US Codex
Pub. L.
Notes

Title V — Research Matters

117th Congress · Approved Aug 10, 2022 · 136 Stat. 1759

TITLE V Research Matters

SEC. 501. Interagency Working Group on Toxic Exposure Research.

(a)
Establishment.—
(1)
In general.— Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, in collaboration with the heads of the entities described in paragraph (2), establish the Toxic Exposure Research Working Group (in this section referred to as the “Working Group”).
(2)
Composition.— The Working Group shall consist of employees, selected by the Secretary, of the following:
(A)
The Department of Veterans Affairs.
(B)
The Department of Defense.
(C)
The Department of Health and Human Services.
(D)
The Environmental Protection Agency.
(E)
Other entities of the Federal Government involved in research activities regarding the health consequences of toxic exposures experienced during active military, naval, air, or space service.
(b)
Functions.— The Working Group shall perform the following functions:
(1)
Identify collaborative research activities and resources available among entities represented by members of the Working Group to conduct such collaborative research activities.
(2)
Develop a five-year strategic plan for such entities to carry out collaborative research activities.
(c)
Reporting.— The Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives the following:
(1)
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, a report on the establishment of the Working Group under subsection (a).
(2)
Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, a report containing the collaborative research activities identified, and the strategic plan developed, by the Working Group under subsection (b).
(3)
Not less frequently than annually during the five-year period covered by the strategic plan under subsection (b), a progress report on implementation of the strategic plan.
(d)
Termination.— The Working Group shall terminate after submitting the final report under subsection (c).
(e)
Definitions.— In this section:
(1)
Active military, naval, air, or space service.— The term “active military, naval, air, or space service” has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
(2)
Collaborative research activity.— The term “collaborative research activity” means a research activity—
(A)
agreed upon by the Working Group;
(B)
conducted by an entity represented by a member of the Working Group;
(C)
funded by the Federal Government; and
(D)
regarding the health consequences of toxic exposures experienced during active military, naval, air, or space service.
(3)
Toxic exposure.— The term “toxic exposure” has the meaning given such term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code, as amended by section 102(b).

SEC. 502. Analysis and Report on Treatment of Veterans for Medical Conditions Related to Toxic Exposure.

(a)
In General.— The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall analyze, on a continuous basis, all clinical data that—
(1)
is obtained by the Department of Veterans Affairs in connection with hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care furnished under section 1710(a)(2)(F) of title 38, United States Code; and
(2)
is likely to be scientifically useful in determining the association, if any, between the medical condition of a veteran and a toxic exposure.
(b)
Annual Report.— Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report containing the following:
(1)
The aggregate data compiled under subsection (a).
(2)
An analysis of such data.
(3)
A description of the types and incidences of medical conditions identified by the Department under such subsection.
(4)
The explanation of the Secretary for the incidence of such medical conditions and other explanations for the incidence of such conditions as the Secretary considers reasonable.
(5)
The views of the Secretary on the scientific validity of drawing conclusions from the incidence of such medical conditions, as evidenced by the data compiled under subsection (a), regarding any association between such conditions and toxic exposures.
(c)
Toxic Exposure Defined.— In this section, the term “toxic exposure” has the meaning given such term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code, as amended by section 102(b).

SEC. 503. Analysis Relating to Mortality of Veterans Who Served in Southwest Asia.

(a)
Analysis.—
(1)
In general.— Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall conduct an updated analysis of total and respiratory disease mortality in covered veterans.
(2)
Elements.— The analysis required by paragraph (1) shall include, to the extent practicable, the following with respect to each covered veteran:
(A)
Metrics of airborne exposures.
(B)
The location and timing of deployments of the veteran.
(C)
The military occupational specialty of the veteran.
(D)
The Armed Force in which the veteran served.
(E)
Pre-existing health status of the veteran, including with respect to asthma.
(F)
Relevant personal information of the veteran, including cigarette and e-cigarette smoking history, diet, sex, gender, age, race, and ethnicity.
(b)
Covered Veteran Defined.— In this section, the term “covered veteran” means any veteran who—
(1)
on or after August 2, 1990, served on active duty in—
(A)
Bahrain;
(B)
Iraq;
(C)
Kuwait;
(D)
Oman;
(E)
Qatar;
(F)
Saudi Arabia;
(G)
Somalia; or
(H)
the United Arab Emirates; or
(2)
on or after September 11, 2001, served on active duty in—
(A)
Afghanistan;
(B)
Djibouti;
(C)
Egypt;
(D)
Jordan;
(E)
Lebanon;
(F)
Syria; or
(G)
Yemen.

