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H.R. 1769

Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2016

Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2016

(Sec. 3) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to select a VA medical center to serve as the national center for research on the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of the biological children or grandchildren of individuals exposed to toxic substances while serving as members of the Armed Forces that are related to such exposure.

The bill requires: (1) the Department of Defense (DOD) or the head of a federal agency to make available to the VA for review records held by DOD, an Armed Force, or that federal agency that might assist the VA in making determinations regarding individuals and descendents afflicted with an exposure-related health condition; (2) the VA and DOD or such agency head to jointly establish a mechanism for VA review of records; and (3) the national center to employ at least one licensed clinical social worker to coordinate access of individuals to appropriate social and health care programs and to handle case management.

(Sec. 4) The VA shall establish an Advisory Board to oversee and assess the national center and to advise the VA regarding the center's work.

The board shall report on its recommendations at least once a year.

(Sec. 5) DOD shall: (1) conduct a declassification review to determine what information may be made publicly available related to any known incident in which at least 100 members of the Armed Forces were exposed to a toxic substance that resulted in at least one case of a disability that an occupational medicine specialist has determined to be credibly associated with such substance; and (2) make such information available consistent with national security and limited to information necessary for determining whether an individual was exposed to such substance, the severity of exposure, and any potential health conditions resulting from such exposure.

(Sec. 6) The VA shall conduct a national outreach and education campaign directed toward members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their family members to communicate information on: (1) incidents of exposure of members of the Armed Forces to toxic substances, health conditions resulting from such exposure, and potential long-term effects; and (2) the national center for individuals eligible to participate in national center studies.

DOD and the Department of Health and Human Services shall assist the VA in implementing such campaign.

(Sec. 7) No additional funds are authorized to carry out this bill.

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 460.

Rep. Benishek, Dan [R-MI-1](R-MI)Sponsor
201 cosponsors117 D84 R
201cosponsors2committees18actions2related bills15subjects
  1. CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 460.

  2. DischargeH12300

    Committee on Armed Services discharged.

    Armed Services Committee
  3. Committee5500

    Committee on Armed Services discharged.

    Armed Services Committee
  4. CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 114-592, Part I.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  5. Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 114-592, Part I.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  6. Committee

    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  7. Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  8. Committee

    Subcommittee on Health Discharged.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  9. Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

    Military Personnel Subcommittee
  10. Committee

    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .

    Health Subcommittee
  11. Committee

    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Health Subcommittee
  12. Committee

    Subcommittee Hearings Held.

    Health Subcommittee
  13. Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

    Health Subcommittee
  14. IntroReferralH11100

    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.

    Armed Services Committee
  15. IntroReferralH11100-A

    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.

  16. IntroReferralH11100

    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.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  17. IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  18. IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

May 24, 201618

Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2016

(Sec. 3) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to select a VA medical center to serve as the national center for research on the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of the biological children or grandchildren of individuals exposed to toxic substances while serving as members of the Armed Forces that are related to such exposure.

The bill requires: (1) the Department of Defense (DOD) or the head of a federal agency to make available to the VA for review records held by DOD, an Armed Force, or that federal agency that might assist the VA in making determinations regarding individuals and descendents afflicted with an exposure-related health condition; (2) the VA and DOD or such agency head to jointly establish a mechanism for VA review of records; and (3) the national center to employ at least one licensed clinical social worker to coordinate access of individuals to appropriate social and health care programs and to handle case management.

(Sec. 4) The VA shall establish an Advisory Board to oversee and assess the national center and to advise the VA regarding the center's work.

The board shall report on its recommendations at least once a year.

(Sec. 5) DOD shall: (1) conduct a declassification review to determine what information may be made publicly available related to any known incident in which at least 100 members of the Armed Forces were exposed to a toxic substance that resulted in at least one case of a disability that an occupational medicine specialist has determined to be credibly associated with such substance; and (2) make such information available consistent with national security and limited to information necessary for determining whether an individual was exposed to such substance, the severity of exposure, and any potential health conditions resulting from such exposure.

(Sec. 6) The VA shall conduct a national outreach and education campaign directed toward members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their family members to communicate information on: (1) incidents of exposure of members of the Armed Forces to toxic substances, health conditions resulting from such exposure, and potential long-term effects; and (2) the national center for individuals eligible to participate in national center studies.

DOD and the Department of Health and Human Services shall assist the VA in implementing such campaign.

(Sec. 7) No additional funds are authorized to carry out this bill.

Apr 14, 2015

Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015

Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to select a VA medical center to serve as the national center for research on the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of the biological children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren of individuals exposed to toxic substances while serving as members of the Armed Forces that are related to such exposure.

Requires: (1) the Department of Defense (DOD) or the head of a federal agency to make available to the VA for review records held by DOD, an Armed Force, or that federal agency that might assist the VA in making determinations regarding individuals and descendents afflicted with a health condition as a result of such exposure; (2) the VA and DOD or such agency head to jointly establish a mechanism for the availability and review of records by the VA; and (3) the national center to employ at least one licensed clinical social worker to coordinate access of individuals to appropriate social and health care programs and to handle case management.

Establishes an Advisory Board to oversee and assess the national center and to advise the VA regarding the center's work.

Directs DOD to declassify documents (other than documents that would materially and immediately threaten national security) related to any known incident in which at least 100 members of the Armed Forces were exposed to a toxic substance that resulted in at least one case of an associated disability.

Directs the VA to conduct a national outreach and education campaign directed toward members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their family members to communicate information on: (1) incidents of exposure of members of the Armed Forces to toxic substances, health conditions resulting from such exposure, and the potential long-term effects; and (2) the national center. Requires DOD and the Department of Health and Human Services to assist the VA in implementing such campaign.

Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2016 — Informed