Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2014

Bill: 113-hr-5484
Sponsor: Rep. Benishek, Dan [R-MI-1]
Introduced: 2014-09-16 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Birth defects
Department of Veterans Affairs
Disability assistance
Executive agency funding and structure
Family relationships
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Health information and medical records
Hereditary and development disorders
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Medical research
Military personnel and dependents
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2014-09-16
text: 
Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to select a medical center in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to serve as the national center for research on the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of descendants (i.e., a biological child, grandchild, or great-grandchild) of individuals exposed to toxic substances while serving as members of the Armed Forces that are related to that exposure.
 
Requires the national research center to employ at least one licensed clinical social worker to coordinate the access of individuals to appropriate federal, state, and local social and health care programs and to handle case management.
 
Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory board to: (1) advise the national research center, (2) determine which health conditions in the descendants of individuals who were exposed to toxic substances while serving in the Armed Forces result from such exposure for purposes of determining those descendants' eligibility for VA medical care, and (3) study and evaluate claims of service-related exposure to toxic substances by current and former members of the Armed Forces.
 
Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to declassify documents (other than documents that would materially and immediately threaten national security) related to any known incident in which not less than 100 members of the Armed Forces were exposed to a toxic substance that resulted in at least one case of disability.
 
Directs the Secretary, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the DOD Secretary to jointly conduct a national outreach and education campaign directed at members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their family members to communicate information on: (1) incidents of exposure to toxic substances, health conditions resulting form such exposure, and the potential long-term effects of such exposure; and (2) the national research center.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-09-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2014-09-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2014-09-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2014-09-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2014-09-16
text: Introduced in House