SEC. 504. Study on Health Trends of Post–9/11 Veterans.

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct an epidemiological study on the health trends of veterans who served in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001.

SEC. 505. Study on Cancer Rates Among Veterans.

(a)
In General.— The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a study on the incidence of cancer in veterans to determine trends in the rates of the incidence of cancer in veterans.
(b)
Elements.— The study required by subsection (a) shall assess, with respect to each veteran included in the study, the following:
(1)
The age of the veteran.
(2)
The period of service and length of service of the veteran in the Armed Forces.
(3)
The military occupational specialty or specialties of the veteran.
(4)
The sex of the veteran.
(5)
The type or types of cancer that the veteran has.

SEC. 506. Study on Health Effects of Waste Related to Manhattan Project on Certain Veterans.

(a)
Study.— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for the conduct of a study on the health trends of veterans who, while serving in the active military, naval, air, or space service—
(1)
participated in activities relating to the Manhattan Project (including activities relating to covered waste) in connection with such service; or
(2)
resided at or near, as determined by the Secretary, the locations described in subsection (b).
(b)
Covered Locations.— The locations described in this subsection are the following locations:
(1)
In the county of St. Louis, Missouri, the following:
(A)
Coldwater Creek, Missouri.
(B)
The St. Louis Airport Site, Missouri.
(C)
The West Lake Landfill.
(2)
Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
(3)
Hanford, Washington.
(4)
Any other location that is proximate to covered waste, as determined by the Secretary.
(c)
Elements.— The study under subsection (a) shall assess, with respect to each veteran included in the study, the following:
(1)
The age, sex, and race of the veteran.
(2)
The period and location of exposure to covered waste.
(3)
Any type of cancer, or other illness associated with toxic exposure, that the veteran has.
(4)
A comparison of the overall health condition of the veteran, including any illness of the veteran identified pursuant to paragraph (3), with the overall health condition of past and present civilian populations residing at the same location of exposure, as determined by the Secretary.
(d)
Report.— Not later than three years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 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 study under subsection (a) and include in such report an analysis of the data available and data reliability.
(e)
Definitions.— In this section:
(1)
Active military, naval, air, or space service; toxic exposure.— The terms “active military, naval, air, or space service” and “toxic exposure” have the meanings given those terms in section 101 of title 38, United States Code, as added by section 102(b).
(2)
Covered waste.— The term “covered waste” means any waste arising from activities carried out in connection with the Manhattan Project.
(3)
Illness.— The term “illness” has the meaning given that term in section 1171 of title 38, United States Code, as added by section 202.
(4)
Toxic exposure.— The term “toxic exposure” has the meaning given such term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code, as amended by section 102(b).

SEC. 507. Study on Toxic Exposure and Mental Health Outcomes.

(a)
Study Required.— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for the conduct of a study of veterans to assess possible relationships between toxic exposures experienced during service in the Armed Forces and mental health conditions, including chronic multisymptom illness, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, episodes of psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, suicide attempts, and suicide deaths.
(b)
Elements.— For each veteran included in the study under subsection (a), the following information shall be collected and assessed:
(1)
Age.
(2)
Sex.
(3)
Race and ethnicity.
(4)
Period and length of service in the Armed Forces.
(5)
The military occupational specialty or specialties of the veteran.
(6)
History of toxic exposure during service in the Armed Forces.
(7)
Any diagnosis of chronic multisymptom illness.
(8)
Any diagnosis of a mental health or cognitive disorder.
(9)
Any history of suicide attempt or suicidality.
(10)
If the veteran died by suicide.
(11)
Any confounding traumatic experiences that could affect a veteran’s mental health.
(c)
Report.— Not later than three years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report containing the findings of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine with respect to the study conducted under subsection (a).

SEC. 508. Study on Veterans in Territories of the United States.

