department of Veterans Affairs or the
Department of Defense should provide health
care, benefits, or other compensation with
respect to exposure to a toxic substance to the
following individuals:
(I) An individual exposed to a
toxic substance as determined under
subparagraph (C)(i).
(II) A descendant of that
individual.
(iii) Information on cost and attributable
exposure, as defined in regulations prescribed
pursuant to this Act.
(E) Publication of evidence.--
(i) In general.--Except as provided in
clause (ii), the Secretary shall publish in the
Federal Register the evidence described in
clause (i) of subparagraph (D) that is
submitted with the report required by that
subparagraph.
(ii) Exception.--Such evidence may not be
published if the Secretary determines that
preventing such publication--
(I) is in the national security
interest of the United States; or
(II) protects the privacy interests
of individuals exposed to toxic
substances.
(F) Subpoena authority.--The Advisory Board may
require by subpoena the attendance and testimony of
witnesses necessary to consider claims of exposure to
toxic substances under this paragraph.
(G) Cooperation of federal agencies.--The head of
each relevant Federal agency, including the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency,
shall cooperate fully with the Advisory Board for
purposes of considering claims of exposure to toxic
substances under this paragraph.
(d) Meetings.--The Advisory Board shall meet at the call of the
Chair, but not less frequently than semiannually.
(e) Compensation.--
(1) In general.--The members of the Advisory Board shall
serve without compensation.
(2) Travel expenses.--The members of the Advisory Board
shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies
under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States
Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business
in the performance of services for the Advisory Board.
(f) Personnel.--
(1) In general.--The Chairperson may, without regard to the
civil service laws and regulations, appoint an executive
director of the Advisory Board, who shall be a civilian
employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and such other
personnel as may be necessary to enable the Advisory Board to
perform its duties.
(2) Approval.--The appointment of an executive director
under paragraph (1) shall be subject to approval by the
Advisory Board.
(3) Compensation.--The Chairperson may fix the compensation
of the executive director and other personnel without regard to
the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53
of title 5, United States Code, except that the rate of pay for
the executive director and other personnel may not exceed the
rate payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under
section 5316 of such title.
SEC. 5. OFFICE OF EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH.
(a) Office.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
establish an Office of Extramural Research (in this section referred to
as the ``Office'')--
(1) to conduct research on wounds, illnesses, injuries, and
other conditions suffered by individuals as a result of
exposure to toxic substances while serving as members of the
Armed Forces; and
(2) to assist the Advisory Board established under section
4 in the consideration of claims of exposure to toxic
substances.
(b) Director.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall select a
Director of the Office.
(c) Grants.--
(1) In general.--Subject to approval by the advisory
council established under subsection (e), the Director may
award grants to reputable scientists and epidemiologists to
carry out this section.
(2) Exception.--The Director may not award grants to
individuals or organizations associated with or having an
interest in a chemical company or any other organization that
the Secretary determines may have an interest in the increased
use of toxic substances.
(d) Support to Advisory Board.--Not later than 180 days after
receiving a request from the Advisory Board established under section 4
to review a claim of exposure pursuant to subsection (c)(3)(C)(ii) of
that section, the Office shall submit a report to the Advisory Board
with one of the following determinations:
(1) A determination that exposure to a toxic substance
occurred to a degree that an individual exposed to that
substance may have or develop a medical condition that would
qualify that individual for health care or compensation from
the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of
Defense.
(2) A determination that further study of the claim is
necessary, to be carried out by, or under the direction of, the
Office in coordination with the Advisory Board.
(3) A determination that exposure to a toxic substance did
not occur or occurred to a negligible extent.
(e) Advisory Council.--
(1) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall establish an advisory council (in this section referred
to as the ``Council'') for the Office established under this
section.
(2) Membership.--
(A) Composition.--
(i) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall, in consultation with the
Secretary of Health and Human Services and any
other heads of Federal agencies as the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines
appropriate, select 11 members of the Council,
of whom--
(I) not less than three shall be
members of organizations exempt from
taxation under section 501(c)(19) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
(II) additional members may be
selected from among--
(aa) environmental
epidemiologists;
(bb) academics; and
(cc) veterans or the
descendants of veterans.
