S. 1892 — Introduced in Senate

II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1892 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 20, 2013Ms. Collins (for herself and Mr. King) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a registry of certain veterans who were stationed at or underwent training at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, New Brunswick, Canada, and for other purposes. 1. Canadian Forces Base Gagetown Registry (a) Establishment Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish and maintain a registry to be known as the Canadian Forces Base Gagetown Health Registry (in this section referred to as the Registry). (b) Contents Except as provided in subsection (c), the Registry shall include the following information: (1) A list containing the name of each individual who— (A) while serving as a member of the Armed Forces, was stationed at or underwent training at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, New Brunswick, Canada, at any time during the period beginning on January 1, 1956, and ending on December 31, 2006; and (B) (i) applies for care or services from the Department of Veterans Affairs under chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code; (ii) files a claim for compensation under chapter 11 of such title on the basis of any disability that may be associated with such service; (iii) dies and is survived by a spouse, child, or parent who files a claim for dependency and indemnity compensation under chapter 13 of such title on the basis of such service; (iv) requests from the Secretary a health examination under subsection (d)(1); or (v) (I) receives from the Secretary a health examination similar to the health examination under subsection (d)(1); and (II) submits to the Secretary a request to be included in the Registry. (2) Relevant medical data relating to the health status of, and other information that the Secretary considers relevant and appropriate with respect to, each individual described in paragraph (1) who— (A) grants to the Secretary permission to include such information in the Registry; or (B) at the time the name of the individual is added to the Registry, is deceased. (c) Individuals Submitting Claims or Making Requests Before Date of Enactment If an application, claim, or request referred to in paragraph (1) of subsection (b) was submitted, filed, or made with respect to an individual described in that paragraph before the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, to the extent feasible, include in the Registry the information described in that subsection relating to that individual. (d) Examinations (1) In general Upon the request of an individual described in subsection (b)(1)(A), the Secretary shall provide the individual with— (A) a health examination (including any appropriate diagnostic tests); and (B) consultation and counseling with respect to the results of the examination and tests. (2) Consultation and counseling to family members In the case of an individual described in subsection (b)(1)(A) who is deceased, upon the request of a spouse, child, or parent of that individual, the Secretary shall provide that spouse, child, or parent with consultation and counseling with respect to the results of the examination and tests under paragraph (1)(A) or the results of an examination similar to that examination with respect to that individual. (e) Outreach (1) Ongoing outreach to individuals listed in the Registry The Secretary shall, from time to time, notify individuals listed in the Registry of significant developments in research on the health consequences of potential exposure to a toxic substance or environmental hazard related to service at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown. (2) Examination outreach The Secretary shall carry out appropriate outreach activities with respect to the provision of any health examinations (including any diagnostic tests) and consultation and counseling services under subsection (d). (f) Department of Defense Information The Secretary of Defense shall furnish to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs such information maintained by the Secretary of Defense as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs considers necessary to establish and maintain the Registry. (g) Independent study (1) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide for a study on the potential exposure of individuals to toxic substances or environmental hazards related to service at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown at any time during the period beginning on January 1, 1956, and ending on December 31, 2006. (2) Independent entity The study required by paragraph (1) shall be carried out by an entity that— (A) has experience conducting studies with respect to the exposure of individuals to toxic substances or environmental hazards; and (B) is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs. (3) Deadline for completion The study required by paragraph (1) shall be completed not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. (h) Annual report (1) In general Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, and each year thereafter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the Registry. (2) Elements Each report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) The number of veterans included in the Registry. (B) Any trend in claims for compensation under chapter 11 or 13 of title 38, United States Code, with respect to veterans included in the Registry. (C) A description of the outreach efforts made by the Secretary under subsection (e) during the one-year period ending on the date of such report. (D) Such other matters as the Secretary considers appropriate.