United StatesSenate Bill 2061S 2061

Molly R. Loomis Research for Descendants of Toxic Exposed Veterans Act of 2025

Armed Forces and National Security

senate
house
president

Last progress June 12, 2025 (8 months ago)

Introduced on June 12, 2025 by Richard Blumenthal

Sponsors (7)

Committee Meetings

1 meeting related to this legislation

Senate

Meeting

Scheduled

Hearings to examine S.342, to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize an individual who is awarded the Purple Heart for service in the Armed Forces to transfer unused Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to a family member, S.668, to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish the Office of Falls Prevention of the Department of Veterans Affairs, S.926, to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a program to furnish to certain veterans items used for the secure storage of firearms, S.1116, to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the provision of certain additional burial benefits for individuals for whom an urn or plaque is furnished, S.1657, to amend title 38, United States Code, to limit the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to deny the claim of a veteran for benefits under the laws administered by such Secretary on the sole basis that such veteran failed to appear for a medical examination associated with such claim, S.1665, to amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure veterans of secrecy oath programs receive the full benefits they have earned, S.1868, to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand access by veterans to critical access hospitals and affiliated clinics under the Veterans Community Care Program, S.1992, to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the efficiency of adjudications and appeals of claims for benefits under laws administered by Secretary of Veterans Affairs, S.2061, to require the Interagency Working Group on Toxic Exposure to conduct research on the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of descendants of individuals exposed to toxic substances while serving as members of the Armed Forces, S.2220, to expand presumptions of exposure by members of the Armed Forces to toxic substances, S.2264, to improve the emergency management capabilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, S.2309, to direct a physician or nurse practitioner employed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to certify the death of a veteran not later than 48 hours after such physician or nurse practitioner learns of such death, S.2328, to authorize the use of veterans educational assistance for examinations and assessments to receive credit toward degrees awarded by institutions of higher learning, S.2333, to require the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to permit supplementation of health records of deceased veterans, S.2397, to require implementation by the Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs of certain recommendations relating to the provision of health care through community care providers, S.2683, to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs a Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer, S.2737, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to implement a pilot program to furnish hyperbaric oxygen therapy to certain veterans through community care providers, S.2807, to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the applicability of the authority to reconsider decisions of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or the Secretary of the Army to inter remains or honor the memory of a person in a national cemetery, S.3033, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish partnerships between medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs and medical facilities in rural areas, S.3119, to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make temporary lodging facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs available for members of the Armed Forces, other individuals on active duty, and family members of such individuals on a space-available basis, S.3303, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to establish or enhance a community integration platform for services for veterans, to require the collection from veterans of information related to social determinants of health, an original bill entitled, "Sharing Essential Resources for Veterans Everywhere (SERVE) Act', an original bill entitled, "Commission on Equity and Reconciliation in the Uniformed Services Act", and an original bill entitled, "Get Justice Involved Veterans BACK HOME Act".

Committee on Veterans' AffairsRussell Senate Office Building, 418Dec 10, 2025 at 9:00 PM

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House Votes

Vote Data Not Available

Senate Votes

Pending Committee

June 12, 2025 (8 months ago)

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Presidential Signature

Signature Data Not Available

AI Insights

Analyzed 1 of 1 sections

Summary

Requires federal agencies to do more coordinated research, reporting, and public outreach on health conditions in descendants of service members exposed to toxic substances. It creates interagency tasking, sets short deadlines for initial actions (including certain items within 180 days), and requires a report within one year plus annual reports for five years to track findings and public information activities. Direct actions include forming interagency working groups, launching specified research and information tasks quickly, and producing recurring reports to improve understanding of health outcomes among descendants of exposed service members.

Key Points

Creates interagency tasking to study and report on health conditions in descendants of service members exposed to toxic substances.
Requires specified research and public-information steps to begin or be completed within 180 days of enactment.
Directs an initial consolidated report within one year and annual reports for a total of five years.
Focuses on coordinating data, identifying research priorities, and improving public outreach to affected families.
Amends an existing 2022 law on toxic exposures to add these new research, reporting, and coordination requirements.
No new, explicit appropriation is described in the section; agencies may need to allocate resources to comply.
Aims to close knowledge gaps about intergenerational health effects tied to toxic exposures among service members.

Categories & Tags

Agencies

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Working Group (under section 501 of Public Law 117–168)

Subjects

research

veterans' health

toxic exposure

interagency coordination

reporting

Provisions

6 items

Add a new paragraph (3) to subsection (b) of section 501 to establish Federal interagency task forces to conduct collaborative research activities.

requirement

Affects: Federal interagency task forces; Working Group (under section 501)

Require a report not later than one year after the date of enactment that includes: (A) a description of collaborative research activities identified by the Working Group under subsection (b); (B) the findings of Working Group members regarding those collaborative research activities; and (C) any recommendations the Working Group has for legislative or administrative action to improve collaborative research activities among members.

reporting

Affects: Working Group; members of the Working Group

Require reports not less frequently than annually during the five-year period covered by the strategic plan developed under subsection (b) that include: (A) a summary of collaborative research activities carried out by Working Group members and the members' findings; (B) a progress report on implementing the strategic plan; and (C) any recommendations for legislative or administrative action to improve collaborative research activities among members.