(ii) Requirements for scientists.--When
considering individuals who are members of the
scientific community for selection to the
Council, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may
select only those individuals--
(I) who have evidenced expertise in
and demonstrate a commitment to
research that leads to peer-reviewed
scientific evaluation of the wounds,
illnesses, injuries, and other
conditions that may arise from exposure
to toxic substances; and
(II) who are not associated with
and do not have an interest in a
chemical company or any other
organization that the Secretary
determines may have an interest in the
increased use of toxic substances.
(B) Chairperson.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall select a Chairperson from among the members of
the Council.
(C) Terms.--Each member of the Council shall serve
a term of two or three years as determined by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
(3) Duties.--The Council shall--
(A) approve or disapprove of grants proposed to be
awarded by the Director pursuant to subsection (c); and
(B) advise the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and
the Director on--
(i) establishing guidelines for grant
proposals and research proposals under this
section; and
(ii) assisting the Advisory Board
established under section 4 in the
consideration of claims of exposure to toxic
substances.
(4) Meetings.--The Council shall meet at the call of the
Chairperson, but not less frequently than semiannually.
(5) Compensation.--
(A) In general.--The members of the Council shall
serve without compensation.
(B) Travel expenses.--The members of the Council
shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in
lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees
of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title
5, United States Code, while away from their homes or
regular places of business in the performance of
services for the Council.
(f) Report.--Not later than two years after the establishment of
the Office under this section, the Director and the Chairman of the
Council shall jointly submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and
Congress a report that contains the following:
(1) A summary of the research efforts conducted and the
grants awarded under this section.
(2) A summary of the effects of exposure to toxic
substances studied pursuant to this section.
(3) Recommendations for steps to be taken to care for and
serve--
(A) individuals exposed to toxic substances while
serving as a member of the Armed Forces; and
(B) the progeny of those individuals.
SEC. 6. PROVISION OF DEPENDENT CARE AND CAREGIVER ASSISTANCE TO
DESCENDANTS OF VETERANS EXPOSED TO CERTAIN TOXIC
SUBSTANCES DURING SERVICE IN THE ARMED FORCES.
(a) Dependent Care.--Section 1781(a) of title 38, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``, and'' and inserting a
comma;
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking the semicolon at the end
and inserting ``, and''; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new
paragraph:
``(5) an individual who is the biological child,
grandchild, or great-grandchild of a veteran who the Secretary
has determined was exposed to a toxic substance while serving
as a member of the Armed Forces, if--
``(A) the individual has a health condition that is
determined by the Advisory Board established by section
4 of the Toxic Exposure Research and Military Family
Support Act of 2014 to be a health condition that
results from exposure to that toxic substance,
``(B) the individual is homebound as a result of
that health condition, and
``(C) the Secretary determines that the veteran has
or had the same health condition,''.
(b) Caregiver Assistance.--
(1) Comprehensive assistance.--Subsection (a) of section
1720G of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(A) by striking ``veteran'' each place it appears
(except for paragraph (2)(A)) and inserting
``individual'';
(B) by striking ``veterans'' each place it appears
and inserting ``individuals'';
(C) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B)
and inserting the following:
``(A)(i) is a veteran or member of the Armed Forces
undergoing medical discharge from the Armed Forces and has a
serious injury (including traumatic brain injury, psychological
trauma, or other mental disorder) incurred or aggravated in the
line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service on
or after September 11, 2001; or
``(ii) is the biological child, grandchild, or great-
grandchild of a veteran who the Secretary has determined was
exposed to a toxic substance while serving as a member of the
Armed Forces, if--
``(I) the individual has a health condition that is
determined by the Advisory Board established by section
4 of the Toxic Exposure Research and Military Family
Support Act of 2014 to be a health condition that
results from exposure to that toxic substance;
``(II) the individual is homebound as a result of
that health condition; and
``(III) the Secretary determines that the veteran
has or had the same health condition; and''; and
(ii) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as
subparagraph (B); and
(D) in paragraph (9)(C)(i), by striking
``veteran's'' and inserting ``individual's''.
(2) General caregiver support.--Subsection (b) of such
section is amended--
(A) by striking ``veteran'' each place it appears
and inserting ``individual'';
(B) by striking ``veterans'' each place it appears
and inserting ``individuals'';
(C) in paragraph (1), by striking ``who are'' and
all that follows through ``of this title''; and
(D) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by redesignating subparagraphs (A),
(B), and (C) as clauses (i), (ii), and (iii),
respectively; and
(ii) in the matter preceding clause (i), as
redesignated by clause (i), by striking ``any
individual who needs'' and inserting ``any
individual who--
``(A)(i) is enrolled in the health care system established
under section 1705(a) of this title; or
``(ii) is the biological child, grandchild, or great-
grandchild of a veteran who the Secretary has determined was
exposed to a toxic substance while serving as a member of the
Armed Forces, if--
``(I) the individual has a health condition that is
determined by the Advisory Board established by section
4 of the Toxic Exposure Research and Military Family
Support Act of 2014 to be a health condition that
results from exposure to that toxic substance;
``(II) the individual is homebound as a result of
that health condition; and
``(III) the Secretary determines that the veteran
has or had the same health condition; and
``(B) needs''.