(a)
GAO Study.—
(1)
In general.— The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on the state of access and barriers to benefits and services furnished by the Veterans Benefits Administration and the Veterans Health Administration under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to veterans in Territories and Freely Associated States of the United States, including deficits in the availability and accessibility of such benefits and services compared to veterans elsewhere in the United States.
(2)
Elements.— The study under paragraph (1) shall include—
(A)
the number of veterans in each Territory and Freely Associated State of the United States;
(B)
the number of veterans in each Territory and Freely Associated State who are enrolled in the system of annual patient enrollment of the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code;
(C)
a description of how the Department estimates the number of veterans in each Territory and Freely Associated State who are eligible for services under section 1710 of such title but who are not enrolled as described in subparagraph (B);
(D)
a detailed description of obstacles facing veterans in each Territory and Freely Associated State in accessing health care services, including those involving the availability of such services to veterans in the Territory or Freely Associated State in which the veterans reside, and any distance impediments to receiving services at a regional medical center of the Veterans Health Administration, a community-based outpatient clinic, another full-service medical facility of the Department, or a Vet Center, respectively;
(E)
a detailed description of obstacles facing veterans in each Territory and Freely Associated State in accessing readjustment counseling services, including those involving the availability of such services to veterans in the Territory in which the veterans reside, and any distance impediments to receiving services at a readjustment counseling services center of the Department;
(F)
a detailed description of obstacles facing veterans in each Territory and Freely Associated State in accessing non-health care veterans benefits, including those involving the availability of benefits and services to veterans in the Territory or Freely Associated State in which the veterans reside, and any distance impediments to accessing the nearest office of the Veterans Benefits Administration;
(G)
an analysis of the staffing and quality of the offices of the Veterans Benefits Administration and Veterans Health Administration charged with serving veterans in the Territories and Freely Associated States, including the availability of the full- and part-time staff of each office to the veterans they are charged with serving;
(H)
an analysis of the availability of the Veterans Community Care Program established under section 1703 of title 38, United States Code, to veterans in each Territory and Freely Associated State;
(I)
an analysis of the economic and health outcomes for veterans in each Territory or Freely Associated State resulting from obstacles to accessing adequate assistance and health care at facilities of the Department;
(J)
an analysis of the access to benefit assistance and health care provided to veterans in the aftermath of major disasters declared in each of the Territories and Freely Associated States since September 4, 2017; and
(K)
such recommendations as the Comptroller General considers appropriate for improving access of veterans in the Territories and Freely Associated States to benefits and health care services furnished by the Secretary, and reducing barriers and deficits in the availability and accessibility of such benefits and services compared to veterans elsewhere in the United States.
(b)
Briefing.— Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall provide to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a briefing setting forth the results of the study conducted under subsection (a), including any recommendations developed under paragraph (2)(K) of such subsection.
(c)
Definitions.— In this section:
(1)
Freely associated state.— The term “Freely Associated State” includes the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.
(2)
Territory.— The term “Territory” includes American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
(3)
Vet center.— The term “Vet Center” has the meaning given that term in section 1712A(h) of title 38, United States Code.

SEC. 509. Department of Veterans Affairs Public Website for Toxic Exposure Research.

(a)
Website.— Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish, and maintain thereafter, a publicly accessible internet website of the Department of Veterans Affairs that serves as a clearinghouse for the publication of all toxic exposure research carried out or funded by the executive branch of the Federal Government.
(b)
Coordination.— In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall coordinate with—
(1)
the heads of each Federal agency carrying out or funding toxic exposure research;
(2)
the War Related Illness and Injury Study Center of the Department of Veterans Affairs, or successor center; and
(3)
any working group of the Department of Veterans Affairs or other similar entity responsible for coordinating toxic exposure research.
(c)
Definitions.— In this section:
(1)
Toxic exposure.— The term “toxic exposure” has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code, as added by section 102(b).
(2)
Toxic exposure research.— The term “toxic exposure research” means research on the health consequences of toxic exposures experienced during service in the Armed Forces.

SEC. 510. Report on Health Effects of Jet Fuels Used by Armed Forces.

(a)
Initial Report.— Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 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, and make publicly available, a report on health effects of jet fuels used by the Armed Forces.
(b)
Contents.— The report submitted under subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1)
A discussion of the effect of various different types of jet fuels used by the Armed Forces on the health of individuals by length of exposure.
(2)
An identification of the immediate symptoms of jet fuel exposure that may indicate future health risks.
(3)
A chronology of health safeguards implemented by the Armed Forces intended to reduce the exposure of members of the Armed Forces to jet fuel.
(4)
An identification of any areas relating to jet fuel exposure about which new research needs to be conducted.
(c)
Follow-up Report.— Not later than five years after the date of the submittal of the report under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the committees referred to in such subsection an update to such report.