42 USC CHAPTER 84, SUBCHAPTER XVI, Part B: Program Administration

From Title 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARECHAPTER 84—DEPARTMENT OF ENERGYSUBCHAPTER XVI—ENERGY EMPLOYEES OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESS COMPENSATION PROGRAM

Part B—Program Administration

§7384l. Definitions for program administration

In this subchapter:

(1) The term "covered employee" means any of the following:

(A) A covered beryllium employee.

(B) A covered employee with cancer.

(C) To the extent provided in section 7384r of this title, a covered employee with chronic silicosis (as defined in that section).

(2) The term "atomic weapon" has the meaning given that term in section 2014(d) of this title.

(3) The term "atomic weapons employee" means any of the following:

(A) An individual employed by an atomic weapons employer during a period when the employer was processing or producing, for the use by the United States, material that emitted radiation and was used in the production of an atomic weapon, excluding uranium mining and milling.

(B) An individual employed—

(i) at a facility with respect to which the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, in its report dated October 2003 and titled "Report on Residual Radioactive and Beryllium Contamination at Atomic Weapons Employer Facilities and Beryllium Vendor Facilities", or any update to that report, found that there is a potential for significant residual contamination outside of the period in which weapons-related production occurred;

(ii) by an atomic weapons employer or subsequent owner or operators of a facility described in clause (i); and

(iii) during a period, as specified in such report or any update to such report, of potential for significant residual radioactive contamination at such facility.

(4) The term "atomic weapons employer" means an entity, other than the United States, that—

(A) processed or produced, for use by the United States, material that emitted radiation and was used in the production of an atomic weapon, excluding uranium mining and milling; and

(B) is designated by the Secretary of Energy as an atomic weapons employer for purposes of the compensation program.

(5) The term "atomic weapons employer facility" means a facility, owned by an atomic weapons employer, that is or was used to process or produce, for use by the United States, material that emitted radiation and was used in the production of an atomic weapon, excluding uranium mining or milling.

(6) The term "beryllium vendor" means any of the following:

(A) Atomics International.

(B) Brush Wellman, Incorporated, and its predecessor, Brush Beryllium Company.

(D) General Electric Company.

(E) NGK Metals Corporation and its predecessors, Kawecki-Berylco, Cabot Corporation, BerylCo, and Beryllium Corporation of America.

(F) Nuclear Materials and Equipment Corporation.

(G) StarMet Corporation and its predecessor, Nuclear Metals, Incorporated.

(H) Wyman Gordan, Incorporated.

(I) Any other vendor, processor, or producer of beryllium or related products designated as a beryllium vendor for purposes of the compensation program under section 7384m of this title.

(7) The term "covered beryllium employee" means the following, if and only if the employee is determined to have been exposed to beryllium in the performance of duty in accordance with section 7384n(a) of this title:

(A) A current or former employee (as that term is defined in section 8101(1) of title 5) who may have been exposed to beryllium at a Department of Energy facility or at a facility owned, operated, or occupied by a beryllium vendor.

(B) A current or former employee of—

(i) any entity that contracted with the Department of Energy to provide management and operation, management and integration, or environmental remediation of a Department of Energy facility; or

(ii) any contractor or subcontractor that provided services, including construction and maintenance, at such a facility.

(C) A current or former employee of a beryllium vendor, or of a contractor or subcontractor of a beryllium vendor, during a period when the vendor was engaged in activities related to the production or processing of beryllium for sale to, or use by, the Department of Energy.

(8) The term "covered beryllium illness" means any of the following:

(A) Beryllium sensitivity as established by—

(i) an abnormal beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test performed on either blood or lung lavage cells; or

(ii) three borderline beryllium lymphocyte proliferation tests performed on blood cells over a period of 3 years.

(B) Established chronic beryllium disease.

(C) Any injury, illness, impairment, or disability sustained as a consequence of a covered beryllium illness referred to in subparagraph (A) or (B).

(9) The term "covered employee with cancer" means any of the following:

(A) An individual with a specified cancer who is a member of the Special Exposure Cohort, if and only if that individual contracted that specified cancer after beginning employment at a Department of Energy facility (in the case of a Department of Energy employee or Department of Energy contractor employee) or at an atomic weapons employer facility (in the case of an atomic weapons employee).

(B)(i) An individual with cancer specified in subclause (I), (II), or (III) of clause (ii), if and only if that individual is determined to have sustained that cancer in the performance of duty in accordance with section 7384n(b) of this title.