(3) Definitions.--Subsection (d) of such section is
amended--
(A) by striking ``eligible veteran'' each place it
appears and inserting ``eligible individual'';
(B) by striking ``covered veteran'' each place it
appears and inserting ``covered individual'';
(C) in paragraph (1), by striking ``the veteran''
and inserting ``the eligible individual or covered
individual'';
(D) in paragraph (2), by striking ``the veteran''
and inserting ``the eligible individual'';
(E) in paragraph (3), by striking ``the veteran''
each place it appears and inserting ``the eligible
individual'';
(F) in paragraph (4), by striking ``the veteran''
and inserting ``the eligible individual or covered
individual''; and
(G) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) The term `toxic substance' has the meaning given that
term in section 2 of the Toxic Exposure Research and Military
Family Support Act of 2014.''.
(c) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Beneficiary travel.--Section 111 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (b)(1), by adding at the end the
following new subparagraph:
``(G) An individual described in section 1720G(a)(2)(A)(ii)
of this title.''; and
(B) in subsection (e)--
(i) by striking ``veteran'' each place it
appears (except for paragraph (2)(B)) and
inserting ``individual''; and
(ii) in paragraph (2)(B)--
(I) by striking ``a veteran'' and
inserting ``an individual''; and
(II) by striking ``such veteran''
and inserting ``such individual''.
(2) Counseling, training, and mental health services.--
Section 1782(c)(2) of such title is amended by striking ``an
eligible veteran or a caregiver of a covered veteran'' and
inserting ``a veteran who is an eligible individual or a
caregiver of a veteran who is a covered individual''.
SEC. 7. DECLASSIFICATION BY DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OF CERTAIN INCIDENTS
OF EXPOSURE OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES TO TOXIC
SUBSTANCES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense may declassify documents
related to any known incident in which not less than 100 members of the
Armed Forces were exposed to a toxic substance that resulted in at
least one case of a disability that a member of the medical profession
has determined to be associated with that toxic substance.
(b) Limitation.--The declassification authorized by subsection (a)
shall be limited to information necessary for an individual who was
potentially exposed to a toxic substance to determine the following:
(1) Whether that individual was exposed to that toxic
substance.
(2) The potential severity of the exposure of that
individual to that toxic substance.
(3) Any potential health conditions that may have resulted
from exposure to that toxic substance.
(c) Exception.--The Secretary of Defense is not required to
declassify documents if the Secretary determines that declassification
of those documents would materially and immediately threaten the
security of the United States.
SEC. 8. NATIONAL OUTREACH CAMPAIGN ON POTENTIAL LONG-TERM HEALTH
EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO TOXIC SUBSTANCES BY MEMBERS OF THE
ARMED FORCES AND THEIR DESCENDANTS.
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Health and
Human Services, and the Secretary of Defense shall jointly conduct a
national outreach and education campaign directed towards members of
the Armed Forces, veterans, and their family members to communicate the
following information:
(1) Information on--
(A) incidents of exposure of members of the Armed
Forces to toxic substances;
(B) health conditions resulting from such exposure;
and
(C) the potential long-term effects of such
exposure on the individuals exposed to those substances
and the descendants of those individuals.
(2) Information on the national center established under
section 3 of this Act for individuals eligible for treatment at
the center.
[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
[H.R. 4816 Introduced in House (IH)]
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4816
To establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs a national center
for the diagnosis, treatment, and research of health conditions of the
descendants of veterans exposed to toxic substances during service in
the Armed Forces, to provide certain services to those descendants, to
establish an advisory board on exposure to toxic substances, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 9, 2014
Mr. Honda (for himself, Mr. Grijalva, Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. Higgins, Ms.
