Veterans' Mysterious Maladies

May 2008

2007 Bills and Resolutions on Depleted Uranium

More than 50 bills including the term "depleted uranium" were introduced in the states last year.  Most related to informing and screening military members and veterans for exposure to depleted uranium in combat.  Those passed into law note the location as chaptered, resolutions as adopted.

ARIZONA

The adjutant general shall assist any member or veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard who is a resident of this state and who served in the Persian Gulf War, or in an area designated as a combat zone during Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom, and who has been assigned a certain risk level for depleted uranium exposure (or has reason to believe such exposure occurred), to obtain a federal best practice health screening test.

The adjutant general shall also submit a report to the governor and the legislature on the scope and adequacy of training received by members of the armed forces and national guard on whether their service entails or is likely to entail exposure to depleted uranium.  The report shall include an assessment of the feasibility and cost of adding pre-deployment training concerning potential exposure to depleted uranium and other toxic chemical substances and the precautions recommended under combat and non-combat conditions while in a combat zone.

CALIFORNIA

CONNECTICUT

The Department of Veterans' Affairs may establish and maintain a registry of data on members of the armed forces, and may develop surveys for members or their health care providers to voluntarily provide data related to members' illnesses and potential correlations to environmental hazards, including depleted uranium.  The department may use the data in the registry to (1) study the potential short-term and long-term effects of such hazards on such members, and (2) inform, customize and coordinate the provision of health care services to such members.

CT H 8002 a - Same language as CT S 742 - included in state budget bill on Human Services and Public Health, which became public law on 7/03/07.

HAWAII

Similar to Arizona bill H 2621, including the creation of a task force on depleted uranium exposure (see Illinois bill S 597).  

Also instructs the department of health to conduct an environmental impact study of the scope and adequacy of depleted uranium storage and disposal in Hawaii.  Based on the reports, the department of health shall make recommendations for the removal and cleanup of depleted uranium in the state.  Appropriates an unspecified amount for this study.

Similar to Hawaii bill H 1046.

Similar to Hawaii bill H 1046.  Also asks the Governor to issue a formal request to the U.S. Department Defense to provide a report on the scope of testing and use of depleted uranium and the adequacy of its storage, transportation, and disposal in Hawaii.

Similar to Hawaii bill HCR 262.
 

Requests the U.S. Armed Forces to take soil, air, and water samples within 500 meters of all military bases in Hawaii to assess for depleted uranium at least once every three months, and annually report to the legislature.

Similar to Hawaii bill HCR 74.

Requires the department of health to take soil samples as close as possible to the center of the target impact sites at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii.

Personnel (Civilian or Hawaii National Guard) reporting symptoms compatible with Gulf War Syndrome, or those exposed to military firing ranges or other suspected depleted uranium sites may be screened.  Requires annual reports to the legislature.

Requests that Hawaii's congressional delegation take action to obtain the assistance of the U.S. Department of Defense to conduct a review of the scope and adequacy of depleted uranium storage, use, and disposal in Hawaii and report on training received by members of the Armed Forces involved in the handling of depleted uranium munitions on exposure to it.

Similar to Hawaii bill HCR 229.

States that George W. Bush and Richard B. Cheney may be in violation of the Geneva Conventions by targeting civilians, journalists, hospitals, and ambulances, and using illegal weapons, including white phosphorous, depleted uranium, and a new type of napalm.

ILLINOIS

Similar to Arizona bill H 2621.Plus - Establishes a task force within the Department of Veterans' Affairs to study the possible health effects of the exposure to hazardous materials, including depleted uranium, as they relate to military service. The task force shall do the following:    (1) Consider initiation of a health registry for veterans returning from Afghanistan, Iraq, or other countries in which depleted uranium or other hazardous materials may be found.    (2) Develop an outreach plan to ensure that veterans and military personnel are informed of available resources.    (3) Prepare a report for service members concerning potential exposure to depleted uranium and other toxic chemical substances and the precautions recommended under combat and non-combat conditions while in a combat zone.

