,,ii #aadth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #ija ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,april #ac1 #bjae,mr4 ,moran 7for himself and ,mr4 ,blumenthal7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to establish in the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs a national center for research on the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of the descendants of veterans exposed to toxic substances during service in the ,armed ,forces that are related to that exposure1 to establish an advisory board on such health conditions1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,toxic ,exposure ,research ,act of #bjae4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,armed ,force ,the term ,armed ,force means the ,united ,states ,army1 ,navy1 ,marine ,corps1 ,air ,force1 or ,coast ,guard1 including the reserve components thereof4 7#b7 ,descendant ,the term descendant means1 with respect to an individual1 the biological child1 grandchild1 or great-grandchild of that individual4 7#c7 ,exposed ,the term exposed means1 with respect to a toxic substance1 that an individual came into contact with that toxic substance in a manner that could be hazardous to the health of that individual1 that may include if that toxic substance was inhaled1 ingested1 or touched the skin or eyes4 7#d7 ,exposure ,the term exposure means1 with respect to a toxic substance1 an event during which an individual was exposed to that toxic substance4 7#e7 ,toxic substance ,the term toxic substance means any substance determined by the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency to be harmful to the environment or hazardous to the health of an individual if inhaled or ingested by or absorbed through the skin of that individual4 7#f7 ,veteran ,the term veteran has the meaning given that term in section #aja of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 #c4 ,national center for research on the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of the descendants of individuals exposed to toxic substances during service in the ,armed ,forces that are related to such service 7a7 ,national center 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall1 in consultation with the ,advisory ,board established under section #d1 select a medical center of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs to serve as the national center for research on the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of descendants of individuals exposed to toxic substances while serving as members of the ,armed ,forces that are related to such exposure 7in this ,act referred to as the ,national ,center74 7#b7 ,criteria for selection 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,national ,center shall be selected under paragraph 7#a7 from among medical centers of the ,department with expertise described in subparagraph 7,b71 or that are affiliated with research medical centers or teaching hospitals with such expertise1 that seek to be selected under this section4 7,b7 ,expertise described ,the expertise described in this subparagraph is-- 7i7 expertise in diagnosing and treating functional and structural birth defects2 or 7ii7 expertise in caring for individuals exposed to toxic substances and diagnosing and treating any health conditions resulting from such exposure4 7,c7 ,preference ,preference for selection under paragraph 7#a7 shall be given to medical centers of the ,department with expertise described in clauses 7i7 and 7ii7 of subparagraph 7,b71 or that are affiliated with research medical centers or teaching hospitals with such expertise4 7b7 ,research 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,national ,center shall conduct research on the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of descendants of individuals exposed to toxic substances while serving as members of the ,armed ,forces that are related to that exposure4 7#b7 ,studies ,in conducting research under paragraph 7#a71 the ,national ,center shall study individuals1 at the election of the individual1 for whom the ,secretary has made one of the following determinations3 7,a7 7i7 ,the individual is a descendant of an individual who served as a member of the ,armed ,forces2 7ii7 such member was exposed to a toxic substance while serving as a member of the ,armed ,forces2 and 7iii7 such descendant is afflicted with a health condition that is related to the exposure of such member to such toxic substance4 7,b7 7i7 ,the individual was exposed to a toxic substance while serving as a member of the ,armed ,forces2 and 7ii7 such individual is afflicted with a health condition that is related to the exposure of such individual to such toxic substance4 7#c7 ,use of records 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,defense or the head of a ,federal agency shall make available to the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs for review records held by the ,department of ,defense1 an ,armed ,force1 or that ,federal agency1 as appropriate1 that might assist the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs in making the determinations required by paragraph 7#b74 7,b7 ,mechanism ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs and the ,secretary of ,defense or the head of the appropriate ,federal agency shall jointly establish a mechanism for the availability and review of records by the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs under subparagraph 7,a74 7c7 ,social workers ,the ,national ,center shall employ not less than one licensed clinical social worker to coordinate access of individuals to appropriate ,federal1 ,state1 and local social and healthcare programs and to handle case management4 7d7 ,reimbursement for necessary travel and room and board ,the ,national ,center shall reimburse any individual participating in a study pursuant to subsection 7b71 and any parent1 guardian1 spouse1 or sibling who accompanies such individual1 for the reasonable cost of-- 7#a7 travel to the ,national ,center for participation in such study2 and 7#b7 room