Bordallo, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Keating, Mrs. Kirkpatrick, Ms. Lee of
California, and Mr. Welch) introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the
Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined
by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as
fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs a national center
for the diagnosis, treatment, and research of health conditions of the
descendants of veterans exposed to toxic substances during service in
the Armed Forces, to provide certain services to those descendants, to
establish an advisory board on exposure to toxic substances, 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
This Act may be cited as the ``Toxic Exposure Research and Military
Family Support Act of 2014''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Armed force.--The term ``Armed Force'' means the United
States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard,
including the reserve components thereof.
(2) Descendant.--The term ``descendant'' means, with
respect to an individual, the biological child, grandchild, or
great-grandchild of that individual.
(3) Toxic substance.--The term ``toxic substance'' shall
have the meaning given that term by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs and shall include all substances that have been proven
by peer reviewed scientific research or a preponderance of
opinion in the medical community to lead to disabilities
related to the exposure of an individual to those substances
while serving as a member of the Armed Forces.
(4) Veteran.--The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given
that term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
SEC. 3. NATIONAL CENTER FOR THE DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, AND RESEARCH OF
HEALTH CONDITIONS OF THE DESCENDANTS OF INDIVIDUALS
EXPOSED TO TOXIC SUBSTANCES DURING SERVICE IN THE ARMED
FORCES.
(a) National Center.--
(1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall select a medical center of the Department of Veterans
Affairs to serve as the national center for the diagnosis,
treatment, and research of health conditions of descendants of
individuals exposed to toxic substances while serving as
members of the Armed Forces that are related to that exposure
(in this section referred to as the ``Center'').
(2) Criteria for selection.--The Center shall be selected
under paragraph (1) from among medical centers of the
Department with expertise in diagnosing and treating functional
and structural birth defects and caring for individuals exposed
to toxic substances, or that are affiliated with research
medical centers or teaching hospitals with such expertise, that
seek to be selected under this section.
(b) Functions.--
(1) Diagnosis and treatment.--
(A) In general.--The Center may diagnose and treat,
without charge, each patient for whom the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs has made the following determinations:
(i) The patient is a descendant of an
individual who served as a member of the Armed
Forces.
(ii) The individual was exposed to a toxic
substance while serving as a member of the
Armed Forces.
(iii) The patient is afflicted with a
health condition that is determined by the
advisory board established in section 4 to be a
health condition that results from the exposure
of that individual to that toxic substance.
(B) Treatment.--Treatment under this section is
limited to treatment of health conditions for which the
advisory board established in section 4 has made a
determination described in subparagraph (A)(iii).
(C) Additional diagnosis and treatment.--Nothing in
this section shall preclude a patient from receiving
additional diagnosis or treatment at the Center or
another facility of the Department in connection with
other health conditions or benefits to which the
individual is entitled under laws administered by the
Secretary.
(D) Recommendations for future treatment.--
Recommendations for future treatment of a patient shall
be transmitted to a primary care provider for that
patient, with follow-up consultations with the Center
scheduled as appropriate.
(E) Use of records.--
(i) In general.--The Secretary of Defense
or the head of a Federal agency may make
available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
for review records held by the Department of
Defense, an Armed Force, or that Federal
agency, as appropriate, that might assist the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs in making the
determinations required by subparagraph (A).
(ii) Mechanism.--The Secretary of Veterans
Affairs and the Secretary of Defense or the
head of the appropriate Federal agency may
jointly establish a mechanism for the
availability and review of records by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs under clause (i).
(2) Research.--The Center may conduct research on the
diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of descendants of
individuals exposed to toxic substances while serving as
members of the Armed Forces that are related to that exposure.
(3) Agent orange conditions.--The Center, in coordination
with the National Birth Defect Registry, shall track and
research the genetic link between individuals who are exposed
to Agent Orange and the medical conditions of the children of
such individuals.
(c) Social Workers.--The Center shall employ not less than one
licensed clinical social worker to coordinate access of patients to
appropriate Federal, State, and local social and healthcare programs
and to handle case management.
(d) Reimbursement for Necessary Travel and Room and Board.--The
Center may reimburse any parent, guardian, spouse, or sibling who
accompanies a patient diagnosed or treated pursuant to this section for
the reasonable cost of--
(1) travel to the Center for diagnosis or treatment of the
patient pursuant to this section; and
(2) room and board during the period in which the patient
is undergoing diagnosis or treatment at the Center pursuant to
this section.
(e) Report.--Not less frequently than annually, the Center shall
submit a report to Congress that includes the following:
(1) A summary of the extent and nature of care provided
pursuant to this section.
