Sec. 732. Study on testosterone levels of members of Army special operations forces
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Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, in consultation with the Commander of the United States Special Operations Command, shall conduct a five-year study to determine whether the conditions that covered members experience while serving in a covered force affect the testosterone levels of the covered members. The study shall include the following elements: Data on the testosterone levels of each covered member included in the study throughout the period covered by the study, including while the covered member is— participating in any training of a covered force; deployed by a covered force; or otherwise working for a covered force.
With respect to each covered member who joins a covered force during the period covered by the study and is included in the study, data on the testosterone levels of the covered member upon joining the covered force, accounting for, to the extent practicable, any effect on such testosterone levels attributable to an experience of the covered member while in the Armed Forces, prior to joining the covered force. With respect to each covered member who has low testosterone and is included in the study, data on the testosterone levels of the covered member before, during, and after the administration of any remedy (medical or non-medical) recommended to the covered member by a covered force for the treatment of low testosterone.
Data regarding the relationship, if any, between the time of day that the testosterone level of a covered member is measured and the accuracy of the resulting measurement. Data regarding the relationship, if any, between the testosterone levels of a covered member and— the job performance of the covered member; or any marker of long-term health of the covered member. Any other information determined appropriate by the Under Secretary. Not later than one year after the date on which the study under subsection
(a)begins, the Under Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report describing— each process implemented by Under Secretary during the period covered by the report to carry out the study; and any results of the study collected during such period. Not later than one year after the date of the termination of the study under subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the results of the study. Such report shall include the following elements: A comparison between— the data described in subsection (a)(2); and data regarding the testosterone levels of male civilians of a comparable age. The analysis of the Under Secretary as to whether the testosterone levels of covered members are affected by the conditions such covered members experience— during a training of a covered force; while deployed by a covered force; or while otherwise working for a covered force. The assessment of the Under Secretary as to whether the testosterone levels of covered members affect— the readiness of any covered force; or any marker of long-term health of the covered members. A list of each medical procedure a covered force uses, as of the date of the report, to monitor the testosterone levels of covered members. A list of each preventative measure (medical or non-medical) a covered force uses, as of the date of the report, to reduce the likelihood of low testosterone in a covered member. A list of each remedy (medical or non-medical) a covered force uses, as of the date of the report, to— treat low testosterone in a covered member; or mitigate any symptom of low testosterone in a covered member. Recommendations of the Under Secretary regarding— which medical procedures are best suited for use by a covered force in monitoring the testosterone levels of each covered member; whether, in monitoring the testosterone levels of each covered member, a covered force should— account for, to the extent practicable, any effect on the testosterone levels attributable to an experience of the covered member while in the Armed Forces, prior to joining the covered force; or measure the testosterone levels during a specific time of day to increase the accuracy of the measurements; which preventative measures (medical or non-medical) are best suited for use by a covered force as a means to reduce the likelihood of low testosterone in a covered member; and which remedies (medical or non-medical) are best suited for use by a covered force in— the treatment of low testosterone in a covered member; or the mitigation of any symptom of low testosterone in a covered member. A determination of the Under Secretary as to whether a pilot program or clinical trail with respect to the use of testosterone replacement therapy for covered members who have low testosterone would be advisable considering any prevalence of low testosterone observed in the study and any risks associated with testosterone replacement therapy. Any other information the Under Secretary determines appropriate. The reports under this subsection shall be submitted in an unclassified form, but may include a classified annex. In this section: The term covered force means a special operations force that is under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Army. The term covered member means a member of a covered force. The term low testosterone means a condition in which the testosterone levels of an individual— are lower than is average for a healthy individual of comparable age and gender; and negatively affect the well-being, including the mental or physical health, of the individual. The term special operations force means a force identified under section 167(j) of title 10, United States Code.