and board during the period in which such individual is participating in such study at the ,national ,center4 7e7 ,reports 7#a7 ,annual report 7,a7 ,in general ,not less frequently than annually1 the ,national ,center shall submit to ,congress and the ,advisory ,board established under section #d a report on the functions of the ,national ,center during the year preceding the submittal of the report that includes a summary of the research efforts of the ,national ,center that have been completed during such year and that are ongoing as of the date of the submittal of the report4 7,b7 ,upon request ,upon the request of any organization exempt from taxation under section #eja7;c77#ai7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf1 the ,national ,center shall submit a copy of a report submitted under subparagraph 7,a7 to such organization4 7#b7 ,quarterly report to ,advisory ,board ,not less frequently than quarterly1 the ,national ,center shall submit to the ,advisory ,board a report on the functions of the ,national ,center during the quarter preceding the submittal of the report that includes the following3 7,a7 ,a summary of the research efforts of the ,national ,center during such quarter4 7,b7 ,a description of any determinations made by the ,national ,center pursuant to such research efforts regarding whether health conditions of descendants of individuals exposed to toxic substances while serving as members of the ,armed ,forces are related to that exposure4 #d4 ,advisory board 7a7 ,establishment ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall establish an advisory board 7in this section referred to as the ,advisory ,board7 to oversee and assess the ,national ,center established under section #c and to advise the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs with respect to the work of the ,national ,center4 7b7 ,membership 7#a7 ,composition ,not later than #abj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services1 the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,environmental ,health ,sciences1 and other heads of ,federal agencies as the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs determines appropriate-- 7,a7 shall select not less than #ac voting members of the ,advisory ,board1 of whom-- 7i7 not less than three shall be members of organizations exempt from taxation under section #eja7;c77#ai7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf2 7ii7 not less than one shall be-- 7,i7 a descendant of an individual who was exposed to toxic substances while serving as a member of the ,armed ,forces and the descendant has manifested a structural or functional birth defect or a health condition that is related to the exposure of such individual to such toxic substance2 or 7,,ii7 a parent1 child1 or grandchild of that descendant2 7iii7 not less than six shall be health professionals1 scientists1 or academics who are not employees of the ,federal ,government and have expertise in-- 7,i7 birth defects2 7,,ii7 developmental disabilities2 7,,iii7 epigenetics2 7,,iv7 public health2 7,v7 the science of environmental exposure or environmental exposure assessment2 7,,vi7 the science of toxic substances2 or 7,,vii7 medical and research ethics2 and 7iv7 additional members may be selected from among social workers and advocates for veterans or members of the ,armed ,forces who are not employees of the ,federal ,government2 and 7,b7 may select nonvoting members from among individuals described in clause 7iii7 or 7iv7 of subparagraph 7,a7 who are employees of the ,federal ,government4 7#b7 ,chairperson ,the ,secretary shall select a ,chairperson from among the members of the ,advisory ,board4 7#c7 ,terms 7,a7 ,in general ,each member of the ,advisory ,board shall serve a term of two or three years as determined by the ,secretary4 7,b7 ,reappointment ,at the end of the term of a member of the ,advisory ,board1 the ,secretary may reselect the member for another term1 except that no member may serve more than four consecutive terms4 7c7 ,duties ,the ,advisory ,board shall-- 7#a7 oversee and assess the work of the ,national ,center2 7#b7 not less frequently than quarterly1 meet with the director or another representative of the ,national ,center on the work conducted at the ,national ,center1 including the research efforts of the ,national ,center2 7#c7 review the annual report submitted by the ,national ,center to ,congress and the ,advisory ,board under section #c7;e77#a72 and 7#d7 advise the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs on-- 7,a7 issues related to the research conducted at the ,national ,center2 7,b7 health conditions of descendants of individuals exposed to toxic substances while serving as members of the ,armed ,forces that are related to the exposure of such individual to such toxic substance2 7,c7 health care services that are needed by the descendants of individuals exposed to toxic substances while serving as members of the ,armed ,forces for health conditions that are related to the exposure of such individual to such toxic substance2 and 7,d7 any determinations or recommendations that the ,advisory ,board may have with respect to the feasibility and advisability of the ,department providing health care services described in subparagraph 7,c7 to descendants described in such subparagraph1 including a description of changes to existing policy4 7d7 ,report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than one year after the establishment of the ,advisory ,board under subsection 7a71 and not less frequently than once each year thereafter1 the ,advisory ,board shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate1 the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives1 and the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs a report on the recommendations of the ,advisory ,board4 7#b7 ,elements ,each report submitted under paragraph 7#a7 shall include recommendations for administrative or legislative action1 including recommendations for further research by the ,national ,center1 with respect to each health condition