KENTUCKY

A resolution expressing support of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant depleted uranium re-feeding project to take waste product depleted uranium hexafluoride (DUF6) and re-feed it through the plant to create valuable uranium fuel for use in nuclear power plants throughout the world.

MASSACHUSETTS 

Creation and maintenance of an electronic database for certain firearms, including armor-piercing ammunition that may include depleted uranium.

Similar to Massachusetts bill H 2362 above.

Similar to Illinois bill S 597.

MINNESOTA

Similar to Arizona bill H 2621.

The commissioner of veterans affairs, in consultation with the commissioner of health, must select a test that utilizes a bioassay procedure involving sensitive methods capable of detecting depleted uranium at low levels and the use of equipment with the capacity to discriminate between different radioisotopes in naturally occurring levels of uranium and the characteristic ratio and marker for depleted uranium.

An eligible member or veteran who returns to Minnesota after service in an area designated as a combat zone and who has been assigned a certain risk level for depleted uranium exposure by their branch of service, or any other member or veteran who has reason to believe they were exposed to depleted uranium during service, has the right to a best-practice health screening test for exposure.  All Minnesota veterans must be informed of their right to a free screening test.  $1,000,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2007 to the commissioner of veterans affairs for purposes of providing health screenings.

$100,000 appropriated each year for information and outreach regarding the availability of depleted uranium testing. The commissioner shall collaborate with the adjutant general to identify service members and veterans who may have been exposed to expended depleted uranium and to provide them with information regarding screening services provided by the federal government.

A yet undefined amount is appropriated from the bond proceeds fund to the board of directors of the Minnesota veterans homes to establish a veterans facility in Sauk Centre that provides veterans services for either depleted uranium exposure, transitional housing, or a veterans center that provides outreach and group counseling.

MISSISSIPPI

Similar to Arizona bill H 2621.

MONTANA

Similar to Arizona bill H 2621.

Urges the President and members of Congress to recognize that the exposure of members of the armed forces to depleted uranium may lead to health problems that take years to manifest, and therefore provide appropriations and medical services for testing all U.S. armed forces members for exposure to depleted uranium immediately upon their return from locations where these munitions have been used.  Also urges Congress to provide appropriations and administrative mechanisms to record all positive tests for exposure to depleted uranium.

Urges Congress to provide appropriations for medical care for the future health problems of veterans who record a positive test for exposure to depleted uranium and for family members who may suffer indirect harm from that exposure, such as spouses or children with birth defects.

Urges the President and Congress to recognize their moral responsibility to limit future exposure to the damaging effects of depleted uranium by members of the U.S. armed services, civilians, and the natural environment by immediately stopping the manufacture and use of weapons that contain depleted uranium.

Urges Montana's Congressional Delegation to propose legislation to address the current and future health needs of returning combat veterans who have suffered exposure to depleted uranium and the health needs of their families.

Adds to the duties of its Board of Veterans' Affairs the capacity to provide information to assist veterans and their family members in obtaining federal benefits and treatment services related to depleted uranium exposure. 

NEW HAMPSHIRE

There is a public health need to ensure the safe storage, disposal, and clean-up of munitions and other products containing depleted uranium.

Urges the adjutant general to assist any member of the New Hampshire national guard who has handled, used, or stored depleted uranium munitions or equipment and any member who returns to New Hampshire after service in an area designated by the President, and any such member's dependents, to obtain a best practices health screening test for exposure to depleted uranium.  Urges the availability of quality health treatment for all members or veterans of the New Hampshire national guard and their dependents who may have been exposed to depleted uranium.

NEW MEXICO

Similar to Arizona bill H 2621.

Appropriates $25,000 from the general fund to the veterans' services department for expenditure in fiscal year 2008 to develop and provide health-related information to military veterans who may have been exposed to depleted uranium or other isotopes in the Persian Gulf War or in the current Iraq or Afghanistan conflicts, and to make available contact information so that veterans may make inquiries regarding related health care.