(2) A summary of the research efforts of the Center under
this section that have been completed within the previous year
and that are ongoing as of the date of the submission of the
report under this subsection.
SEC. 4. ADVISORY BOARD.
(a) Establishment.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
establish an advisory board (in this section referred to as the
``Advisory Board'') to advise the Center established under section 3,
to determine which health conditions result from exposure to toxic
substances, and to study and evaluate cases of exposure of current and
former members of the Armed Forces to toxic substances if such exposure
is related the service of the member in the Armed Forces.
(b) Membership.--
(1) Composition.--Not later than 150 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human
Services and other heads of Federal agencies as the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs determines appropriate, select not less
than 13 members of the Advisory Board, of whom--
(A) not less than three shall be members of
organizations exempt from taxation under section
501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
(B) not less than one shall be--
(i) a descendant of an individual who was
exposed to toxic substances while serving as a
member of the Armed Forces and the descendant
has manifested a birth defect or functional
disability as a result of the exposure of that
individual; or
(ii) a parent, child, or grandchild of that
descendant; and
(C) additional members may be selected from among--
(i) health professionals, scientists, and
academics with expertise in--
(I) birth defects;
(II) developmental disabilities;
(III) epigenetics;
(IV) public health;
(V) the science of environmental
exposure or environmental exposure
assessment; or
(VI) the science of toxic
substances;
(ii) social workers; and
(iii) advocates for veterans or members of
the Armed Forces.
(2) Chairperson.--The Secretary shall select a Chairperson
from among the members of the Advisory Board.
(3) Terms.--Each member of the Advisory Board shall serve a
term of two or three years as determined by the Secretary.
(c) Duties.--
(1) Advisory role with respect to the center.--With respect
to the Center established under section 3, the Advisory Board
shall--
(A) oversee and assess the work of the Center; and
(B) advise the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on--
(i) issues related to the provision of
treatment and care at the Center;
(ii) issues related to the research
conducted at the Center; and
(iii) the particular benefits and services
required by the descendants of individuals
exposed to toxic substances while serving as
members of the Armed Forces.
(2) Determination that health conditions resulted from
toxic exposure.--The Advisory Board shall determine which
health conditions in descendants of individuals exposed to
toxic substances while serving as members of the Armed Forces
are health conditions that resulted from the exposure of that
individual to that toxic substance for purposes of eligibility
for the following:
(A) Treatment of that descendant at the Center
established under section 3.
(B) Medical care for that descendant under section
1781 of title 38, United States Code.
(C) Support for the family caregiver of that
descendant under section 1720G(a) of such title.
(D) Support for the caregiver of that descendant
under section 1720G(b) of such title.
(3) Study and consideration of toxic substance exposure
claims.--
(A) In general.--The Advisory Board shall study and
evaluate claims of exposure to toxic substances by
current and former members of the Armed Forces that is
related to the service of the member in the Armed
Forces.
(B) Submission of claims.--Claims of exposure
described in subparagraph (A) may be submitted to the
Advisory Board in such form and in such manner as the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs may require by any of the
following individuals or entities:
(i) A member of the Armed Forces.
(ii) A veteran.
(iii) A descendant of a member of the Armed
Forces.
(iv) A descendant of a veteran.
(v) A veterans advocacy group.
(vi) An official of the Department of
Veterans Affairs with responsibility or
experience monitoring the health of current and
former members of the Armed Forces.
(vii) An official of the Department of
Defense with responsibility or experience
monitoring the health of current and former
members of the Armed Forces.
(C) Consideration of claims.--Not later than 180
days after receiving a claim submitted pursuant to
subparagraph (B), the Advisory Board shall consider the
claim and take one of the following actions:
(i) If the Advisory Board determines that
exposure to a toxic substance occurred to a
degree that an individual exposed to that
substance may have or develop a medical
condition that would qualify that individual
for health care or compensation from the
Department of Veterans Affairs or the
Department of Defense, the Advisory Board shall
submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs a
report described in subparagraph (D).
(ii) If the Advisory Board determines that
further consideration of the claim is necessary
to adequately assess the extent of exposure,
the Advisory Board shall refer the claim to the
Office of Extramural Research established under
section 5 to conduct further research and
report its findings to the Advisory Board.
(iii) If the Advisory Board determines that
exposure to a toxic substance did not occur or
occurred to a negligible extent, the Advisory
Board shall report such determination to the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
(D) Report.--If the Advisory Board makes a
determination under subparagraph (C)(i), the Advisory
Board shall submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
a report that contains the following:
(i) Evidence used by the Advisory Board in
making the determination under subparagraph
(C)(i), including, if appropriate, the
following:
(I) Scientific research, including
any research conducted by the Office of
Extramural Research established under
section 5.
(II) Peer-reviewed articles from
scientific journals relating to
exposure to toxic substances.
(III) Medical research conducted by
the Department of Veterans Affairs, the
Department of Defense, or the medical
community.
(ii) Recommendations on the extent to which
the Department of Veterans Affairs or the
Department of Defense should provide health
care, benefits, or other compensation with
respect to exposure to a toxic substance to the
following individuals:
(I) An individual exposed to a
toxic substance as determined under
subparagraph (C)(i).
(II) A descendant of that
individual.
(iii) Information on cost and attributable
exposure, as defined in regulations prescribed
pursuant to this Act.
(E) Publication of evidence.--
(i) In general.--Except as provided in
clause (ii), the Secretary shall publish in the
Federal Register the evidence described in
clause (i) of subparagraph (D) that is
submitted with the report required by that
subparagraph.
(ii) Exception.--Such evidence may not be
published if the Secretary determines that
preventing such publication--
(I) is in the national security
interest of the United States; or
(II) protects the privacy interests
of individuals exposed to toxic
substances.
(F) Subpoena authority.--The Advisory Board may
require by subpoena the attendance and testimony of
witnesses necessary to consider claims of exposure to
toxic substances under this paragraph.
(G) Cooperation of federal agencies.--The head of
each relevant Federal agency, including the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency,
shall cooperate fully with the Advisory Board for
purposes of considering claims of exposure to toxic
substances under this paragraph.
(d) Meetings.--The Advisory Board shall meet at the call of the
Chair, but not less frequently than semiannually.
(e) Compensation.--
(1) In general.--The members of the Advisory Board shall
serve without compensation.
(2) Travel expenses.--The members of the Advisory Board
shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies
under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States
Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business
in the performance of services for the Advisory Board.
(f) Personnel.--
(1) In general.--The Chairperson may, without regard to the
civil service laws and regulations, appoint an executive
director of the Advisory Board, who shall be a civilian
employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and such other
personnel as may be necessary to enable the Advisory Board to
perform its duties.
(2) Approval.--The appointment of an executive director
under paragraph (1) shall be subject to approval by the
Advisory Board.
(3) Compensation.--The Chairperson may fix the compensation
of the executive director and other personnel without regard to
the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53
of title 5, United States Code, except that the rate of pay for
the executive director and other personnel may not exceed the
rate payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under
section 5316 of such title.
SEC. 5. OFFICE OF EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH.
(a) Office.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
establish an Office of Extramural Research (in this section referred to
as the ``Office'')--
(1) to conduct research on wounds, illnesses, injuries, and
other conditions suffered by individuals as a result of
exposure to toxic substances while serving as members of the
Armed Forces; and
(2) to assist the Advisory Board established under section
4 in the consideration of claims of exposure to toxic
substances.
(b) Director.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall select a
Director of the Office.
(c) Grants.--
(1) In general.--Subject to approval by the advisory
council established under subsection (e), the Director may
award grants to reputable scientists and epidemiologists to
carry out this section.
(2) Exception.--The Director may not award grants to
individuals or organizations associated with or having an
interest in a chemical company or any other organization that
the Secretary determines may have an interest in the increased
use of toxic substances.
(d) Support to Advisory Board.--Not later than 180 days after
receiving a request from the Advisory Board established under section 4
to review a claim of exposure pursuant to subsection (c)(3)(C)(ii) of
that section, the Office shall submit a report to the Advisory Board
with one of the following determinations:
(1) A determination that exposure to a toxic substance
occurred to a degree that an individual exposed to that
substance may have or develop a medical condition that would
qualify that individual for health care or compensation from
the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of
Defense.
(2) A determination that further study of the claim is
necessary, to be carried out by, or under the direction of, the
Office in coordination with the Advisory Board.
(3) A determination that exposure to a toxic substance did
not occur or occurred to a negligible extent.
(e) Advisory Council.--
(1) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall establish an advisory council (in this section referred
to as the ``Council'') for the Office established under this
section.
