For the purposes of outreach, education and advocacy for New Mexico service members and veterans who have been exposed to open burn pit smoke or other airborne hazards during their service in operation Iraqi freedom, operation enduring freedom, operation new dawn, the Gulf War 1990-1991 or other conflicts or theaters that may subsequently be identified, the secretary of veterans' services shall:

A. identify a subject-matter expert at the United States department of veterans affairs who has the ability and capacity to assist veterans seeking medical care or assistance with the department of veterans affairs' claims process;

B. make available to veterans the most current medical studies and recommendations with regards to inhalation of toxic substances due to exposure to open burn pits; and

C. establish and maintain a public information program to educate and inform service members, veterans and their families regarding:

(1) how to sign up and use the United States department of veterans affairs burn pit registry and information regarding the veterans health administration's presumptive conditions or diseases believed to have been caused by exposure to open burn pits;

(2) the types of treatment offered by the veterans health administration that are available for any conditions or diseases caused by exposure to open burn pits and care offered outside the veterans health administration that have been approved for medical use;

(3) how to document medical conditions that may be related to exposure to open burn pits and how to apply for a service-connected disability through the United States department of veterans affairs; and

(4) appealing an existing disability rating decision or requesting an upgrade in disability rating from the United States department of veterans affairs.

History: Laws 2015, ch. 94, § 2.

Effective dates. — Laws 2015, ch. 94, § 3 made Laws 2015, ch. 94, § 2 effective July 1, 2015.