Palomares Veterans Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1896
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2019-06-19
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Accidents

Aviation and airports

Cancer

Cardiovascular and respiratory health

Digestive and metabolic diseases

Disability assistance

Europe

Hazardous wastes and toxic substances

Neurological disorders

Radiation

Spain

Veterans' medical care

Veterans' pensions and compensation
Latest action: action_date: 2019-06-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-06-19
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Palomares Veterans Act of 2019</b></p> <p>This bill includes veterans who participated in the cleanup of radioactive materials at Palomares, Spain, as radiation-exposed veterans for purposes of the Department of Veterans Affairs presumption of service-connection for specified cancers. </p> <p>Under a presumption of service-connection, specific disabilities diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded. </p>

tv_txt: II 116th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1896 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 19, 2019 Mr. Blumenthal (for himself, Ms. Warren , and Mrs. Feinstein ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for a presumption of service connected disability for certain veterans who served in Palomares, Spain, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Palomares Veterans Act of 2019 . 2. Presumption of service connected disability for certain veterans who served in Palomares, Spain (a) Disability compensation Section 1112(c)(3)(B) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new clause: (v) Onsite participation in the response effort following the collision of a United States Air Force B–52 bomber and refueling plane that caused the release of four thermonuclear weapons in the vicinity of Palomares, Spain, during the period beginning January 17, 1966, and ending March 31, 1967. . (b) Effective date and applicability (1) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Applicability concerning dependency and indemnity compensation For purposes of section 1310 of title 38, United States Code, the amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to a death notwithstanding whether such death occurred before, on, or after such date.