I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 5599 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 15, 2021 Ms. Sherrill (for herself and Mr. Garbarino ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services , and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs , 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 A BILL To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a biennial study on the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record program of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Burn Pit Program to Review Operations and Management of ILER System Efficacy Act or the Burn Pit PROMISE Act . 2. GAO biennial study on Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record program (a) Studies and reports required Not later than December 31, 2022, and once every two years thereafter until December 31, 2030, the Comptroller General of the United States shall— (1) conduct a study on the implementation and effectiveness of the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record program of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs; and (2) submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report containing the findings of the most recently conducted study. (b) Elements The biennial studies under subsection (a) shall include an assessment of elements as follows: (1) Initial study The initial study conducted under subsection (a) shall assess, at a minimum, the following: (A) Statistics relating to use of the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record program, including the total number of individuals the records of whom are contained therein and the total number of records accessible under the program. (B) Costs associated with the program, including any cost overruns associated with the program. (C) The capacity to expand the program to include the medical records of veterans who served prior to the establishment of the program. (D) Any illness recently identified as relating to a toxic exposure (or any guidance relating to such an illness recently issued) by either the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, including any such illness or guidance that relates to open burn pit exposure. (E) How the program has enabled (or failed to enable) the discovery, notification, and medical care of individuals affected by an illness described in subparagraph (D). (F) Physician and patient feedback on the program, particularly feedback that relates to ease of use. (G) Cybersecurity and privacy protections of patient data stored under the program, including whether any classified or restricted data has been stored under the program (such as data relating to deployment locations or duty stations). (H) Any technical or logistical impediments to the implementation or expansion of the program, including any impediments to the inclusion in the program of databases or materials originally intended to be included. (I) Any issues relating to read-only access to data under the program by veterans. (J) Any issues relating to the interoperability of the program between the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs. (2) Subsequent studies Except as provided in paragraph (3), each study conducted under subsection (a) following the initial study specified in paragraph (1) shall assess— (A) statistics relating to use of the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record program, including the total number of individuals the records of whom are contained therein and the total number of records accessible under the program; and (B) such other elements as the Comptroller General determines appropriate, which may include any other element specified in paragraph (1). (3) Final study The final study conducted under subsection (a) shall assess— (A) the elements specified in subparagraphs (A), (B), (D), (E), (F), and (H) of paragraph (1); and (B) such other elements as the Comptroller General determines appropriate, which may include any other element specified in paragraph (1). (c) Access by Comptroller General (1) Information and materials Upon request of the Comptroller General, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall make available to the Comptroller General any information or other materials necessary for the conduct of each biennial study under subsection (a). (2) Interviews In addition to such other authorities as are available, the Comptroller General shall have the right to interview officials and employees of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs (including clinicians, claims adjudicators, and researchers) as necessary for the conduct of each biennial study under subsection (a). (3) Information from patients and former patients (A) Development of questionnaire In carrying out each biennial study under subsection (a), the Comptroller General may develop a questionnaire for individuals the records of whom are contained in the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record, to obtain the information necessary for the conduct of the study. (B) Distribution The Secretary concerned shall ensure that any questionnaire developed pursuant to subparagraph (A) is distributed to individuals the records of whom are contained in the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record. (d) Definitions In this Act: (1) The term appropriate congressional committees means— (A) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives; and (B) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate. (2) The term Secretary concerned means— (A) the Secretary of Defense, with respect to matters concerning the Department of Defense; and (B) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, with respect to matters concerning the Department of Veterans Affairs.