of a descendant of an individual exposed to a toxic substance while serving as a member of the ,armed ,forces for which the ,national ,center has made one of the following determinations in conducting research under section #c7;b73 7,a7 ,the health condition is related to the exposure of such individual to such toxic substance4 7,b7 ,it is unclear whether the health condition is related to the exposure of such individual to such toxic substance4 7,c7 ,the health condition is not related to the exposure of such individual to such toxic substance4 7e7 ,meetings ,the ,advisory ,board shall meet at the call of the ,chair1 but not less frequently than quarterly4 7f7 ,compensation ,the members of the ,advisory ,board shall serve without compensation4 7g7 ,expenses ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall determine the appropriate expenses of the ,advisory ,board4 7h7 ,personnel 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,chairperson may1 without regard to the civil service laws and regulations1 appoint an executive director of the ,advisory ,board1 who shall be a civilian employee of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 and such other personnel as may be necessary to enable the ,advisory ,board to perform its duties4 7#b7 ,approval ,the appointment of an executive director under paragraph 7#a7 shall be subject to approval by the ,advisory ,board4 7#c7 ,compensation ,the ,chairperson may fix the compensation of the executive director and other personnel without regard to the provisions of chapter #ea and subchapter ,,iii of chapter #ec of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 except that the rate of pay for the executive director and other personnel may not exceed the rate payable for level ,v of the ,executive ,schedule under section #ecaf of such title4 #e4 ,declassification by ,department of ,defense of certain incidents of exposure of members of the ,armed ,forces to toxic substances 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,defense shall declassify documents related to any known incident in which not less than #ajj members of the ,armed ,forces were exposed to a toxic substance that resulted in at least one case of a disability that a member of the medical profession has determined to be associated with that toxic substance4 7b7 ,limitation ,the declassification required by subsection 7a7 shall be limited to information necessary for an individual who was potentially exposed to a toxic substance to determine the following3 7#a7 ,whether that individual was exposed to that toxic substance4 7#b7 ,the potential severity of the exposure of that individual to that toxic substance4 7#c7 ,any potential health conditions that may have resulted from exposure to that toxic substance4 7c7 ,exception ,the ,secretary of ,defense is not required to declassify documents if the ,secretary determines that declassification of those documents would materially and immediately threaten the security of the ,united ,states4 #f4 ,national outreach campaign on potential long-term health effects of exposure to toxic substances by members of the ,armed ,forces and their descendants 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services and the ,secretary of ,defense1 conduct a national outreach and education campaign directed toward members of the ,armed ,forces1 veterans1 and their family members to communicate the following information3 7#a7 ,information on-- 7,a7 incidents of exposure of members of the ,armed ,forces to toxic substances2 7,b7 health conditions resulting from such exposure2 and 7,c7 the potential long-term effects of such exposure on the individuals exposed to those substances and the descendants of those individuals4 7#b7 ,information on the ,national ,center established under section #c for individuals eligible to participate in studies conducted at the ,national ,center4 7b7 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,in carrying out this section1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall design and implement the national outreach and education campaign conducted under subsection 7a71 including-- 7#a7 by distributing printed materials containing the information described in subsection 7a7 to veterans2 7#b7 by publishing such information on an ,internet website of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs that is available to the public2 7#c7 by presenting such information in person at facilities that serve a large number of veterans or members of the ,armed ,forces2 and 7#d7 by educating employees of all medical facilities of the ,department with respect to such information and providing such employees with printed materials containing such information4 7c7 ,department of ,defense ,the ,secretary of ,defense shall assist the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs in implementing the national outreach and education campaign conducted under subsection 7a7-- 7#a7 by making the information described in subsection 7a7 available to all members of the ,armed ,forces and their families2 7#b7 by notifying all members of the ,armed ,forces of such information2 and 7#c7 by publishing such information on an ,internet website of the ,department of ,defense that is available to the public4 7d7 ,department of ,health and ,human ,services ,the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services shall assist the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs in implementing the national outreach and education campaign conducted under subsection 7a7-- 7#a7 by making the information described in subsection 7a7 available to members of the health care profession2 7#b7 by notifying such members of such information2 and 7#c7 by publishing such information on an ,internet website of the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services that is available to the public4 #g4 ,prohibition on new appropriations ,no additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this ,act and this ,act shall be carried out using amounts otherwise made available for the purposes of this ,act4