(ii) Clause (i) applies to any of the following:

(I) A Department of Energy employee who contracted that cancer after beginning employment at a Department of Energy facility.

(II) A Department of Energy contractor employee who contracted that cancer after beginning employment at a Department of Energy facility.

(III) An atomic weapons employee who contracted that cancer after beginning employment at an atomic weapons employer facility.

(10) The term "Department of Energy" includes the predecessor agencies of the Department of Energy, including the Manhattan Engineering District.

(11) The term "Department of Energy contractor employee" means any of the following:

(A) An individual who is or was in residence at a Department of Energy facility as a researcher for one or more periods aggregating at least 24 months.

(B) An individual who is or was employed at a Department of Energy facility by—

(i) an entity that contracted with the Department of Energy to provide management and operating, management and integration, or environmental remediation at the facility; or

(ii) a contractor or subcontractor that provided services, including construction and maintenance, at the facility.

(12) The term "Department of Energy facility" means any building, structure, or premise, including the grounds upon which such building, structure, or premise is located—

(A) in which operations are, or have been, conducted by, or on behalf of, the Department of Energy (except for buildings, structures, premises, grounds, or operations covered by Executive Order No. 12344, dated February 1, 1982, pertaining to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program); and

(B) with regard to which the Department of Energy has or had—

(i) a proprietary interest; or

(ii) entered into a contract with an entity to provide management and operation, management and integration, environmental remediation services, construction, or maintenance services.

(13) The term "established chronic beryllium disease" means chronic beryllium disease as established by the following:

(A) For diagnoses on or after January 1, 1993, beryllium sensitivity (as established in accordance with paragraph (8)(A)), together with lung pathology consistent with chronic beryllium disease, including—

(i) a lung biopsy showing granulomas or a lymphocytic process consistent with chronic beryllium disease;

(ii) a computerized axial tomography scan showing changes consistent with chronic beryllium disease; or

(iii) pulmonary function or exercise testing showing pulmonary deficits consistent with chronic beryllium disease.

(B) For diagnoses before January 1, 1993, the presence of—

(i) occupational or environmental history, or epidemiologic evidence of beryllium exposure; and

(ii) any three of the following criteria:

(I) Characteristic chest radiographic (or computed tomography (CT)) abnormalities.

(II) Restrictive or obstructive lung physiology testing or diffusing lung capacity defect.

(III) Lung pathology consistent with chronic beryllium disease.

(IV) Clinical course consistent with a chronic respiratory disorder.

(V) Immunologic tests showing beryllium sensitivity (skin patch test or beryllium blood test preferred).

(14) The term "member of the Special Exposure Cohort" means a Department of Energy employee, Department of Energy contractor employee, or atomic weapons employee who meets any of the following requirements:

(A) The employee was so employed for a number of work days aggregating at least 250 work days before February 1, 1992, at a gaseous diffusion plant located in Paducah, Kentucky, Portsmouth, Ohio, or Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and, during such employment—

(i) was monitored through the use of dosimetry badges for exposure at the plant of the external parts of employee's body to radiation; or

(ii) worked in a job that had exposures comparable to a job that is or was monitored through the use of dosimetry badges.

(B) The employee was so employed before January 1, 1974, by the Department of Energy or a Department of Energy contractor or subcontractor on Amchitka Island, Alaska, and was exposed to ionizing radiation in the performance of duty related to the Long Shot, Milrow, or Cannikin underground nuclear tests.

(C)(i) Subject to clause (ii), the employee is an individual designated as a member of the Special Exposure Cohort by the President for purposes of the compensation program under section 7384q of this title.

(ii) A designation under clause (i) shall, unless Congress otherwise provides, take effect on the date that is 30 days after the date on which the President submits to Congress a report identifying the individuals covered by the designation and describing the criteria used in designating those individuals.

(15) The term "occupational illness" means a covered beryllium illness, cancer referred to in paragraph (9)(B), specified cancer, or chronic silicosis, as the case may be.

(16) The term "radiation" means ionizing radiation in the form of—

(A) alpha particles;

(B) beta particles;

(D) gamma rays; or

(E) accelerated ions or subatomic particles from accelerator machines.

(17) The term "specified cancer" means any of the following:

(A) A specified disease, as that term is defined in section 4(b)(2) of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (42 U.S.C. 2210 note).

(B) Bone cancer.

(D) Leukemia (other than chronic lymphocytic leukemia), if initial occupational exposure occurred before 21 years of age and onset occurred more than two years after initial occupational exposure.

(Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [div. C, title XXXVI, §3621], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A-498; Pub. L. 107–20, title II, §2403(a), July 24, 2001, 115 Stat. 175; Pub. L. 107–107, div. C, title XXXI, §3151(a)(1), (4)(C), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1371, 1374; Pub. L. 108–375, div. C, title XXXI, §§3166(b)(2), 3168(a), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 2189, 2190; Pub. L. 118–31, div. E, title LV, §5501(b), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 956.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Executive Order No. 12344, referred to in par. (12)(A), is set out as a note under section 2511 of Title 50, War and National Defense.

Section 4(b)(2) of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, referred to in par. (17)(A), is section 4(b)(2) of Pub. L. 101–426, which is set out in a note under section 2210 of this title.

Amendments

2023—Par. (8)(A). Pub. L. 118–31 inserted dash after "established by", designated remainder of existing provisions as cl. (i), and added cl. (ii).

2004—Par. (3). Pub. L. 108–375, §3168(a), amended par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (3) read as follows: "The term 'atomic weapons employee' means an individual employed by an atomic weapons employer during a period when the employer was processing or producing, for the use by the United States, material that emitted radiation and was used in the production of an atomic weapon, excluding uranium mining and milling."

Par. (14)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 108–375, §3166(b)(2), substituted "30 days" for "180 days".

2001—Par. (17)(C). Pub. L. 107–20 added subpar. (C).

Par. (17)(D). Pub. L. 107–107, §3151(a)(1), added subpar. (D).

Par. (18). Pub. L. 107–107, §3151(a)(4)(C), struck out par. (18) which read as follows: "The term 'survivor' means any individual or individuals eligible to receive compensation pursuant to section 8133 of title 5."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2001 Amendments

Pub. L. 107–107, div. C, title XXXI, §3151(a)(4)(D), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1374, provided that: "The amendments made by this paragraph [amending this section and sections 7384s and 7384u of this title] shall take effect on July 1, 2001."

Pub. L. 107–20, title II, §2403(b), July 24, 2001, 115 Stat. 175, provided that: "This section [amending this section] shall be effective on October 1, 2001."

§7384m. Expansion of list of beryllium vendors

Not later than December 31, 2002, the President may, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, designate as a beryllium vendor for purposes of section 7384l(6) of this title any vendor, processor, or producer of beryllium or related products not previously listed under or designated for purposes of such section 7384l(6) of this title if the President finds that such vendor, processor, or producer has been engaged in activities related to the production or processing of beryllium for sale to, or use by, the Department of Energy in a manner similar to the entities listed in such section 7384l(6) of this title.

(Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [div. C, title XXXVI, §3622], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A-502.)

Executive Documents

Delegation of Functions

For delegation of certain functions of the President under this section, see Ex. Ord. No. 13179, Dec. 7, 2000, 65 F.R. 77487, set out as a note under section 7384 of this title.

§7384n. Exposure in the performance of duty

(a) Beryllium

A covered beryllium employee shall, in the absence of substantial evidence to the contrary, be determined to have been exposed to beryllium in the performance of duty for the purposes of the compensation program if, and only if, the covered beryllium employee was—

(1) employed at a Department of Energy facility; or

(2) present at a Department of Energy facility, or a facility owned and operated by a beryllium vendor, because of employment by the United States, a beryllium vendor, or a contractor or subcontractor of the Department of Energy,

during a period when beryllium dust, particles, or vapor may have been present at such facility.

(b) Cancer

An individual with cancer specified in subclause (I), (II), or (III) of section 7384l(9)(B)(ii) of this title shall be determined to have sustained that cancer in the performance of duty for purposes of the compensation program if, and only if, the cancer specified in that subclause was at least as likely as not related to employment at the facility specified in that subclause, as determined in accordance with the guidelines established under subsection (c).

(c) Guidelines

(1) For purposes of the compensation program, the President shall by regulation establish guidelines for making the determinations required by subsection (b).

(2) The President shall establish such guidelines after technical review by the Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health under section 7384o of this title.

(3) Such guidelines shall—

(A) be based on the radiation dose received by the employee (or a group of employees performing similar work) at such facility and the upper 99 percent confidence interval of the probability of causation in the radioepidemiological tables published under section 7(b) of the Orphan Drug Act (42 U.S.C. 241 note), as such tables may be updated under section 7(b)(3) of such Act from time to time;

(B) incorporate the methods established under subsection (d); and

(C) take into consideration the type of cancer, past health-related activities (such as smoking), information on the risk of developing a radiation-related cancer from workplace exposure, and other relevant factors.

(4) In the case of an atomic weapons employee described in section 7384l(3)(B) of this title, the following doses of radiation shall be treated, for purposes of paragraph (3)(A) of this subsection, as part of the radiation dose received by the employee at such facility:

(A) Any dose of ionizing radiation received by that employee from facilities, materials, devices, or byproducts used or generated in the research, development, production, dismantlement, transportation, or testing of nuclear weapons, or from any activities to research, produce, process, store, remediate, or dispose of radioactive materials by or on behalf of the Department of Energy (except for activities covered by Executive Order No. 12344, dated February 1, 1982 (42 U.S.C. 7158 note) pertaining to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program).

(B) Any dose of ionizing radiation received by that employee from a source not covered by subparagraph (A) that is not distinguishable through reliable documentation from a dose covered by subparagraph (A).

(d) Methods for radiation dose reconstructions

(1) The President shall, through any Federal agency (other than the Department of Energy) or official (other than the Secretary of Energy or any other official within the Department of Energy) that the President may designate, establish by regulation methods for arriving at reasonable estimates of the radiation doses received by an individual specified in subparagraph (B) of section 7384l(9) of this title at a facility specified in that subparagraph by each of the following employees:

(A) An employee who was not monitored for exposure to radiation at such facility.

(B) An employee who was monitored inadequately for exposure to radiation at such facility.

(2) The President shall establish an independent review process using the Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health to—

(A) assess the methods established under paragraph (1); and

(B) verify a reasonable sample of the doses established under paragraph (1).

(e) Information on radiation doses

(1) The Secretary of Energy shall provide, to each covered employee with cancer specified in section 7384l(9)(B) of this title, information specifying the estimated radiation dose of that employee during each employment specified in section 7384l(9)(B) of this title, whether established by a dosimetry reading, by a method established under subsection (d), or by both a dosimetry reading and such method.

(2) The Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Energy shall each make available to researchers and the general public information on the assumptions, methodology, and data used in establishing radiation doses under subsection (d). The actions taken under this paragraph shall be consistent with the protection of private medical records.

(Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [div. C, title XXXVI, §3623], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A-502; Pub. L. 108–375, div. C, title XXXI, §3168(b), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 2190.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 7(b) of the Orphan Drug Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(3)(A), is section 7(b) of Pub. L. 97–414, which is set out in a note under section 241 of this title.

Amendments

2004—Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 108–375 added par. (4).

Executive Documents

Delegation of Functions

For delegation of certain functions of the President under this section, see Ex. Ord. No. 13179, Dec. 7, 2000, 65 F.R. 77487, set out as a note under section 7384 of this title.

§7384o. Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health

(a) Establishment

(1) Not later than 120 days after October 30, 2000, the President shall establish and appoint an Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health (in this section referred to as the "Board").

(2) The President shall make appointments to the Board in consultation with organizations with expertise on worker health issues in order to ensure that the membership of the Board reflects a balance of scientific, medical, and worker perspectives.

(3) The President shall designate a Chair for the Board from among its members.

(b) Duties

The Board shall advise the President on—

(1) the development of guidelines under section 7384n(c) of this title;

(2) the scientific validity and quality of dose estimation and reconstruction efforts being performed for purposes of the compensation program; and

(3) such other matters related to radiation and worker health in Department of Energy facilities as the President considers appropriate.

(c) Staff

(1) The President shall appoint a staff to facilitate the work of the Board. The staff shall be headed by a Director who shall be appointed under subchapter VIII of chapter 33 of title 5.

(2) The President may accept as staff of the Board personnel on detail from other Federal agencies. The detail of personnel under this paragraph may be on a nonreimbursable basis.

(d) Expenses

Members of the Board, other than full-time employees of the United States, while attending meetings of the Board or while otherwise serving at the request of the President, while serving away from their homes or regular places of business, shall be allowed travel and meal expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5 for individuals in the Government serving without pay.

(e) Security clearances

(1) The Secretary of Energy shall ensure that the members and staff of the Board, and the contractors performing work in support of the Board, are afforded the opportunity to apply for a security clearance for any matter for which such a clearance is appropriate. The Secretary should, not later than 180 days after receiving a completed application, make a determination whether or not the individual concerned is eligible for the clearance.

(2) For fiscal year 2007 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary of Energy shall include in the budget justification materials submitted to Congress in support of the Department of Energy budget for that fiscal year (as submitted with the budget of the President under section 1105(a) of title 31) a report specifying the number of applications for security clearances under this subsection, the number of such applications granted, and the number of such applications denied.

