Fort McClellan Health Registry Act
Bill: H.R.2825 | Sponsor: Rep. Tonko, Paul (D-NY)
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
Fort McClellan Health Registry Act
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and maintain the Fort McClellan Health Registry, which must include a list of names of those who were stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama, between January 1, 1935, and May 20, 1999, and are seeking specified health care or benefits from the VA.
Specifically, the registry must include those who
The registry must also include relevant medical data of the listed individuals if they grant permission or are deceased at the time they are listed.
Individuals who have submitted applications, requests, or claims prior to the enactment of this bill must be included in the registry to the extent feasible.
The VA must periodically notify individuals listed in the registry of significant research developments on the health consequences of potential exposure to toxic substances or environmental hazards related to service at Fort McClellan. Additionally, the VA must reach out to individuals regarding the provision of health examinations and consultation and counseling services.
In establishing and maintaining the registry, the VA must consult with the Department of Defense to acquire necessary information.

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a registry of 
certain veterans who were stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama, 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 ``Fort McClellan Health Registry 
Act''.

SEC. 2. FORT MCCLELLAN HEALTH REGISTRY.

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
establish and maintain a special record to be known as the ``Fort 
McClellan Health Registry'' (in this section referred to as the 
``Registry'').
    (b) Contents.--Except as provided in subsection (c), the Registry 
shall include the following information:
            (1) A list containing the name of each individual who, 
        while serving as a member of the Armed Forces, was stationed at 
        Fort McClellan, Alabama, at any time during the period 
        beginning January 1, 1935, and ending on May 20, 1999, and 
        who--
                    (A) applies for care or services from the 
                Department of Veterans Affairs under chapter 17 of 
                title 38, United States Code;
                    (B) files a claim for compensation under chapter 11 
                of such title on the basis of any disability which may 
                be associated with such service;
                    (C) dies and is survived by a spouse, child, or 
                parent who files a claim for dependency and indemnity 
                compensation under chapter 13 of such title on the 
                basis of such service;
                    (D) requests from the Secretary a health 
                examination under subsection (d); or
                    (E) receives from the Secretary a health 
                examination similar to the health examination referred 
                to in subparagraph (D) and requests inclusion in the 
                Registry.
            (2) Relevant medical data relating to the health status of, 
        and other information that the Secretary considers relevant and 
        appropriate with respect to, each individual described in 
        paragraph (1) who--
                    (A) grants to the Secretary permission to include 
                such information in the Registry; or
                    (B) at the time the individual is listed in the 
                Registry, is deceased.
    (c) Individuals Submitting Claims or Making Requests Before Date of 
Enactment.--If in the case of an individual described in subsection 
(b)(1) the application, claim, or request referred to in such 
subsection was submitted, filed, or made before the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, to the extent feasible, 
include in the Registry such individual's name and the data and 
information, if any, described in subsection (b)(2) relating to the 
individual.
    (d) Examinations.--Upon the request of a veteran who was stationed 
at Fort McClellan, Alabama, at any time during the period beginning 
January 1, 1935, and ending on May 20, 1999, the Secretary shall 
provide the veteran with a health examination (including any 
appropriate diagnostic tests) and consultation and counseling with 
respect to the results of the examination and the tests.
    (e) Outreach.--
            (1) Ongoing outreach to individuals listed in registry.--
        The Secretary shall, from time to time, notify individuals 
        listed in the Registry of significant developments in research 
        on the health consequences of potential exposure to a toxic 
        substance or environmental hazard related to service at Fort 
        McClellan.
            (2) Examination outreach.--The Secretary shall carry out 
        appropriate outreach activities with respect to the provision 
        of any health examinations (including any diagnostic tests) and 
        consultation and counseling services under subsection (d).
    (f) Consultation.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall consult 
with the Secretary of Defense to acquire information maintained by the 
Secretary of Defense that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs considers 
necessary to establish and maintain the Registry.
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