Toxic Exposure Education for Servicemembers Act of 2023

Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:  <p><strong>Toxic Exposure Education for Servicemembers Act of 2023</strong></p> <p>This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish a new risk assessment for toxic exposure for members of the Armed Forces who are assigned to work near burn pits (i.e., areas used for burning solid waste in open air without equipment). DOD must also establish an outreach program to inform such members regarding toxic exposure.</p> <p>Additionally, DOD must publish on its website a list of resources for members and veterans who experienced toxic exposure while serving as a member of the Armed Forces, dependents and caregivers of such members and veterans, and survivors of such members and veterans who received death benefits.</p>

<html><body><pre>[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2469 Introduced in House (IH)]

&lt;DOC&gt;






118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2469

To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish an outreach program to 
inform members of the Armed Forces, assigned to work near burn pits, of 
          the risks of toxic exposure, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 3, 2023

   Mr. Ruiz introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                      Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish an outreach program to 
inform members of the Armed Forces, assigned to work near burn pits, of 
          the risks of toxic exposure, 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 ``Toxic Exposure Education for 
Servicemembers Act of 2023''.

SEC. 2. OUTREACH TO MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES REGARDING POSSIBLE 
              TOXIC EXPOSURE.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall establish--
            (1) a new risk assessment for toxic exposure for members of 
        the Armed Forces assigned to work near burn pits; and
            (2) an outreach program to inform such members regarding 
        such toxic exposure. Such program shall include information 
        regarding benefits and support programs furnished by the 
        Secretary (including eligibility requirements and timelines) 
        regarding toxic exposure.
    (b) Promotion.--The Secretary of Defense shall promote the program 
to members described in subsection (a) by direct mail, email, text 
messaging, and social media.
    (c) Publication.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall publish on a 
website of the Department of Defense a list of resources furnished by 
the Secretary for--
            (1) members and veterans who experienced toxic exposure in 
        the course of serving as a member of the Armed Forces;
            (2) dependents and caregivers of such members and veterans; 
        and
            (3) survivors of such members and veterans who receive 
        death benefits under laws administered by the Secretary.
    (d) Toxic Exposure Defined.--In this section, the term ``toxic 
exposure'' has the meaning given such term in section 101 of title 38, 
United States Code.
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