SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE BILL 144

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

AN ACT

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS; CREATING THE SENIOR 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 "Senior 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. identify a subject-matter expert at the United States department of veterans affairs who has the ability and capacity to assist veterans seeking medical care or assistance with the department of veterans affairs' claims process;

          B. make available to veterans the most current medical studies and recommendations with regards to inhalation of toxic substances due to exposure to open burn pits; and

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

                (1) how to sign up and use the United States department of veterans affairs burn pit registry and information regarding the veterans health administration's presumptive conditions or diseases believed to have been caused by exposure to open burn pits;

                (2) the types of treatment offered by the veterans health administration that are available for any conditions or diseases caused by exposure to open burn pits and care offered outside the veterans health administration that have been approved for medical use;

                (3) how to document medical conditions that may be related to exposure to open burn pits and how to apply for a service-connected disability through 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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