(2) Membership.--
(A) Composition.--
(i) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall, in consultation with the
Secretary of Health and Human Services and any
other heads of Federal agencies as the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines
appropriate, select 11 members of the Council,
of whom--
(I) not less than three shall be
members of organizations exempt from
taxation under section 501(c)(19) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
(II) additional members may be
selected from among--
(aa) environmental
epidemiologists;
(bb) academics; and
(cc) veterans or the
descendants of veterans.
(ii) Requirements for scientists.--When
considering individuals who are members of the
scientific community for selection to the
Council, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may
select only those individuals--
(I) who have evidenced expertise in
and demonstrate a commitment to
research that leads to peer-reviewed
scientific evaluation of the wounds,
illnesses, injuries, and other
conditions that may arise from exposure
to toxic substances; and
(II) who are not associated with
and do not have an interest in a
chemical company or any other
organization that the Secretary
determines may have an interest in the
increased use of toxic substances.
(B) Chairperson.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall select a Chairperson from among the members of
the Council.
(C) Terms.--Each member of the Council shall serve
a term of two or three years as determined by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
(3) Duties.--The Council shall--
(A) approve or disapprove of grants proposed to be
awarded by the Director pursuant to subsection (c); and
(B) advise the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and
the Director on--
(i) establishing guidelines for grant
proposals and research proposals under this
section; and
(ii) assisting the Advisory Board
established under section 4 in the
consideration of claims of exposure to toxic
substances.
(4) Meetings.--The Council shall meet at the call of the
Chairperson, but not less frequently than semiannually.
(5) Compensation.--
(A) In general.--The members of the Council shall
serve without compensation.
(B) Travel expenses.--The members of the Council
shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in
lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees
of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title
5, United States Code, while away from their homes or
regular places of business in the performance of
services for the Council.
(f) Report.--Not later than two years after the establishment of
the Office under this section, the Director and the Chairman of the
Council shall jointly submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and
Congress a report that contains the following:
(1) A summary of the research efforts conducted and the
grants awarded under this section.
(2) A summary of the effects of exposure to toxic
substances studied pursuant to this section.
(3) Recommendations for steps to be taken to care for and
serve--
(A) individuals exposed to toxic substances while
serving as a member of the Armed Forces; and
(B) the progeny of those individuals.
SEC. 6. PROVISION OF DEPENDENT CARE AND CAREGIVER ASSISTANCE TO
DESCENDANTS OF VETERANS EXPOSED TO CERTAIN TOXIC
SUBSTANCES DURING SERVICE IN THE ARMED FORCES.
(a) Dependent Care.--Section 1781(a) of title 38, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``, and'' and inserting a
comma;
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking the semicolon at the end
and inserting ``, and''; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new
paragraph:
``(5) an individual who is the biological child,
grandchild, or great-grandchild of a veteran who the Secretary
has determined was exposed to a toxic substance while serving
as a member of the Armed Forces, if--
``(A) the individual has a health condition that is
determined by the Advisory Board established by section
4 of the Toxic Exposure Research and Military Family
Support Act of 2014 to be a health condition that
results from exposure to that toxic substance,
``(B) the individual is homebound as a result of
that health condition, and
``(C) the Secretary determines that the veteran has
or had the same health condition,''.
(b) Caregiver Assistance.--
(1) Comprehensive assistance.--Subsection (a) of section
1720G of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(A) by striking ``veteran'' each place it appears
(except for paragraph (2)(A)) and inserting
``individual'';
(B) by striking ``veterans'' each place it appears
and inserting ``individuals'';
(C) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B)
and inserting the following:
``(A)(i) is a veteran or member of the Armed Forces
undergoing medical discharge from the Armed Forces and has a
serious injury (including traumatic brain injury, psychological
trauma, or other mental disorder) incurred or aggravated in the
line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service on
or after September 11, 2001; or
``(ii) is the biological child, grandchild, or great-
grandchild of a veteran who the Secretary has determined was
exposed to a toxic substance while serving as a member of the
Armed Forces, if--
``(I) the individual has a health condition that is
determined by the Advisory Board established by section
4 of the Toxic Exposure Research and Military Family
Support Act of 2014 to be a health condition that
results from exposure to that toxic substance;
``(II) the individual is homebound as a result of
that health condition; and
``(III) the Secretary determines that the veteran
has or had the same health condition; and''; and
(ii) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as
subparagraph (B); and
(D) in paragraph (9)(C)(i), by striking
``veteran's'' and inserting ``individual's''.
