← Back to Bills
H.R. 10483House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Bone Marrow Radiation Shielding Act

Sponsored by Don BaconRep. Don Bacon (R-NE)
Introduced September 17, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated September 18, 2026 at 8:19 AM UTC

The Bone Marrow Radiation Shielding Act directs the Defense Department’s Assistant Secretary for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense to arrange an independent study on whether partially shielding the bone marrow can improve survival after gamma‑radiation exposure. The study must be carried out by a University‑Affiliated Research Center linked to U.S. Strategic Command and will inform how to protect service members and others from acute radiation syndrome.

Key Provisions

  • Within 30 days of the law’s enactment, the Assistant Secretary must seek a contract with a qualified University‑Affiliated Research Center to perform the assessment.
  • The assessment will review peer‑reviewed literature, lab work, and experimental data to compare outcomes for people with and without partial bone‑marrow shielding, focusing on the chance of developing Acute Radiation Syndrome, its severity, and overall mortality after gamma exposure.
  • A report summarizing the findings must be delivered to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees no later than 150 days after enactment.

Legislative Activity

Stay on top of the latest movement without scrolling through every action

1 earlier action
HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

September 17, 2026

View full timeline
HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 17, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

September 17, 2026

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

Reading Mode
Latest
Raw Text PDF XML
Introduced in HouseIssued September 17, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10483

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 17, 2026

Mr. Bacon introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

A BILL

To direct the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense, Policy and Programs to seek to enter into an agreement with a University Affiliated Research Center affiliated with United States Strategic Command to conduct an independent scientific assessment with respect to bone marrow radiation shielding for nuclear survivability.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Bone Marrow Radiation Shielding Act.

2.

Independent assessment of bone marrow radiation shielding for nuclear survivability

(a)

Assessment required

Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense, Policy and Programs shall seek to enter into an agreement with a University Affiliated Research Center affiliated with United States Strategic Command to conduct an independent scientific assessment on whether preserving the viability of bone marrow using partial body radiation shielding can improve the survivability of an individual exposed to gamma radiation as compared to an individual without such protection.

(b)

Elements

The assessment required under subsection (a) shall examine peer-reviewed scientific literature, laboratory studies and relevant experimental data to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of preserving bone marrow using partial body radiation shielding with respect to—

(1)

the likelihood of developing Acute Radiation Syndrome;

(2)

the severity of Acute Radiation Syndrome when it occurs; and

(3)

overall mortality rates following gamma radiation exposure.

(c)

Report

Not later than 150 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the assessment required under subsection (a) that includes the findings of such assessment.