Sec. 723. MODIFICATIONS TO BRAIN HEALTH INITIATIVE OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
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## SEC. 723 MODIFICATIONS TO BRAIN HEALTH INITIATIVE OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Section 735 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117–263; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is amended— ####
(1)in subsection (b)(1)— #####
(A)by striking subparagraph
(B)and inserting the following new subparagraph: > > ##### “(B) > > In accordance with subsection (c), the identification and dissemination of thresholds for blast exposure and overpressure safety and associated emerging scientific evidence that— > > > ###### “(i) > > cover brain injury and impulse noise; > > > ###### “(ii) > > measure impact over 24-hour, 72-hour to 96-hour, monthly, annual, and lifetime periods; > > > ###### “(iii) > > are designed to prevent cognitive deficits after firing; > > > ###### “(iv) > > account for the cumulative impact of firing multiple weapon systems during the same period; > > > ###### “(v) > > include minimum safe distances and levels of exposure for observers and instructors; and > > > ###### “(vi) > > address shoulder-fired heavy weapons.” > ; and #####
(B)by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs: > > ##### “(H) > > The establishment of a standardized treatment program based on interventions that have shown benefit to individuals with brain health issues after a brain injury and the provision of that treatment program to individuals with brain health issues after a brain injury resulting from a potential brain exposure described in subparagraph
(A)or high-risk training or occupational activities described in subparagraph (D). > > > ##### “(I) > > The establishment of policies to encourage members of the Armed Forces to seek medical treatment for brain health when needed, prevent retaliation against such members who seek such medical treatment, and address other barriers to seeking medical treatment for brain health due to the impact of blast exposure, blast overpressure, or traumatic brain injury. > > > ##### “(J) > > The modification of existing weapons systems to reduce blast exposure of the individual using the weapon and those within the minimum safe distance.” > ; ####
(2)by striking subsections (c), (e), and (f); ####
(3)by redesignating subsection
(g)as subsection (f); ####
(4)by inserting after subsection
(b)the following new subsection: > > ### “(c) Thresholds for Blast Exposure and Overpressure Safety > > > #### “(1) Timing > > > ##### “(A) Initial thresholds > > Not later than January 1, 2027, the Secretary of Defense shall identify and disseminate the thresholds for blast exposure and overpressure safety under subsection (b)(1)(B). > > > ##### “(B) Periodic updates > > On a quinquennial basis, the Secretary shall review and, as necessary, update the thresholds for blast exposure and overpressure safety under subsection (b)(1)(B). > > > #### “(2) Formal training requirement > > The Secretary shall ensure that training on the thresholds for blast exposure and overpressure safety is provided to members of the Armed Forces before training, deployment, or entering other high-risk environments where exposure to blast overpressure is likely. > > > #### “(3) Central repository > > Not later than January 1, 2027, the Secretary shall establish a central repository of blast-related characteristics, such as pressure profiles and common blast loads associated with specific systems and the environments in which the systems are used. > > > #### “(4) Waivers > > > ##### “(A) Protocols > > The Secretary may waive the thresholds for blast exposure and overpressure safety under subsection (b)(1)(B) for operational or training requirements that the Secretary determines are essential to national security. The Secretary shall include in each such waiver a justification for exceeding such thresholds. > > > ##### “(B) Tracking system > > The Secretary shall establish a Department of Defense-wide tracking system for waivers issued under subparagraph
(A)that includes data contributed by the Secretary of each military department. > > > ##### “(C) Report on waivers > > Not later than one year after issuing a waiver under subparagraph
(A)and annually thereafter for a period of five years, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on such waivers that includes— > > > ###### “(i) > > the number of waivers issued, disaggregated by military department; and > > > ###### “(ii) > > a description of actions taken by the Secretary concerned to track the health effects of exceeding thresholds for blast exposure and overpressure safety on members of the Armed Forces, document such effects in medical records, and provide care to such members.” > ; ####
(5)in subsection (d)— #####
(A)in paragraph (1), by inserting “or other remote measurement technology” after “wearable sensors”; and #####
(B)by adding at the end the following new paragraph: > > #### “(4) Weapons use > > Monitoring activities under a pilot program conducted pursuant to paragraph
(1)shall be carried out for any member of the Armed Forces firing tier 1 weapons in training or combat, as identified by the Secretary of Defense.” > ; and ####
(6)by inserting after subsection
(d)the following new subsection (e): > > ### “(e) Reports on Warfighter Brain Health Initiative > > Not later than December 31, 2025, and not less frequently than annually thereafter for a period of five years, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report that includes the following: > > > #### “(1) > > A description of the activities taken under the Initiative and resources expended under the Initiative during the prior fiscal year. > > > #### “(2) > > The number of members of the Armed Forces impacted by blast overpressure and blast exposure in the prior fiscal year, including— > > > ##### “(A) > > the number of members who reported adverse health effects from blast overpressure or blast exposure; > > > ##### “(B) > > the number of members exposed to blast overpressure or blast exposure; > > > ##### “(C) > > the number of members who received treatment for injuries related to blast overpressure or blast exposure, including at facilities of the Department of Defense and at facilities in the private sector; and > > > ##### “(D) > > the type of care that members receive from facilities of the Department of Defense and the type of care that members receive from facilities in the private sector. > > > #### “(3) > > A summary of the progress made during the prior fiscal year with respect to the objectives of the Initiative under subsection (b). > > > #### “(4) > > A description of the steps the Secretary is taking to ensure that activities under the Initiative are being implemented across the Department of Defense and the military departments.” > .
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Sec. 723
MODIFICATIONS TO BRAIN HEALTH INITIATIVE OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
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