[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 119 (Wednesday, July 12, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S2425]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 263. Mr. WELCH (for himself and Mr. Tillis) submitted an amendment 
intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2226, to authorize 
appropriations for fiscal year 2024 for military activities of the 
Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense 
activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel 
strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the end of subtitle C of title VI, add the following:

     SEC. 633. 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.
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