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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE BILL NO. 1220
BY REPRESENTATIVE BARROW
MILITARY AFFAIRS: Establishes the Military Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit
Registry
AN ACT1
To enact Part III-B of Chapter 2 of Title 29 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, to be2
comprised of R.S. 29:331, relative to the Military Airborne Hazards and Open Burn3
Pit Registry; to provide for the duties and powers of the secretary of the Department4
of Veterans Affairs; to provide terms, conditions and requirements; and to provide5
for related matters.6
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:7
Section 1. Part III-B of Chapter 2 of Title 29 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of8
1950, comprised of R.S. 29:331, is hereby enacted to read as follows:9
PART III- B MILITARY AIRBORNE HAZARDS AND10
OPEN BURN PIT REGISTRY11
ยง331. Military Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry; creation; duties and12
powers13
For the purposes of outreach, education, and advocacy for Louisiana service14
members and veterans who have been exposed to open burn pit smoke or other15
airborne hazards during their service in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation16
Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, the Gulf War 1990-1991, or other17
conflicts or theaters which may subsequently be identified, the secretary of the18
Department of Veterans Affairs shall:19 HLS 14RS-2507 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 1220
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are additions.
(1) Monitor the most current published epidemiological studies and1
recommendations arising as a requirement of 38 U.S.C. 527, as well as any2
developments in the study and treatment of conditions associated with exposure to3
toxic airborne chemicals and fumes caused by open burn pits.4
(2) Create a database of self-identifying service members and veterans who5
have been exposed to burn pits, that shall include the name, address, electronic6
address, phone number, location and period of service, and any other information as7
deemed necessary by the secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.8
(3) Establish and maintain a public information program in order to educate9
and inform service members, veterans, and their families regarding:10
(a) The most recent scientific developments on the health effects of exposure11
to open burn pit smoke or other airborne hazards.12
(b) Availability of possible treatments for their conditions.13
(c) Applying for service-connected disability compensation for any possible14
illnesses or conditions related to exposure to open burn pit smoke or other airborne15
hazards, including the current status on related presumptive conditions or diseases16
as designated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.17
(d) Appealing an existing disability rating decision or requesting an upgrade18
in disability rating from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.19
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Barrow HB No. 1220
Abstract: Establishes the Military Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry.
Proposed law establishes the areas of service eligibility as the Gulf War of 1990-1991,
Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, or other
conflicts or theaters of war which may subsequently be identified.
Proposed law provides that the secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs will monitor
the most current published epidemiological studies and recommendations arising as a
requirement of 38 U.S.C. 527, and any developments in the study and treatment of
conditions associated with exposure to airborne chemicals and fumes caused by open burn
pits. HLS 14RS-2507 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 1220
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Proposed law provides that the secretary will create a database of service members and
veterans who have been exposed to burn pits, including the name, address, electronic
address, phone number, location and the period of service, and any other information
deemed necessary by the secretary.
Proposed law requires the secretary to establish and maintain a public information program
in order to educate and inform service members, veterans, and their families regarding:
(1)The most recent scientific developments on the effects of exposure to open burn pit
smoke or other airborne hazards.
(2)Availability of possible treatments for their conditions.
(3)Applying for service-connected disability compensation.
(4)Appealing an existing disability rating decision or requesting an upgrade in disability
rating from the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
(Adds R.S. 29:331)