Pandemic Care for Burn Pits Exposure Act of 2020

To require the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to evaluate members of the Armed Forces and veterans who have tested positive for a virus certified as a pandemic for potential exposure to open burn pits and toxic airborne chemicals or other airborne contaminants, to conduct a study on the impact of such a pandemic on members and veterans with such exposure, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Pandemic Care for Burn Pits Exposure Act of 2020 2. Exposure to open burn pits and toxic airborne chemicals or other airborne contaminants as part of health assessments for members of the Armed Forces and veterans during a pandemic and inclusion of information in registry (a) Health assessment The Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that the first health assessment conducted for a member of the Armed Forces or veteran after the individual tested positive for a virus certified by the Federal Government as a pandemic includes an evaluation of whether the individual has been— (1) based or stationed at a location where an open burn pit was used; or (2) exposed to toxic airborne chemicals or other airborne contaminants relating to service in the Armed Forces, including an evaluation of any information recorded as part of the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry. (b) Inclusion of individuals in registry If an evaluation conducted under subsection (a) with respect to an individual establishes that the individual was based or stationed at a location where an open burn pit was used, or that the individual was exposed to toxic airborne chemicals or other airborne contaminants, the individual shall be enrolled in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry unless the member elects to not enroll in such registry. (c) Rule of construction Nothing in this section may be construed to preclude eligibility of a veteran for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs by reason of the history of exposure of the veteran to an open burn pit not being recorded in an evaluation conducted under subsection (a). (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry The term Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry Public Law 112–260 38 U.S.C. 527 (2) Open burn pit The term open burn pit Public Law 112–260 38 U.S.C. 527 3. Study on impact of viral pandemics on members of Armed Forces and veterans who have experienced toxic exposure (a) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a study, through the Airborne Hazards and Burn Pits Center of Excellence (in this section referred to as the Center (b) Preparation for future pandemic The Secretary, through the Center, shall analyze potential lessons learned through the study conducted under subsection (a) to assist in preparing the Department of Veterans Affairs for potential future pandemics. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Coronavirus The term coronavirus Public Law 116–123 (2) Open burn pit The term open burn pit Public Law 112–260 38 U.S.C. 527

Summary: Pandemic Care for Burn Pits Exposure Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that the first health assessment conducted for a member of the Armed Forces or veteran after such an individual tests positive for a virus certified as a pandemic includes an evaluation of whether the individual has been (1) based or stationed at a location where an open burn pit was used, or (2) exposed to toxic airborne chemicals or contaminants relating to service in the Armed Forces. A burn pit is an area used for burning solid waste in open air without equipment. If such an evaluation establishes that an individual was based or stationed at a location where an open burn pit was used, or that the individual was exposed to toxic airborne chemicals or contaminants, the individual must be enrolled in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry unless they opt out of enrollment. The VA's Airborne Hazards and Burn Pits Center of Excellence must conduct a study on the health impacts of infection with a virus designated as a global pandemic, including the coronavirus (i.e., the virus that causes COVID-19), to members of the Armed Forces and veterans who have been exposed to open burn pits and other toxic exposures. The study must be analyzed to assist in preparation for potential future pandemics.