SENATE BILL 144

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Michael Padilla

AN ACT

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS; CREATING THE MASTER SERGEANT JESSEY BACA MILITARY AIRBORNE HAZARDS AND OPEN BURN PIT REGISTRY ACT.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] SHORT TITLE.--This act may be cited as the "Master Sergeant Jessey Baca Military Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry Act".

     SECTION 2. [NEW MATERIAL] MILITARY AIRBORNE HAZARDS AND OPEN BURN PIT REGISTRY--CREATION--DUTIES.--For the purposes of outreach, education and advocacy for New Mexico service members and veterans who have been exposed to open burn pit smoke or other airborne hazards during their service in operation Iraqi freedom, operation enduring freedom, operation new dawn, the Gulf War 1990-1991 or other conflicts or theaters that may subsequently be identified, the secretary of veterans' services shall:

          A. monitor the most current published epidemiological studies and recommendations arising as a requirement of 38 U.S.C. 527, as well as any developments in the study and treatment of conditions associated with exposure to toxic airborne chemicals and fumes caused by open burn pits;

          B. create a database of self-identifying service members and veterans who have been exposed to burn pits, which database shall include the name, address, electronic address, phone number, location, period of service and any other information deemed necessary by the secretary of veterans' services; and

          C. establish and maintain a public information program to educate and inform service members, veterans and their families regarding:

                (1) the most recent scientific developments on the health effects of exposure to open burn pit smoke or other airborne hazards;

                (2) the availability of treatments for any conditions or diseases possibly related to open burn pit smoke or other airborne hazards;

                (3) applying for service-connected disability compensation for any conditions or diseases possibly related to exposure to open burn pit smoke or other airborne hazards, including the current status on related presumptive conditions or diseases as designated by the United States department of veterans affairs; and

                (4) appealing an existing disability rating decision or requesting an upgrade in disability rating from the United States department of veterans affairs.

     SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2015.

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