(f) Information

The Secretary of Energy shall, in accordance with law, provide to the Board and the contractors of the Board access to any information that the Board considers relevant to carry out its responsibilities under this subchapter, including information such as Restricted Data (as defined in section 2014(y) of this title) and information covered by the Privacy Act [5 U.S.C. 552a].

(Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [div. C, title XXXVI, §3624], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A-504; Pub. L. 108–375, div. C, title XXXI, §3166(a), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 2188.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Privacy Act, referred to in subsec. (f), is probably a reference to section 552a of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees. See Short Title note set out under section 552a of Title 5.

Amendments

2004—Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 108–375 added subsecs. (e) and (f).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Termination of Advisory Boards

Advisory boards established after Jan. 5, 1973, to terminate not later than the expiration of the 2-year period beginning on the date of their establishment, unless, in the case of a board established by the President or an officer of the Federal Government, such board is renewed by appropriate action prior to the expiration of such 2-year period, or in the case of a board established by Congress, its duration is otherwise provided by law. See sections 1001(2) and 1013 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

§7384p. Responsibilities of Secretary of Health and Human Services

The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall carry out that Secretary's responsibilities with respect to the compensation program with the assistance of the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

(Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [div. C, title XXXVI, §3625], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A-504.)

§7384q. Designation of additional members of special exposure cohort

(a) Advice on additional members

(1) The Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health under section 7384o of this title shall advise the President whether there is a class of employees at any Department of Energy facility who likely were exposed to radiation at that facility but for whom it is not feasible to estimate with sufficient accuracy the radiation dose they received.

(2) The advice of the Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health under paragraph (1) shall be based on exposure assessments by radiation health professionals, information provided by the Department of Energy, and such other information as the Advisory Board considers appropriate.

(3) The President shall request advice under paragraph (1) after consideration of petitions by classes of employees described in that paragraph for such advice. The President shall consider such petitions pursuant to procedures established by the President.

(b) Designation of additional members

Subject to the provisions of section 7384l(14)(C) of this title, the members of a class of employees at a Department of Energy facility, or at an atomic weapons employer facility, may be treated as members of the Special Exposure Cohort for purposes of the compensation program if the President, upon recommendation of the Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health, determines that—

(1) it is not feasible to estimate with sufficient accuracy the radiation dose that the class received; and

(2) there is a reasonable likelihood that such radiation dose may have endangered the health of members of the class.

(c) Deadlines

(1) Not later than 180 days after the date on which the President receives a petition for designation as members of the Special Exposure Cohort, the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health shall submit to the Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health a recommendation on that petition, including all supporting documentation.

(2)(A) Upon receipt by the President of a recommendation of the Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health that the President should determine in the affirmative that paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) apply to a class, the President shall have a period of 30 days in which to determine whether such paragraphs apply to the class and to submit that determination (whether affirmative or negative) to Congress.

(B) If the determination submitted by the President under subparagraph (A) is in the affirmative, the President shall also submit a report meeting the requirements of section 7384l(14)(C)(ii) of this title.

(C) If the President does not submit a determination required by subparagraph (A) within the period required by subparagraph (A), then upon the day following the expiration of that period, it shall be deemed for purposes of section 7384l(14)(C)(ii) of this title that the President submitted the report under that provision on that day.

(d) Access to information

The Secretary of Energy shall provide, in accordance with law, the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the members and staff of the Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health access to relevant information on worker exposures, including access to Restricted Data (as defined in section 2014(y) of this title.¹

(Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [div. C, title XXXVI, §3626], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A-504; Pub. L. 107–107, div. C, title XXXI, §3151(a)(2), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1372; Pub. L. 108–375, div. C, title XXXI, §3166(b)(1), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 2188.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2004—Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 108–375 added subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsec. (c) as (d).

2001—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 107–107 inserted ", or at an atomic weapons employer facility," after "Department of Energy facility" in introductory provisions.

¹ So in original. A closing parenthesis should probably follow "title".

§7384r. Separate treatment of chronic silicosis

(a) Sense of Congress

Congress finds that employees who worked in Department of Energy test sites and later contracted chronic silicosis should also be considered for inclusion in the compensation program. Recognizing that chronic silicosis resulting from exposure to silica is not a condition unique to the nuclear weapons industry, it is not the intent of Congress with this subchapter to establish a precedent on the question of chronic silicosis as a compensable occupational disease. Consequently, it is the sense of Congress that a further determination by the President is appropriate before these workers are included in the compensation program.

(b) Certification by President

A covered employee with chronic silicosis shall be treated as a covered employee (as defined in section 7384l(1) of this title) for the purposes of the compensation program required by section 7384d of this title unless the President submits to Congress not later than 180 days after October 30, 2000, the certification of the President that there is insufficient basis to include such employees. The President shall submit with the certification any recommendations about the compensation program with respect to covered employees with chronic silicosis as the President considers appropriate.

(c) Exposure to silica in the performance of duty

A covered employee shall, in the absence of substantial evidence to the contrary, be determined to have been exposed to silica in the performance of duty for the purposes of the compensation program if, and only if, the employee was present for a number of work days aggregating at least 250 work days during the mining of tunnels at a Department of Energy facility located in Nevada or Alaska for tests or experiments related to an atomic weapon.

(d) Covered employee with chronic silicosis

For purposes of this subchapter, the term "covered employee with chronic silicosis" means a Department of Energy employee, or a Department of Energy contractor employee, with chronic silicosis who was exposed to silica in the performance of duty as determined under subsection (c).

(e) Chronic silicosis

For purposes of this subchapter, the term "chronic silicosis" means a nonmalignant lung disease if—

(1) the initial occupational exposure to silica dust preceded the onset of silicosis by at least 10 years; and

(2) a written diagnosis of silicosis is made by a medical doctor and is accompanied by—

(A) a chest radiograph, interpreted by an individual certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health as a B reader, classifying the existence of pneumoconioses of category 1/0 or higher;

(B) results from a computer assisted tomograph or other imaging technique that are consistent with silicosis; or

(Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [div. C, title XXXVI, §3627], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A-505; Pub. L. 107–107, div. C, title XXXI, §3151(a)(3), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1372.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2001—Subsec. (e)(2)(A). Pub. L. 107–107 substituted "category 1/0" for "category 1/1".

§7384s. Compensation and benefits to be provided

(a) Compensation provided

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a covered employee, or the survivor of that covered employee if the employee is deceased, shall receive compensation for the disability or death of that employee from that employee's occupational illness in the amount of $150,000.

(2) A covered employee shall, to the extent that employee's occupational illness is established beryllium sensitivity, receive beryllium sensitivity monitoring under subsection (c) in lieu of compensation under paragraph (1).

(b) Medical benefits

A covered employee shall receive medical benefits under section 7384t of this title for that employee's occupational illness.

(c) Beryllium sensitivity monitoring

An individual receiving beryllium sensitivity monitoring under this subsection shall receive the following:

(1) A thorough medical examination to confirm the nature and extent of the individual's established beryllium sensitivity.

(2) Regular medical examinations thereafter to determine whether that individual has developed established chronic beryllium disease.

(d) Payment from compensation fund

The compensation provided under this section, when authorized or approved by the President, shall be paid from the compensation fund established under section 7384e of this title.

(e) Payments in the case of deceased persons

(1) In the case of a covered employee who is deceased at the time of payment of compensation under this section, whether or not the death is the result of the covered employee's occupational illness, such payment may be made only as follows:

(A) If the covered employee is survived by a spouse who is living at the time of payment, such payment shall be made to such surviving spouse.

(B) If there is no surviving spouse described in subparagraph (A), such payment shall be made in equal shares to all children of the covered employee who are living at the time of payment.

(C) If there is no surviving spouse described in subparagraph (A) and if there are no children described in subparagraph (B), such payment shall be made in equal shares to the parents of the covered employee who are living at the time of payment.

(D) If there is no surviving spouse described in subparagraph (A), and if there are no children described in subparagraph (B) or parents described in subparagraph (C), such payment shall be made in equal shares to all grandchildren of the covered employee who are living at the time of payment.

(E) If there is no surviving spouse described in subparagraph (A), and if there are no children described in subparagraph (B), parents described in subparagraph (C), or grandchildren described in subparagraph (D), then such payment shall be made in equal shares to the grandparents of the covered employee who are living at the time of payment.

(F) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this paragraph, if there is—

(i) a surviving spouse described in subparagraph (A); and

(ii) at least one child of the covered employee who is living and a minor at the time of payment and who is not a recognized natural child or adopted child of such surviving spouse,

then half of such payment shall be made to such surviving spouse, and the other half of such payment shall be made in equal shares to each child of the covered employee who is living and a minor at the time of payment.