reporting

Affects: Working Group; members of the Working Group

Redesignate existing subsections (c) through (e) of section 501 as subsections (d) through (f), respectively, and update a cross-reference in the redesignated subsection (e) from 'under subsection (c)' to 'under subsection (d)'.

amendment

Affects: Provisions of section 501 (subsections (c)–(f))

Within 180 days after the date of enactment, require the Working Group and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to establish an interagency task force to conduct research on diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of descendants of a toxic-exposed veteran (term defined by reference to 38 U.S.C. §101).

requirement

Affects: Working Group; Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry; interagency task force; descendants of toxic-exposed veterans

Text Versions

Text as it was Introduced in Senate

June 12, 2025

View

Amendments

No Amendments

Amendments

No Amendments

Sponsors (7)

AI Insights

Analyzed 1 of 1 sections

Summary

Requires federal agencies to do more coordinated research, reporting, and public outreach on health conditions in descendants of service members exposed to toxic substances. It creates interagency tasking, sets short deadlines for initial actions (including certain items within 180 days), and requires a report within one year plus annual reports for five years to track findings and public information activities. Direct actions include forming interagency working groups, launching specified research and information tasks quickly, and producing recurring reports to improve understanding of health outcomes among descendants of exposed service members.

Key Points

Creates interagency tasking to study and report on health conditions in descendants of service members exposed to toxic substances.
Requires specified research and public-information steps to begin or be completed within 180 days of enactment.
Directs an initial consolidated report within one year and annual reports for a total of five years.
Focuses on coordinating data, identifying research priorities, and improving public outreach to affected families.
Amends an existing 2022 law on toxic exposures to add these new research, reporting, and coordination requirements.
No new, explicit appropriation is described in the section; agencies may need to allocate resources to comply.
Aims to close knowledge gaps about intergenerational health effects tied to toxic exposures among service members.

Categories & Tags

Agencies

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Working Group (under section 501 of Public Law 117–168)

Subjects

research

veterans' health

toxic exposure

interagency coordination

reporting

Provisions

6 items

Add a new paragraph (3) to subsection (b) of section 501 to establish Federal interagency task forces to conduct collaborative research activities.

requirement

Affects: Federal interagency task forces; Working Group (under section 501)

Require a report not later than one year after the date of enactment that includes: (A) a description of collaborative research activities identified by the Working Group under subsection (b); (B) the findings of Working Group members regarding those collaborative research activities; and (C) any recommendations the Working Group has for legislative or administrative action to improve collaborative research activities among members.

reporting

Affects: Working Group; members of the Working Group

Require reports not less frequently than annually during the five-year period covered by the strategic plan developed under subsection (b) that include: (A) a summary of collaborative research activities carried out by Working Group members and the members' findings; (B) a progress report on implementing the strategic plan; and (C) any recommendations for legislative or administrative action to improve collaborative research activities among members.

reporting

Affects: Working Group; members of the Working Group

Redesignate existing subsections (c) through (e) of section 501 as subsections (d) through (f), respectively, and update a cross-reference in the redesignated subsection (e) from 'under subsection (c)' to 'under subsection (d)'.

amendment

Affects: Provisions of section 501 (subsections (c)–(f))

Within 180 days after the date of enactment, require the Working Group and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to establish an interagency task force to conduct research on diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of descendants of a toxic-exposed veteran (term defined by reference to 38 U.S.C. §101).

requirement

Affects: Working Group; Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry; interagency task force; descendants of toxic-exposed veterans

Impact Analysis

public information

Affected Groups

Children (minors)

Families

Veterans

Members of the Armed Forces

+2 more

Impact Analysis

Who is affected and how:

Descendants of service members exposed to toxic substances (including children and later-generation family members) are the primary focus: the law directs research and public‑information efforts to identify and communicate potential health risks and available supports. Increased study may lead to better diagnosis, care guidance, and benefits referrals over time.
Service members and veterans: current and former service members who experienced toxic exposures will be indirectly affected because research and findings may inform veteran health programs, outreach, and benefit determinations that concern their families.
Federal agencies (health, veterans, defense, and public‑health research bodies): these agencies must coordinate, set up working groups/task forces, share data, run or fund studies, and produce the required reports on the specified schedule. That creates short‑term workload and planning needs and may require reallocation of staff or seeking additional funds.
Researchers and academic institutions: universities and public‑health researchers will be engaged to fill knowledge gaps, design studies, and analyze data. The law's priorities and reporting cadence will guide research agendas and funding requests.
Health care providers and public‑health systems: as research findings emerge, providers may receive new guidance on screening, diagnosis, and counseling for families of exposed service members; public‑health agencies may run outreach and education based on the mandated information materials.

Overall impact: the legislation increases federal coordination and creates a predictable reporting schedule to improve understanding of possible intergenerational health effects from toxic exposures. Implementation depends on agency capacity and funding; meaningful effects for families depend on study results and any subsequent policy or benefit actions that follow from those results.