I 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 7687 
To protect firefighters from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, 
to establish a presumption of service connection for certain veterans 
exposed to such substances, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 20, 2020 
Mr. KILDEE (for himself, Mr. MCGOVERN, and Ms. SLOTKIN) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, 
and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, 
and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently 
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provi-
sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To 
protect 
firefighters 
from 
exposure 
to 
per- 
and 
polyfluoroalkyl substances, to establish a presumption of 
service connection for certain veterans exposed to such 
substances, and for other purposes. 
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 ‘‘Protecting Firefighters 
from PFAS Act’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:23 Aug 08, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7687.IH
H7687
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
SEC. 2. PFAS AT FIRE TRAINING FACILITIES. 
Section 203(e)(1)(B) of the Robert T. Stafford Dis-
aster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5133(e)(1)(B)) is amended— 
(1) in clause (iii), by striking ‘‘or’’; 
(2) in clause (iv), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(v) to remediate per- and polyfluoro-
alkyl substances at fire training facilities.’’. 
SEC. 3. GUARANTEEING EQUIPMENT SAFETY FOR FIRE-
FIGHTERS. 
(a) NATIONAL
INSTITUTE
OF
STANDARDS
AND 
TECHNOLOGY STUDY ON PER- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL 
SUBSTANCES
IN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT 
WORN BY FIREFIGHTERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director 
of the National Institute of Standards and Tech-
nology shall, in consultation with the Director of the 
National Institute for Occupational Safety and 
Health, commence a study of the contents and com-
position of new and unused personal protective 
equipment worn by firefighters. 
(2) CONTENTS OF STUDY.—In carrying out the 
study required by paragraph (1), the Director of the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:23 Aug 08, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7687.IH
H7687
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
National Institute of Standards and Technology 
shall examine— 
(A) the identity, prevalence, and concentra-
tion of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances 
(commonly known as ‘‘PFAS’’) in the personal 
protective equipment worn by firefighters; 
(B) the conditions and extent to which per- 
and polyfluoroalkyl substances are released into 
the environment over time from the degradation 
of personal protective equipment from normal 
use by firefighters; and 
(C) the relative risk of exposure to per- 
and polyfluoroalkyl substances faced by fire-
fighters from— 
(i) their use of personal protective 
equipment; and 
(ii) degradation of personal protective 
equipment from normal use by firefighters. 
(3) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall 
submit to Congress a report describing— 
(A) the findings of the Director with re-
spect to the study carried out under paragraph 
(1); and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:23 Aug 08, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7687.IH
H7687
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
(B) recommendations on what additional 
research or technical improvements to personal 
protective equipment materials or components 
should be pursued to avoid unnecessary occupa-
tional exposure among firefighters to per- and 
polyfluoroalkyl substances through personal 
protective equipment. 
(b) RESEARCH
ON PER- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL 
SUBSTANCES
IN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT 
WORN BY FIREFIGHTERS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 540 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Di-
rector of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology shall— 
(A) issue a solicitation for research pro-
posals to carry out the research recommenda-
tions identified in the report submitted under 
subsection (a)(3); and 
(B) award grants to applicants that submit 
research proposals to develop safe alternatives 
to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in per-
sonal protective equipment. 
(2) CRITERIA.—The Director shall select re-
search proposals to receive a grant under paragraph 
(1) on the basis of merit, using criteria identified by 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:23 Aug 08, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7687.IH
H7687
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
the Director, including the likelihood that the re-
search results will address the findings of the Direc-
tor with respect to the study conducted under sub-
section (a)(1). 
(3) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—Any entity or group 
of two or more entities may submit to the Director 
a research proposal in response to the solicitation for 
research proposals under paragraph (1), including— 
(A) State and local agencies; 
(B) public institutions, including public in-
stitutions of higher education; 
(C) private corporations; and 
(D) nonprofit organizations. 
(4) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Direc-
tor to carry out this subsection up to $5,000,000 for 
each of the 3 fiscal years beginning with the first 
full fiscal year following the date of enactment of 
this Act. 
(c) AUTHORITY FOR DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL 
INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY TO CON-
SULT WITH EXPERTS ON MATTERS RELATING TO PER- 
AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES.—In carrying out 
this section, the Director of the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology may consult with Federal 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:23 Aug 08, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7687.IH
H7687
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
agencies, nongovernmental organizations, State and local 
governments, and science and research institutions deter-
mined by the Director to have scientific or material inter-
est in reducing unnecessary occupational exposure to per- 
and polyfluoroalkyl substances by firefighters. 
SEC. 4. HOSPITAL CARE AND MEDICAL SERVICES FOR VET-
ERANS AND DEPENDENTS EXPOSED TO PER-
FLUOROOCTANOIC ACID AND OTHER PER- 
AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES. 
