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H.R. 8261 116th Congress House

Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act of 2020

Official title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for a presumption of service connection for certain diseases associated with exposure to toxins, including em… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for a presumption of service connection for certain diseases associated with exposure to toxins, including emissions from open burn pits, and for other purposes.

Introduced: September 15, 2020 Introduced by: Raul Ruiz Democratic · California See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 15, 2020
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sep 15, 2020
Introduced in House
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 Latest action September 15, 2020

Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act of 2020

This bill establishes a presumption of service-connection for specified diseases associated with exposure to open burn pits (an area used for burning solid waste in open air without equipment) and other toxins by veterans who meet certain criteria. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific conditions diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded.

The bill also makes disability or death from certain diseases due to service in support of a military operation for at least 15 days in a specified location compensable as a work injury.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 4572 Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act of 2020
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 14
All 14 Democratic 8 Republican 1
D
Blunt Rochester, Lisa
Delaware · Oct 20, 2020
 D
Cohen, Steve
Tennessee · Oct 20, 2020
 D
Courtney, Joe
Connecticut · Oct 20, 2020
 R
Fitzpatrick, Brian K.
Pennsylvania · Oct 20, 2020
Gabbard, Tulsi
· Oct 20, 2020
 D
Gallego, Ruben
Arizona · Oct 20, 2020
 D
Kim, Andy
New Jersey · Oct 20, 2020
Kuster, Ann
· Oct 20, 2020
 D
Lynch, Stephen F.
Massachusetts · Oct 20, 2020
 D
Morelle, Joseph D.
New York · Oct 20, 2020
Rose, Max
· Oct 20, 2020
Rouda, Harley
· Oct 20, 2020
 D
Sherrill, Mikie
New Jersey · Oct 20, 2020
 D
Suozzi, Thomas R.
New York · Oct 20, 2020
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 8261: Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act of 2020. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8261/
MLA
"H.R. 8261: Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act of 2020." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8261/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 8261, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8261/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 8261: Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act of 2020](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8261/)
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