2010 Indiana Code
TITLE 10. PUBLIC SAFETY
ARTICLE 17. VETERANS' AFFAIRS
CHAPTER 8. REPORTING OF VETERANS EXPOSED TO CHEMICALS

IC 10-17-8
     Chapter 8. Reporting of Veterans Exposed to Chemicals

IC 10-17-8-1
"Agent orange"
     Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "agent orange" means the herbicide composed primarily of trichlorophenoxyacetic acid and dichlorophenoxyacetic acid.
As added by P.L.2-2003, SEC.8.

IC 10-17-8-2
"Department"
     Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "department" refers to the Indiana department of veterans' affairs.
As added by P.L.2-2003, SEC.8.

IC 10-17-8-3
"Director"
     Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "director" refers to the director of veterans' affairs.
As added by P.L.2-2003, SEC.8.

IC 10-17-8-4
"Veteran"
     Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "veteran" means an individual who:
        (1) was a resident of Indiana:
            (A) at the time of the individual's induction into the armed forces of the United States; or
            (B) on or before March 31, 1983; and
        (2) served in Vietnam, Cambodia, or Laos during the Vietnam conflict.
As added by P.L.2-2003, SEC.8.

IC 10-17-8-5
Exposure reports; forms
     Sec. 5. (a) A physician who has primary responsibility for treating a veteran who believes the veteran may have been exposed to chemical defoliants or herbicides or similar agents, including agent orange, while serving in the armed forces of the United States shall, at the request of the veteran, submit a report to the department on a form provided by the department. If there is no physician having primary responsibility for treating the veteran, the hospital treating the veteran shall, at the request of the veteran, submit the report to the department. If the veteran desires to submit a report directly to the department, the veteran must submit the report on a form provided by the department and made available to the veteran at physicians' offices, hospitals, and county courthouses.
    (b) The department shall provide forms to all physicians, hospitals, and county courthouses in Indiana for distribution to a

veteran who believes that the veteran may have been exposed to chemical defoliants or herbicides or similar agents while serving in the armed forces of the United States. Forms provided under this subsection must request the following information:
        (1) Symptoms of the veteran that may be related to exposure to a chemical defoliant or herbicide or similar agent, including agent orange.
        (2) Diagnosis of the veteran.
        (3) Methods of treatment prescribed.
    (c) The department may require the veteran to provide other information determined by the director.
As added by P.L.2-2003, SEC.8.

IC 10-17-8-6
Compilation of information; report by department
     Sec. 6. (a) The department, in consultation and cooperation with a department certified medical toxicologist and herbicide specialist, shall compile information submitted under this chapter into a report. The report must contain an evaluation of the information and shall be distributed annually to the legislative services agency, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the state department of health, and other veterans groups. The report must also contain:
        (1) current research findings on the exposure to chemical defoliants or herbicides or similar agents, including agent orange; and
        (2) statistical information compiled from reports submitted by physicians or hospitals.
    (b) The department shall forward to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs a copy of all forms submitted to the department under section 5 of this chapter.
    (c) A report distributed under subsection (a) to the legislative services agency must be in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6.
As added by P.L.2-2003, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.28-2004, SEC.82.