Toxic Exposure and Women Veterans’ Health Outcomes Act

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 5709 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 5709

To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct an epidemiological study of certain health effects that have been experienced by women veterans, and for other purposes.

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IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

November 10, 2026

Mrs. Gillibrand introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

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A BILL

To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct an epidemiological study of certain health effects that have been experienced by women veterans, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Toxic Exposure and Women Veterans' Health Outcomes Act''.

SEC. 2. RESEARCH STUDY ON HEALTH EFFECTS, INCLUDING EXPOSURE TO BURN PITS, EXPERIENCED BY WOMEN DURING SERVICE IN THE UNIFORMED SERVICES.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in collaboration with the Secretary of Defense, shall conduct an epidemiological study of health effects that have been experienced by covered individuals in the active military, naval, air, or space service, which may have resulted from a covered exposure or exposure to environmental hazards. (b) Evaluation of Gaps in Knowledge and Research.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall evaluate any gaps in knowledge and research of the Department of Veterans Affairs on-- (1) the means of detecting and treating long-term adverse health effects for covered individuals found through the study under subsection (a); (2) the safety and effectiveness of treatments for symptoms that may have related to covered exposure that are specific to covered individuals; (3) the relation of service in the uniformed services to health effects for covered individuals; and (4) the health effects of combat roles on covered individuals, including exposure to burn pits, toxic chemicals, and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (commonly known as ``PFAS''). (c) Reports.-- (1) Preliminary report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a preliminary report on the study conducted under subsection (a). (2) Final report.--Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a final report on the study conducted under subsection (a). (d) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Active military, naval, air, or space service.--The term ``active military, naval, air, or space service'' has the meaning given that term in section 101(24) of title 38, United States Code. (2) Covered exposure.--The term ``covered exposure'' means exposure to an open-air burn pit. (3) Covered individual.--The term ``covered individual'' means a woman who is a toxic-exposed veteran, as defined in section 101(38) of title 38, United States Code. (4) Health effects.--The term ``health effects'' includes-- (A) effects on female reproductive capacity and reproductive organs; (B) effects on reproductive outcomes, including birth defects, adverse reproductive outcomes, and fertility; (C) effects on developmental disabilities (as defined in section 102 of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 15002)) of the children of covered individuals; (D) effects on female-specific organs and tissues; and (E) other effects unique to the physiology of women. <all>