I 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2192 
To provide for recovery by individuals who were stationed, lived, or worked 
at Camp Lejeune, for certain actions of omissions by the United States. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 26, 2021 
Mr. CARTWRIGHT (for himself, Mr. MURPHY of North Carolina, Mr. PRICE 
of North Carolina, Ms. ADAMS, Mr. BUDD, Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Mr. HAS-
TINGS, Mr. HUDSON, Mr. LIEU, Ms. MANNING, Mr. MCHENRY, Ms. NOR-
TON, Mr. RASKIN, Ms. ROSS, and Mr. ROUZER) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 
A BILL 
To provide for recovery by individuals who were stationed, 
lived, or worked at Camp Lejeune, for certain actions 
of omissions by the United States. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Camp Lejeune Justice 
Act of 2021’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:26 Jun 01, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2192.IH
H2192
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
SEC. 2. FEDERAL CAUSE OF ACTION RELATING TO WATER 
AT CAMP LEJEUNE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—An individual, including a vet-
eran, or the legal representative of such an individual, who 
resided, worked, or was otherwise exposed (including in 
utero exposure) for not less than 30 days during the pe-
riod beginning August 1, 1953, and ending December 31, 
1987, to water at Camp Lejeune that was supplied by the 
United States or on its behalf may bring an action in the 
United States District Court for the Eastern District of 
North Carolina to obtain appropriate relief for harm 
which— 
(1) was caused by exposure to the water; 
(2) was associated with exposure to the water; 
(3) was linked to exposure to the water; or 
(4) the exposure to the water increased the like-
lihood of such harm. 
(b) BURDEN AND STANDARD OF PROOF.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The burden of proof shall be 
on the party filing the action to show one or more 
relationship between the water and the harm de-
scribed in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection 
(a) by a preponderance of the evidence. 
(2) USE OF STUDIES.—A study conducted on 
humans or animals, or from an epidemiological 
study, which ruled out chance and bias with reason-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:26 Jun 01, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2192.IH
H2192
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
able confidence and which concluded, with sufficient 
evidence, that exposure to the water described in 
subsection (a) is one possible cause of the harm, 
shall be sufficient to satisfy the burden of proof de-
scribed under paragraph (1). 
(c) EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION
AND VENUE.—The 
district court for the Eastern District of North Carolina 
shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any action under this 
section, and shall be the exclusive venue for such an ac-
tion. Nothing in this subsection shall impair any party’s 
right to a trial by jury. 
(d) EXCLUSIVE REMEDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—An individual who brings an 
action under this section for an injury, including a 
latent disease, may not thereafter bring a tort action 
pursuant to any other law against the United States 
for such harm. 
(2) NO EFFECT ON DISABILITY BENEFITS.— 
Any award under this section shall have not impede 
or limit the individual’s continued or future entitle-
ment to disability awards, payments, or benefits 
under any Veteran’s Administration program. 
(e) IMMUNITY LIMITATION.—The United States may 
not assert any claim to immunity in an action under this 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:26 Jun 01, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2192.IH
H2192
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
section which would otherwise be available under section 
2680(a) of title 28, United States Code. 
(f) NO PUNITIVE DAMAGES.—Punitive damages may 
not be awarded in any action under this Act. 
(g) 
DISPOSITION
BY
FEDERAL
AGENCY
RE-
QUIRED.—An individual may not bring an action under 
this section prior to complying with section 2675 of title 
28, United States Code. 
(h) ATTORNEY FEES.—Attorney fees for services 
provided to an individual seeking a remedy under this sec-
tion shall be in accordance with section 2678 of title 28, 
United States Code. 
(i) EXCEPTION FOR COMBATANT ACTIVITIES.—This 
section does not apply to any claim or action arising out 
of the combatant activities of the Armed Forces. 
(j) PERIOD FOR FILING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The statute of limitations 
for an action under this section is the later of— 
(A) 2 years from the date on which the 
harm occurred or was discovered, whichever is 
later; or 
(B) 180 days from the date on which the 
claim is denied under section 2675 of title 28, 
United States Code. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:26 Jun 01, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2192.IH
H2192
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
(2) SPECIAL RULE.—In the case of harm which 
was discovered prior to the date of the enactment of 
this section, the statute of limitations is the later 
of— 
(A) 2 years after the date of the enactment 
of this section; or 
(B) 180 days from the date on which the 
claim is denied under section 2675 of title 28, 
United States Code. 
(3) STATUTE OF REPOSE.—Any applicable stat-
ute of repose does not apply to claims under this 
Act. 
(k) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This Act shall apply to— 
(1) a claim arising on or after the date of the 
enactment of this Act; and 
(2) a claim arising before the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, if filed within two years of the date 
of enactment. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:26 Jun 01, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H2192.IH
H2192
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS