BILL ANALYSIS �
AJR 46
Page 1
Date of Hearing: June 17, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
Sharon Quirk-Silva, Chair
AJR 46 (Frazier) - As Introduced: May 1, 2014
SUBJECT : Birth anomalies: children of veterans.
SUMMARY : The Legislature urges the United States Congress to
pass, and the United States President to sign into law, Senate
Bill 1602, and the House of Representatives to write and pass a
companion bill, and encourage the members of the California
Congressional Delegation to join as coauthors on the bill.
FISCAL EFFECT : This measure is not keyed fiscal.
COMMENTS : The Toxic Exposure Research and Military Family
Support Act of 2013-
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to:
1)Select a medical center in the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) to serve as the national center for the diagnosis,
treatment, and research of health conditions of descendents
(i.e., a biological child, grandchild, or great-grandchild) of
individuals exposed to toxic substances while serving as
members of the Armed Forces that are related to that exposure;
2)Establish an advisory board to advise the center to determine
which health conditions result from exposure to toxic
substances and to study and evaluate cases of exposure of
current and former members of the Armed Forces to toxic
substances; and
3)Establish an Office of Extramural Research to conduct research
on wounds, illnesses, injuries, and other conditions suffered
by active members of the Armed Forces resulting from exposure
to toxic substances and to assist the Advisory Board in
considering claims of exposure to toxic substances.
Extends eligibility for medical care and caregiver assistance to
descendents of a veteran who was exposed to toxic substances
while serving as a member of the Armed Forces if:
a) The descendent has a health condition resulting from
exposure to toxic substances and is homebound due to such
condition, and
AJR 46
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b) The veteran has or had the same health condition.
Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to declassify
documents (other than documents that would materially and
immediately threaten national security) related to any known
incident in which not less than 100 members of the Armed Forces
were exposed to a toxic substance that resulted in at least one
case of disability.
Directs the VA Secretary, the Secretary of Health and Human
Services (HHS), and the DOD Secretary to jointly conduct a
national outreach and education campaign directed at members of
the Armed Forces, veterans, and their family members to
communicate information on incidents of exposure to toxic
substances, health conditions resulting form such exposure, and
the potential long-term effects of such exposure.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
American Legion, Department of California
AMVETS, Department of California
California Association of County Veterans Service Officers
California Democratic Party, Veterans Caucus
California State Commanders Veterans Council
Military Officers Association of America, California Council of
Chapters
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of California
Vietnam Veterans of America, California State Council
Opposition
None on File.
Analysis Prepared by : Jenny Callison / V. A. / (916) 319-3550