118 S2084 IS: Toxic Exposure Education for Servicemembers Act of 2023 U.S. Senate 2023-06-21 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II118th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2084IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJune 21, 2023Mr. Welch (for himself and Mr. Tillis) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed ServicesA BILLTo direct the Secretary of Defense to establish an outreach program to inform members of the Armed Forces assigned to work near burn pits of the risks of toxic exposure, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Toxic Exposure Education for Servicemembers Act of 2023.

2.

Outreach to members of the Armed Forces regarding possible toxic exposure

(a)

Establishment

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall establish—(1)a new risk assessment for toxic exposure for members of the Armed Forces assigned to work near burn pits; and(2)an outreach program to inform such members—(A)regarding such risk of toxic exposure; and(B)regarding benefits and support programs furnished by the Secretary of Defense (including eligibility requirements and timelines) regarding toxic exposure.(b)

Promotion

The Secretary of Defense shall promote the outreach program required under subsection (a) to members of the Armed Forces assigned to work near burn pits by direct mail, email, text messaging, and social media.(c)

Publication

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall publish on a website of the Department of Defense a list of resources furnished by the Secretary for—(1)members of the Armed Forces and veterans who experienced toxic exposure in the course of serving as a member of the Armed Forces;(2)dependents and caregivers of such members and veterans; and(3)survivors of such members and veterans who receive death benefits under laws administered by the Secretary.(d)

Toxic exposure defined

In this section, the term toxic exposure has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.