S. 1283 — Introduced in Senate

II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1283 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 25, 2017Mr. Markey introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To authorize the award of a military service medal to members of the Armed Forces who were exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of participation in the testing of nuclear weapons or under other circumstances. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Atomic Veterans Service Medal Act. 2. Atomic Veterans Service Medal (a) Service medal required The Secretary of Defense shall design and produce a military service medal, to be known as the Atomic Veterans Service Medal, to honor retired and former members of the Armed Forces who are radiation-exposed veterans. (b) Distribution of medal (1) Issuance to retired and former members At the request of a radiation-exposed veteran, the Secretary of Defense shall issue the Atomic Veterans Service Medal to the veteran. (2) Issuance to next-of-kin In the case of a radiation-exposed veteran who is deceased, the Secretary may provide for issuance of the Atomic Veterans Service Medal to the next-of-kin of the person. (3) Application The Secretary shall prepare and disseminate as appropriate an application by which radiation-exposed veterans and their next-of-kin may apply to receive the Atomic Veterans Service Medal. (c) Radiation exposed veteran defined In this section, the term radiation-exposed veteran has the meaning given such term in section 1112(c)(3) of title 38, United States Code.