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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Regular Session, 2014 ENROLLED
SENATE BILL NO. 538
BY SENATORS JOHN SMITH, ALLAIN, BUFFINGTON, CLAITOR, DORSEY-
COLOMB, ERDEY, GUILLORY, HEITMEIER, MILLS AND NEVERS
AND REPRESENTATIVES ARNOLD, BARROW, BERTHELOT,
WESLEY BISHOP, BROADWATER, BROWN, CARMODY,
CARTER, CHANEY, CONNI CK, COX, CROMER, FOI L,
GAROFALO, GI SCLAIR, HARRISON, HAZEL, HENRY,
HOFFMANN, HOWARD, HUNTER, I VEY, JAMES, JOHNSON,
KLECKLEY, TERRY LANDRY, LOPINTO, LORUSSO, MORENO,
PIERRE, PONTI, POPE, RICHARD, RITCHIE, SCHEXNAYDER,
SMITH, ST. GERMAIN, STOKES, WHITNEY, PATRICK WILLIAMS,
WILLMOTT AND WOODRUFF
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 AND 10
OPEN BURN PIT REGISTRY11
§331. Military Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry; creation; duties12
and powers13
For the purposes of outreach, education, and advocacy for Louisiana14
service members and veterans who have been exposed to open burn pit smoke15
or other airborne hazards during their service in Operation Iraqi Freedom,16
Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, the Gulf War 1990-1991,17
or other conflicts or theaters which may subsequently be identified, the18
secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall:19
(1) Monitor the most current published epidemiological studies and20
recommendations arising as a requirement of 38 U.S.C. 527, as well as any21
developments in the study and treatment of conditions associated with exposure22
ACT No. 312 SB NO. 538 ENROLLED
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
to toxic airborne chemicals and fumes caused by open burn pits.1
(2) Create a database of self-identifying service members and veterans2
who have been exposed to burn pits, that shall include the name, address,3
electronic address, phone number, location and period of service, and any other4
information as deemed necessary by the secretary of the Department of5
Veterans Affairs.6
(3) Establish and maintain a public information program in order to7
educate and inform service members, veterans, and their families regarding:8
(a) The most recent scientific developments on the health effects of9
exposure to open burn pit smoke or other airborne hazards.10
(b) Availability of possible treatments for their conditions.11
(c) Applying for service-connected disability compensation for any12
possible illnesses or conditions related to exposure to open burn pit smoke or13
other airborne hazards, including the current status on related presumptive14
conditions or diseases as designated by the United States Department of15
Veterans Affairs.16
(d) Appealing an existing disability rating decision or requesting an17
upgrade in disability rating from the United States Department of Veterans18
Affairs.19
Section 2. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the Staff Sergeant William20
Austin Daniel Military Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry Act of 2014.21
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED: