HAVANA Act of 2021
- Last Action
- 5/19/2021
Actions
- 2021-05-19Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2021-05-19Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2021-05-19Introduced in House
- 2021-05-19Introduced in House
CRS Summary
As of 2021-05-19 (00)
Helping American Victims Afflicted by Neurological Attacks Act of 2021 or the HAVANA Act of 2021
This bill specifically authorizes the Central Intelligence Agency, the Department of State, and other agencies to provide payments to agency personnel who incur brain injuries from hostilities while on assignment.
Specifically, the bill allows agency personnel and their families to receive payments for brain injuries that are incurred (1) during a period of assignment to a foreign duty station; (2) in connection with war, insurgency, hostile acts, terrorist activity, or other agency-designated incidents; and (3) not as the result of willful misconduct.
The bill's authority applies to injuries incurred before, on, or after the date of the bill's enactment. Agencies must submit classified reports on the bill's implementation, including the number of payments made and the amount of each payment.
Since 2016, some intelligence, diplomatic, and other governmental personnel have reported experiencing unusual cognitive and neurological impairments while on assignment (particularly abroad), the source of which is currently under investigation. Symptoms were first reported by personnel stationed in Cuba and have since been collectively referred to as Havana Syndrome.
Cosponsors (20)
- Devin Nunes (R-CA)
- GREGORY MEEKS (D-NY)
- Michael Turner (R-OH)
- Brad Wenstrup (R-OH)
- Chris Stewart (R-UT)
- Eric Crawford (R-AR)
- Elise Stefanik (R-NY)
- Markwayne Mullin (R-OK)
- Trent Kelly (R-MS)
- Darin LaHood (R-IL)
- Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)
- Peter Welch (D-VT)
- Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
- Sean Maloney (D-NY)
- Jackie Speier (D-CA)
- André Carson (D-IN)
- Mike Quigley (D-IL)
- Joaquin Castro (D-TX)
- Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL)
- James Himes (D-CT)
Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.