Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-1769
Sponsor: Rep. Benishek, Dan [R-MI-1]
Introduced: 2015-04-14 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Health promotion and preventive care
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Medical research
Military personnel and dependents
Transportation costs
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-14
text: 

Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015

 
Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to select a VA medical center to serve as the national center for research on the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of the biological children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren of individuals exposed to toxic substances while serving as members of the Armed Forces that are related to such exposure.
 
Requires: (1) the Department of Defense (DOD) or the head of a federal agency to make available to the VA for review records held by DOD, an Armed Force, or that federal agency that might assist the VA in making determinations regarding individuals and descendents afflicted with a health condition as a result of such exposure; (2) the VA and DOD or such agency head to jointly establish a mechanism for the availability and review of records by the VA; and (3) the national center to employ at least one licensed clinical social worker to coordinate access of individuals to appropriate social and health care programs and to handle case management.
 
Establishes an Advisory Board to oversee and assess the national center and to advise the VA regarding the center's work.
 
Directs DOD to declassify documents (other than documents that would materially and immediately threaten national security) related to any known incident in which at least 100 members of the Armed Forces were exposed to a toxic substance that resulted in at least one case of an associated disability.
 
Directs the VA to conduct a national outreach and education campaign directed toward members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their family members to communicate information on: (1) incidents of exposure of members of the Armed Forces to toxic substances, health conditions resulting from such exposure, and the potential long-term effects; and (2) the national center. Requires DOD and the Department of Health and Human Services to assist the VA in implementing such campaign.

action_date: 2016-05-24
text: 

Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2016

 
(Sec. 3) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to select a VA medical center to serve as the national center for research on the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of the biological children or grandchildren of individuals exposed to toxic substances while serving as members of the Armed Forces that are related to such exposure.
 
 The bill requires: (1) the Department of Defense (DOD) or the head of a federal agency to make available to the VA for review records held by DOD, an Armed Force, or that federal agency that might assist the VA in making determinations regarding individuals and descendents afflicted with an exposure-related health condition; (2) the VA and DOD or such agency head to jointly establish a mechanism for VA review of records; and (3) the national center to employ at least one licensed clinical social worker to coordinate access of individuals to appropriate social and health care programs and to handle case management.
 
(Sec. 4) The VA shall establish an Advisory Board to oversee and assess the national center and to advise the VA regarding the center's work.
 
 The board shall report on its recommendations at least once a year.
 
(Sec. 5) DOD shall: (1) conduct a declassification review to determine what information may be made publicly available related to any known incident in which at least 100 members of the Armed Forces were exposed to a toxic substance that resulted in at least one case of a disability that an occupational medicine specialist has determined to be credibly associated with such substance; and (2) make such information available consistent with national security and limited to information necessary for determining whether an individual was exposed to such substance, the severity of exposure, and any potential health conditions resulting from such exposure.
 
(Sec. 6) The VA shall conduct a national outreach and education campaign directed toward members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their family members to communicate information on: (1) incidents of exposure of members of the Armed Forces to toxic substances, health conditions resulting from such exposure, and potential long-term effects; and (2) the national center for individuals eligible to participate in national center studies. 
 DOD and the Department of Health and Human Services shall assist the VA in implementing such campaign. 
(Sec. 7) No additional funds are authorized to carry out this bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-05-24
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 460.
action_date: 2016-05-24
text: Committee on Armed Services discharged.
action_date: 2016-05-24
text: Committee on Armed Services discharged.
action_date: 2016-05-24
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 114-592, Part I.
action_date: 2016-05-24
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 114-592, Part I.
action_date: 2016-02-25
text: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2016-02-25
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2016-02-25
text: Subcommittee on Health Discharged.
action_date: 2015-08-13
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2015-05-15
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2015-05-15
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2015-04-23
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2015-04-14
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: 2015-04-14
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: 2015-04-14
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: 2015-04-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-04-14
text: Introduced in House