(2) General caregiver support.--Subsection (b) of such
section is amended--
(A) by striking ``veteran'' each place it appears
and inserting ``individual'';
(B) by striking ``veterans'' each place it appears
and inserting ``individuals'';
(C) in paragraph (1), by striking ``who are'' and
all that follows through ``of this title''; and
(D) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by redesignating subparagraphs (A),
(B), and (C) as clauses (i), (ii), and (iii),
respectively; and
(ii) in the matter preceding clause (i), as
redesignated by clause (i), by striking ``any
individual who needs'' and inserting ``any
individual who--
``(A)(i) is enrolled in the health care system established
under section 1705(a) of this title; or
``(ii) is the biological child, grandchild, or great-
grandchild of a veteran who the Secretary has determined was
exposed to a toxic substance while serving as a member of the
Armed Forces, if--
``(I) the individual has a health condition that is
determined by the Advisory Board established by section
4 of the Toxic Exposure Research and Military Family
Support Act of 2014 to be a health condition that
results from exposure to that toxic substance;
``(II) the individual is homebound as a result of
that health condition; and
``(III) the Secretary determines that the veteran
has or had the same health condition; and
``(B) needs''.
(3) Definitions.--Subsection (d) of such section is
amended--
(A) by striking ``eligible veteran'' each place it
appears and inserting ``eligible individual'';
(B) by striking ``covered veteran'' each place it
appears and inserting ``covered individual'';
(C) in paragraph (1), by striking ``the veteran''
and inserting ``the eligible individual or covered
individual'';
(D) in paragraph (2), by striking ``the veteran''
and inserting ``the eligible individual'';
(E) in paragraph (3), by striking ``the veteran''
each place it appears and inserting ``the eligible
individual'';
(F) in paragraph (4), by striking ``the veteran''
and inserting ``the eligible individual or covered
individual''; and
(G) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) The term `toxic substance' has the meaning given that
term in section 2 of the Toxic Exposure Research and Military
Family Support Act of 2014.''.
(c) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Beneficiary travel.--Section 111 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (b)(1), by adding at the end the
following new subparagraph:
``(G) An individual described in section 1720G(a)(2)(A)(ii)
of this title.''; and
(B) in subsection (e)--
(i) by striking ``veteran'' each place it
appears (except for paragraph (2)(B)) and
inserting ``individual''; and
(ii) in paragraph (2)(B)--
(I) by striking ``a veteran'' and
inserting ``an individual''; and
(II) by striking ``such veteran''
and inserting ``such individual''.
(2) Counseling, training, and mental health services.--
Section 1782(c)(2) of such title is amended by striking ``an
eligible veteran or a caregiver of a covered veteran'' and
inserting ``a veteran who is an eligible individual or a
caregiver of a veteran who is a covered individual''.
SEC. 7. DECLASSIFICATION BY DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OF CERTAIN INCIDENTS
OF EXPOSURE OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES TO TOXIC
SUBSTANCES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense may declassify documents
related to any known incident in which not less than 100 members of the
Armed Forces were exposed to a toxic substance that resulted in at
least one case of a disability that a member of the medical profession
has determined to be associated with that toxic substance.
(b) Limitation.--The declassification authorized by subsection (a)
shall be limited to information necessary for an individual who was
potentially exposed to a toxic substance to determine the following:
(1) Whether that individual was exposed to that toxic
substance.
(2) The potential severity of the exposure of that
individual to that toxic substance.
(3) Any potential health conditions that may have resulted
from exposure to that toxic substance.
(c) Exception.--The Secretary of Defense is not required to
declassify documents if the Secretary determines that declassification
of those documents would materially and immediately threaten the
security of the United States.
SEC. 8. NATIONAL OUTREACH CAMPAIGN ON POTENTIAL LONG-TERM HEALTH
EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO TOXIC SUBSTANCES BY MEMBERS OF THE
ARMED FORCES AND THEIR DESCENDANTS.
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Health and
Human Services, and the Secretary of Defense shall jointly conduct a
national outreach and education campaign directed towards members of
the Armed Forces, veterans, and their family members to communicate the
following information:
(1) Information on--
(A) incidents of exposure of members of the Armed
Forces to toxic substances;
(B) health conditions resulting from such exposure;
and
(C) the potential long-term effects of such
exposure on the individuals exposed to those substances
and the descendants of those individuals.
(2) Information on the national center established under
section 3 of this Act for individuals eligible for treatment at
the center.