Bone Marrow Radiation Shielding Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 10483
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-09-17: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-09-22T18:37:47Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation directs the Department of Defense to commission an independent scientific assessment of whether using partial body radiation shielding to protect bone marrow can improve an individual's chances of surviving exposure to gamma radiation compared to no shielding.
Key Provisions
- The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense, Policy and Programs must seek an agreement with a University Affiliated Research Center linked to United States Strategic Command within 30 days of enactment.
- The assessment must review peer-reviewed studies, laboratory data, and experiments to compare the effects of bone marrow shielding on:
- Likelihood of developing Acute Radiation Syndrome (a serious illness caused by high radiation exposure).
- Severity of Acute Radiation Syndrome if it occurs.
- Overall death rates after gamma radiation exposure.
- The Assistant Secretary must deliver a report with the assessment findings to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees within 150 days of enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law This bill introduces no amendments to current statutes. It creates a new, one-time requirement for a specific scientific study and congressional reporting.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Requires action by the Department of Defense and coordination with an academic research center.
- On citizens: No direct effects, though findings could later inform medical or protective measures for military or civilian populations in radiation scenarios.
- On international relations: No direct effects identified in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Department of Defense (particularly the Assistant Secretary for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense).
- United States Strategic Command.
- University Affiliated Research Centers.
- Congressional committees on Armed Services.
- Military personnel potentially exposed to radiation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill raises no evident constitutional issues and operates within standard congressional authority over defense research. It focuses solely on directing a scientific evaluation without mandating new policies or programs.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-09-17: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 2026-09-17: Introduced in House
- 2026-09-17: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Bone Marrow Radiation Shielding Act — issued 2026-09-17 — PDF (3 pages)