(2) If a covered employee eligible for payment dies before filing a claim under this subchapter, a survivor of that employee who may receive payment under paragraph (1) may file a claim for such payment.

(3) For purposes of this subsection—

(A) the "spouse" of an individual is a wife or husband of that individual who was married to that individual for at least one year immediately before the death of that individual;

(B) a "child" includes a recognized natural child, a stepchild who lived with an individual in a regular parent-child relationship, and an adopted child;

(D) a "grandchild" of an individual is a child of a child of that individual; and

(E) a "grandparent" of an individual is a parent of a parent of that individual.

(f) Effective date

This section shall take effect on July 31, 2001, unless Congress otherwise provides in an Act enacted before that date.

(Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [div. C, title XXXVI, §3628], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A-506; Pub. L. 107–107, div. C, title XXXI, §3151(a)(4)(A), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1372.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2001—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 107–107 amended heading and text of subsec. (e) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:

"(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, if a covered employee dies before the effective date specified in subsection (f) of this section, whether or not the death is a result of that employee's occupational illness, a survivor of that employee may, on behalf of that survivor and any other survivors of that employee, receive the compensation provided for under this section.

"(2) The right to receive compensation under this section shall be afforded to survivors in the same order of precedence as that set forth in section 8109 of title 5."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2001 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–107 effective July 1, 2001, see section 3151(a)(4)(D) of Pub. L. 107–107, set out as a note under section 7384l of this title.

§7384t. Medical benefits

(a) Medical benefits provided

The United States shall furnish, to an individual receiving medical benefits under this section for an illness, the services, appliances, and supplies prescribed or recommended by a qualified physician for that illness, which the President considers likely to cure, give relief, or reduce the degree or the period of that illness.

(b) Persons furnishing benefits

(1) These services, appliances, and supplies shall be furnished by or on the order of United States medical officers and hospitals, or, at the individual's option, by or on the order of physicians and hospitals designated or approved by the President.

(2) The individual may initially select a physician to provide medical services, appliances, and supplies under this section in accordance with such regulations and instructions as the President considers necessary.

(c) Transportation and expenses

The individual may be furnished necessary and reasonable transportation and expenses incident to the securing of such services, appliances, and supplies.

(d) Commencement of benefits

An individual receiving benefits under this section shall be furnished those benefits as of the date on which that individual submitted the claim for those benefits in accordance with this subchapter.

(e) Payment from compensation fund

The benefits provided under this section, when authorized or approved by the President, shall be paid from the compensation fund established under section 7384e of this title.

(f) Effective date

This section shall take effect on July 31, 2001, unless Congress otherwise provides in an Act enacted before that date.

(Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [div. C, title XXXVI, §3629], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A-507.)

§7384u. Separate treatment of certain uranium employees

(a) Compensation provided

An individual who receives, or has received, $100,000 under section 5 of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (42 U.S.C. 2210 note) for a claim made under that Act (hereafter in this section referred to as a "covered uranium employee"), or the survivor of that covered uranium employee if the employee is deceased, shall receive compensation under this section in the amount of $50,000.

(b) Medical benefits

A covered uranium employee shall receive medical benefits under section 7384t of this title for the illness for which that employee received $100,000 under section 5 of that Act.

(c) Coordination with RECA

The compensation and benefits provided in subsections (a) and (b) are separate from any compensation or benefits provided under that Act.

(d) Payment from compensation fund

The compensation provided under this section and the compensation provided under section 5 of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, when authorized or approved by the President, shall be paid from the compensation fund established under section 7384e of this title.

(e) Payments in the case of deceased persons

(A) If the covered employee is survived by a spouse who is living at the time of payment, such payment shall be made to such surviving spouse.

(B) If there is no surviving spouse described in subparagraph (A), such payment shall be made in equal shares to all children of the covered employee who are living at the time of payment.

(F) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this paragraph, if there is—

(i) a surviving spouse described in subparagraph (A); and

(ii) at least one child of the covered employee who is living and a minor at the time of payment and who is not a recognized natural child or adopted child of such surviving spouse,

(3) For purposes of this subsection—

(A) the "spouse" of an individual is a wife or husband of that individual who was married to that individual for at least one year immediately before the death of that individual;

(B) a "child" includes a recognized natural child, a stepchild who lived with an individual in a regular parent-child relationship, and an adopted child;

(D) a "grandchild" of an individual is a child of a child of that individual; and

(E) a "grandparent" of an individual is a parent of a parent of that individual.

(f) Procedures required

The President shall establish procedures to identify and notify each covered uranium employee, or the survivor of that covered uranium employee if that employee is deceased, of the availability of compensation and benefits under this section.

