S. 1393Senate117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Toxic Exposure Training Act of 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 2:16 AM UTC

The Toxic Exposure Training Act of 2021 requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide education and training for Department of Veterans Affairs employees. It directs health‑care staff to learn how to identify, treat, and assess illnesses linked to veterans’ exposure to toxic substances and how to gather exposure information. It also mandates a training program for benefits‑claims processors that handle disability claims related to toxic exposure, with training at least once each year. The bill affects VA personnel and aims to improve care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxins.

Key Provisions

VA health‑care personnel must receive training to recognize, treat, and evaluate the impact of toxic‑substance‑related illnesses and to obtain exposure information from veterans.
VA benefits‑claims processors must have a training program on handling disability claims tied to toxic exposure.
Training for benefits processors must be provided at least annually.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

April 27, 2021

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

April 27, 2021

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

April 27, 2021

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Introduced in SenateIssued April 27, 2021

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1393

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 27, 2021

Ms. Klobuchar (for herself and Mr. Crapo) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

A BILL

To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out training for employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to exposure of veterans to toxic substances.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Toxic Exposure Training Act of 2021.

Training for personnel of the Department of Veterans Affairs with respect to exposure of veterans to toxic substances

(a)

Health care personnel

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide to health care personnel of the Department of Veterans Affairs education and training to identify, treat, and assess the impact on veterans of illnesses related to exposure to toxic substances and inform such personnel of how to ask for additional information from veterans regarding exposure to different toxicants.

(b)

Benefits personnel

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall establish a training program for processors of claims under the laws administered by the Secretary who review claims for disability benefits relating to service-connected disabilities based on exposure to toxic substances.

(2)

Annual training

Training provided to processors under paragraph (1) shall be provided not less frequently than annually.