Appropriates $200,000 from the general fund to the department of health for expenditure in fiscal year 2008 to develop a testing protocol, develop and establish a health registry, contract with appropriate testing laboratories and coordinate affected parties in regard to a voluntary testing program for military veterans who may have been exposed to depleted uranium or other isotopes in the Persian Gulf War or in the current Iraq or Afghanistan conflict.

Appropriates $40,000 to develop a testing protocol, develop and establish a health registry, contract with appropriate testing laboratories and coordinate affected parties in regard to a voluntary testing program for military veterans who may have been exposed to depleted uranium or other isotopes in the Persian Gulf war or in the current Iraq or Afghanistan conflict.

NEW YORK

Establishes a lung cancer early detection research pilot program in the department of health and makes a $10 million appropriation therefore.  Includes study of military service members exposed to lung cancer carcinogens such as depleted uranium.  (Sister bill: A 7803)

OREGON

Requires Department of Veterans' Affairs to provide information about depleted uranium (and it compounds) and to assist veterans exposed to depleted uranium in obtaining health screening. Requires county veterans' service officers to provide information developed by department to veterans. Specifies that exposure to depleted uranium is condition requiring reports from physicians, statistical compilations and assessments of federal programs from Oregon Public Health Advisory Board and referrals to state and federal agencies for claims for injury caused by exposure.

Directs Director of Veterans' Affairs to assist veterans of military service in obtaining screening tests and treatment services for exposure to depleted uranium.  Creates a Task Force on Exposure to Depleted Uranium, and declares an emergency, effective on passage.

RHODE ISLAND

Similar to Arizona bill H 2621.  Report to general assembly must also include the health effects of the exposure to hazardous materials, including depleted uranium.  Adjunct general must also initiate a health registry, develop a plan for outreach and follow-up, and prepare a report for service members on potential exposure to depleted uranium and other toxic chemical substances and related precautions.

SOUTH DAKOTA

Similar to Arizona bill H 2621.

TEXAS

Similar to Arizona bill H 2621.

Similar to Arizona bill H 2621.

UTAH

Massive budget bill.  One section specifies fees related to registering or renewing a medical practice dealing with depleted uranium cases.

VERMONT

Similar to Arizona bill H 2621.

WASHINGTON

Appropriates $150,000 of the general fund for fiscal year 2007 solely for the military department to: (i) Initiate a health registry for veterans and military personnel returning from Afghanistan, Iraq, or other countries in which depleted uranium or other hazardous materials may be found; (ii) develop a plan for outreach to and follow-up of military personnel; (iii) prepare a report for service members concerning potential exposure to depleted uranium and other toxic chemical substances and the precautions recommended under combat and non-combat conditions while in a combat zone; (iv) submit a report to the joint veterans and military affairs committee on the scope and adequacy of training received by members of the Washington national guard on detecting whether their service as eligible members is likely to entail, or to have entailed, exposure to depleted uranium, including an assessment of the feasibility and cost of adding pre-deployment training concerning potential exposure; (v) study the health effects of hazardous materials exposure including depleted uranium as they relate to military service and submit a report and recommendations to the joint veterans and military affairs committee.

The Operating Appropriations bill included the same language of S 5139 (H 1089) above and passed on 05/15/2007.

WISCONSIN

Requires the adjutant general and the Department of Veterans Affairs to assist national guard members and veterans who may have been exposed to depleted uranium in obtaining the best practice health screening test from the federal government.

Provides information directly to veterans and via the internet on the health effects of depleted uranium exposure, detection programs available, federal treatment programs, and federal and state benefits.

Establishes a depleted uranium study committee to submit a report, with any recommended legislation, regarding the training, medical treatment, and benefits available to national guard members and veterans exposed to depleted uranium and other hazardous materials, to the governor and to the legislature by January 15, 2009.