(a) HOSPITAL CARE AND MEDICAL SERVICES FOR 
VETERANS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Paragraph (1) of section 
1710(e) of title 38, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following new subpara-
graph: 
‘‘(G)(i) Beginning on the date that is 90 
days after the date of the enactment of this 
subparagraph, subject to paragraph (2), a vet-
eran who served on active duty in the Armed 
Forces at a covered military installation at 
which individuals were exposed to substances 
specified in clause (ii) is eligible for hospital 
care and medical services under subsection 
(a)(2)(F) for the diseases, illnesses, or condi-
tions as specified in such clause, notwith-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:23 Aug 08, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7687.IH
H7687
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
standing that there is insufficient medical evi-
dence to conclude that such illness or condition 
is attributable to such service. 
‘‘(ii) The substances and diseases, ill-
nesses, or conditions specified in this clause are 
the following: 
‘‘(I) With respect to exposure to per-
fluorooctanoic acid— 
‘‘(aa) diagnosed high cholesterol; 
‘‘(bb) ulcerative colitis; 
‘‘(cc) thyroid disease; 
‘‘(dd) testicular cancer; 
‘‘(ee) kidney cancer; and 
‘‘(ff) pregnancy-induced hyper-
tension. 
‘‘(II) With respect to exposure to 
other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, 
any disease, illness, or condition that the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consulta-
tion with the Administrator of the Agency 
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 
of the Department of Health and Human 
Services, determines pursuant to the study 
conducted under section 316 of the Na-
tional Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:23 Aug 08, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7687.IH
H7687
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
Year 2018 (Public Law 115–91) that a 
positive association exists between exposure 
to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and 
such disease, illness, or condition. 
‘‘(iii) For purposes of this subparagraph— 
‘‘(I) any service by a veteran as a 
member of the reserve components for a 
period specified by the Secretary at a cov-
ered military installation at which individ-
uals were exposed, or suspected to be ex-
posed, to substances specified in clause (ii) 
shall be treated as active duty service, not-
withstanding section 101(21) of this title; 
and 
‘‘(II) any service by a veteran as a ci-
vilian firefighter for a period specified by 
the Secretary at a covered military instal-
lation at which individuals were exposed, 
or suspected to be exposed, to substances 
specified in clause (ii) shall be treated as 
active duty service at such installation, re-
gardless of whether such service occurs 
after the date on which the veteran was 
discharged or released from the Armed 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:23 Aug 08, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7687.IH
H7687
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
Forces, notwithstanding section 101(21) of 
this title. 
‘‘(iv) In this subparagraph, the term ‘cov-
ered military installation’ means a military in-
stallation at which individuals were exposed to 
perfluorooctanoic acid or other per- and 
polyfluoroalkyl substances, including exposure 
through a well that provides water for human 
consumption that is contaminated with such 
substances.’’. 
(2) LIMITATION.—Paragraph (2)(B) of such 
section is amended by striking ‘‘or (F)’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘(F), or (G)’’. 
(b) CIVILIAN FIREFIGHTERS AND FAMILY MEMBERS 
OF VETERANS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter VIII of chapter 
17 is amended by adding at the end the following 
new section: 
‘‘§ 1787A. Health care of civilian firefighters and fam-
ily members of veterans stationed at cer-
tain military installations 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—(1) Beginning on the date that 
is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, 
subject to subsection (b), an individual described in para-
graph (2) shall be eligible for hospital care and medical 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:23 Aug 08, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7687.IH
H7687
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
services furnished by the Secretary for any disease, illness, 
or condition for which a veteran may receive hospital care 
and medical services under section 1710(e)(1)(G)(ii) of 
this title, notwithstanding that there is insufficient med-
ical evidence to conclude that such disease, illness, or con-
dition is proximately caused, as the case may be, by— 
‘‘(A) the location of the residence as specified 
in paragraph (2)(A); or 
‘‘(B) the nature of the service as a firefighter 
as specified in paragraph (2)(B). 
‘‘(2) An individual described in this paragraph is any 
of the following: 
‘‘(A) A family member of a veteran described in 
clause (i) of section 1710(e)(1)(G) of this title (or 
who would be so described but for the condition by 
which the individual was discharged or released from 
the Armed Forces) who resided at a military instal-
lation covered by such clause or who was in utero 
while the mother of such family member resided at 
such location. 
‘‘(B) An employee of the Federal Government 
who— 
‘‘(i) served as a civilian firefighter at such 
a military installation; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:23 Aug 08, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7687.IH
H7687
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(ii) is not covered by such section 
1710(e)(1)(G). 
‘‘(b) LIMITATIONS.—(1) The Secretary may only fur-
nish hospital care and medical services under subsection 
(a) to the extent and in the amount provided in advance 
in appropriations Acts for such purpose. 
‘‘(2) Hospital care and medical services may not be 
furnished under subsection (a) for a disease, illness, or 
condition of an individual that is found, in accordance with 
guidelines issued by the Under Secretary for Health, to 
have resulted from a cause other than the residence or 
employment of the individual as specified in that sub-
section. 
