[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 115 (Thursday, July 11, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S4676]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 2349. Mr. WELCH submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 4638, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2025 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 appropriate place in title V, insert the following:

     SEC. __. 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 regarding 
     such toxic exposure. Such program shall include information 
     regarding benefits and support programs furnished by the 
     Secretary (including eligibility requirements and timelines) 
     regarding toxic exposure.
       (b) Promotion.--The Secretary of Defense shall promote the 
     program to members described in subsection (a) 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 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 the term in section 
     101 of title 38, United States Code.
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