Bill Summary
This legislation is a proposed bill that would amend the United States Code, specifically Title 38, to establish a presumption that certain veterans were exposed to radiation and other toxins at the Nevada Test and Training Range. This would impact the treatment of certain disabilities under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The bill would also create a presumption of toxic exposure for veterans who performed military service at the Nevada Test and Training Range after January 1, 1972. This would also extend to conditions such as lipomas and tumors for covered veterans. The purpose of this bill is to provide support and resources for veterans who may have been exposed to harmful substances while serving their country.
Possible Impacts
1. This legislation could affect veterans who were stationed at the Nevada Test and Training Range, as it establishes a presumption that they were exposed to radiation and other toxins during their service.
2. People who were involved in the development, construction, operation, or maintenance of a military installation at the Nevada Test and Training Range could be affected by this legislation, as it includes them in the definition of "radiation-risk activities."
3. This legislation could also affect veterans who were assigned to duty stations in or above the Nevada Test and Training Range, as it creates a presumption of toxic exposure for them.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9511 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9511
To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a presumption that
certain veterans were exposed to radiation and other toxins at the
Nevada Test and Training Range for purposes of the treatment of certain
disabilities under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 10, 2024
Mr. Amodei (for himself and Ms. Lee of Nevada) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a presumption that
certain veterans were exposed to radiation and other toxins at the
Nevada Test and Training Range for purposes of the treatment of certain
disabilities under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. TREATMENT AS RADIATION-RISK ACTIVITIES.
Section 1112(c)(3)(B) of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by adding at the end the following new clause:
``(viii) At any time on or after January 1, 1972,
onsite participation in any aspect of the development,
construction, operation, or maintenance of a military
installation (as defined in section 2801 of title 10)
at the Nevada Test and Training Range, Nevada.''.
SEC. 2. PRESUMPTIONS OF TOXIC EXPOSURE.
Section 1119(c)(1) of such title is amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as
subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively; and
(2) by inserting before subsection (B), as so redesignated,
the following:
``(A) on or after January 1, 1972, performed active
military, naval, air, or space service while assigned
to a duty station in, including airspace above, the
Nevada Test and Training Range, Nevada;''.
SEC. 3. PRESUMPTION OF SERVICE CONNECTION.
Section 1120(b) of such title is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (15) as paragraph (16); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (14) the following new
paragraph:
``(15) Only in the case of a covered veteran described in
section 1119(c)(1)(A), lipomas and tumor related conditions.''.
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