(g) Effective date

This section shall take effect on July 31, 2001, unless Congress otherwise provides in an Act enacted before that date.

(Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [div. C, title XXXVI, §3630], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A-507; Pub. L. 107–107, div. C, title XXXI, §3151(a)(4)(B), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1373; Pub. L. 108–375, div. C, title XXXI, §3165(a), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 2187.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, referred to in subsecs. (a) to (d), is Pub. L. 101–426, Oct. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 920, which is set out as a note under section 2210 of this title.

Amendments

2004—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 108–375 inserted "and the compensation provided under section 5 of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act" after "The compensation provided under this section".

2001—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 107–107 amended heading and text of subsec. (e) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:

"(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, if a covered uranium employee dies before the effective date specified in subsection (g) of this section, whether or not the death is a result of the illness specified in subsection (b) of this section, a survivor of that employee may, on behalf of that survivor and any other survivors of that employee, receive the compensation provided for under this section.

"(2) The right to receive compensation under this section shall be afforded to survivors in the same order of precedence as that set forth in section 8109 of title 5."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2001 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–107 effective July 1, 2001, see section 3151(a)(4)(D) of Pub. L. 107–107, set out as a note under section 7384l of this title.

§7384v. Assistance for claimants and potential claimants

(a) Assistance for claimants

The President shall, upon the receipt of a request for assistance from a claimant under the compensation program, provide assistance to the claimant in connection with the claim, including—

(1) assistance in securing medical testing and diagnostic services necessary to establish the existence of a covered beryllium illness, chronic silicosis, or cancer; and

(2) such other assistance as may be required to develop facts pertinent to the claim.

(b) Assistance for potential claimants

The President shall take appropriate actions to inform and assist covered employees who are potential claimants under the compensation program, and other potential claimants under the compensation program, of the availability of compensation under the compensation program, including actions to—

(1) ensure the ready availability, in paper and electronic format, of forms necessary for making claims;

(2) provide such covered employees and other potential claimants with information and other support necessary for making claims, including—

(A) medical protocols for medical testing and diagnosis to establish the existence of a covered beryllium illness, chronic silicosis, or cancer; and

(B) lists of vendors approved for providing laboratory services related to such medical testing and diagnosis; and

(3) provide such additional assistance to such covered employees and other potential claimants as may be required for the development of facts pertinent to a claim.

(c) Information from beryllium vendors and other contractors

As part of the assistance program provided under subsections (a) and (b), and as permitted by law, the Secretary of Energy shall, upon the request of the President, require a beryllium vendor or other Department of Energy contractor or subcontractor to provide information relevant to a claim or potential claim under the compensation program to the President.

(Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [div. C, title XXXVI, §3631], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A-508.)

Executive Documents

Delegation of Functions

For delegation of certain functions of the President under this section, see Ex. Ord. No. 13179, Dec. 7, 2000, 65 F.R. 77487, set out as a note under section 7384 of this title.

§7384w. Subpoenas; oaths; examination of witnesses

The Secretary of Labor, with respect to any matter under this part, may—

(1) issue subpoenas for and compel the attendance of witnesses;

(2) administer oaths;

(3) examine witnesses; and

(4) require the production of books, papers, documents, and other evidence.

(Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [div. C, title XXXVI, §3632], as added Pub. L. 108–375, div. C, title XXXI, §3163(a), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 2186.)

§7384w–1. Completion of site profiles

(a) In general

To the extent that the Secretary of Labor determines it useful and practicable, the Secretary of Labor shall direct the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to prepare site profiles for a Department of Energy facility based on the records, files, and other data provided by the Secretary of Energy and such other information as is available, including information available from the former worker medical screening programs of the Department of Energy.

(b) Information

The Secretary of Energy shall furnish to the Secretary of Labor any information that the Secretary of Labor finds necessary or useful for the production of such site profiles, including records from the Department of Energy former worker medical screening program.

(c) Definition

In this section, the term "site profile" means an exposure assessment of a facility that identifies the toxic substances or processes that were commonly used in each building or process of the facility, and the time frame during which the potential for exposure to toxic substances existed.

(d) Time frames

The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish time frames for completing site profiles for those Department of Energy facilities for which a site profile has not been completed. Not later than March 1, 2005, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to Congress a report setting forth those time frames.

(Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [div. C, title XXXVI, §3633], as added Pub. L. 108–375, div. C, title XXXI, §3166(c), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 2189.)