‘‘(3) The Secretary may provide reimbursement for 
hospital care or medical services provided to an individual 
under this section only after the individual or the provider 
of such care or services has exhausted without success all 
claims and remedies reasonably available to the individual 
or provider against a third party (as defined in section 
1725(f) of this title) for payment of such care or services, 
including with respect to health-plan contracts (as defined 
in such section).’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:23 Aug 08, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7687.IH
H7687
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
by inserting after the item relating to section 1787 
the following new item: 
‘‘1787A. Health care of civilian firefighters and family members of veterans sta-
tioned at certain military installations.’’. 
(c) ANNUAL REPORTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—During the three-year period 
beginning in the year in which the study conducted 
under section 316 of the National Defense Author-
ization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115– 
91) is submitted to Congress, the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Vet-
erans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives an 
annual report on the care and services provided 
under sections 1710(e)(1)(G) and 1787A of title 38, 
United States Code (as added by subsections (a) and 
(b)(1), respectively). 
(2) ELEMENTS.—Each report under paragraph 
(1) shall set forth the following: 
(A) The number of veterans, civilian fire-
fighters, and family members provided hospital 
care and medical services under the provisions 
of law specified in paragraph (1) during the pe-
riod covered by the report. 
(B) The illnesses, conditions, and disabil-
ities for which care and services have been pro-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:23 Aug 08, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7687.IH
H7687
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
vided such veterans, civilian firefighters, and 
family members under such provisions of law 
during that period. 
(C) The number of veterans, civilian fire-
fighters, and family members who applied for 
care and services under such provisions of law 
during that period but were denied, including 
information on the reasons for such denials. 
(D) The number of veterans, civilian fire-
fighters, and family members who applied for 
care and services under such provisions of law 
and are awaiting a decision from the Secretary 
on eligibility for such care and services as of 
the date of such report. 
(3) VETERAN
DEFINED.—In this subsection, 
the term ‘‘veteran’’ includes a former member of the 
reserve components of the Armed Forces covered by 
such section 1710(e)(1)(G). 
SEC. 5. PRESUMPTION OF SERVICE CONNECTION FOR CER-
TAIN VETERANS EXPOSED TO PERFLUORO-
OCTANOIC ACID OR OTHER PER- AND POLY-
FLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 11 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1116 
the following new section: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:23 Aug 08, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7687.IH
H7687
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘§ 1116A. Presumption of service connection for cer-
tain veterans exposed to perfluorooctano-
ic acid or other per- and polyfluoroalkyl 
substances 
‘‘(a) PRESUMPTION OF SERVICE CONNECTION.—(1) 
For the purposes of section 1110 of this title, and subject 
to section 1113 of this title, each disease or illness speci-
fied in subsection (b) that becomes manifest in a veteran 
described in paragraph (2) shall be considered to have 
been incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the ac-
tive military, naval, or air service, notwithstanding that 
there is no record of evidence of such disease or illness 
during the period of such service. 
‘‘(2) A veteran described in this paragraph is a vet-
eran who, during active military, naval, or air service, 
served at a military installation at which individuals were 
exposed to perfluorooctanoic acid or other per- and 
polyfluoroalkyl substances, including exposure through a 
well that provides water for human consumption that is 
contaminated with such substances. 
‘‘(b) DISEASES OR ILLNESSES.—A disease or illness 
specified in this subsection is any of the following: 
‘‘(1) With respect to exposure to perfluoroocta-
noic acid— 
‘‘(A) diagnosed high cholesterol; 
‘‘(B) ulcerative colitis; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:23 Aug 08, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7687.IH
H7687
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(C) thyroid disease; 
‘‘(D) testicular cancer; 
‘‘(E) kidney cancer; and 
‘‘(F) pregnancy-induced hypertension. 
‘‘(2) With respect to exposure to other per- and 
polyfluoroalkyl substances, any other disease, illness, 
or condition that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
in consultation with the Administrator of the Agency 
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry of the 
Department of Health and Human Services, deter-
mines pursuant to the study conducted under section 
316 of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115–91) that a posi-
tive association exists between exposure to per- and 
polyfluoroalkyl substances and such disease or ill-
ness. 
‘‘(c) ACTIVE MILITARY, NAVAL, OR AIR SERVICE.— 
For purposes of this section, any service by a member of 
the reserve components for a period specified by the Sec-
retary at a military installation described in subsection 
(a)(2) shall be treated as active military, naval, or air serv-
ice, notwithstanding section 101(24) of this title.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:23 Aug 08, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7687.IH
H7687
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
after the item relating to section 1116 the following new 
item: 
‘‘1116A. Presumption of service connection for certain veterans exposed to 
perfluorooctanoic acid or other per- and polyfluoroalkyl sub-
stances.’’. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:23 Aug 08, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H7687.IH
H7687
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS