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Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2022

USA117th CongressHR-6102| House 
| Updated: 12/23/2022
Matt Cartwright

Matt Cartwright

Democratic Representative

Pennsylvania

Cosponsors (13)
Donald Norcross (Democratic)Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (Democratic)Mikie Sherrill (Democratic)Frederica S. Wilson (Democratic)Andy Levin (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Stephen F. Lynch (Democratic)Mark DeSaulnier (Democratic)Alma S. Adams (Democratic)Mark Takano (Democratic)Suzanne Bonamici (Democratic)Kweisi Mfume (Democratic)Jamaal Bowman (Democratic)

Ways and Means Committee, Education and Workforce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2022 This bill revises requirements for miners' claims for pneumoconiosis (black lung disease) benefits. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Labor to pay the attorneys' fees of specified parties on a qualifying benefit claim, give a claimant the opportunity to substantiate a claim for benefits through a pulmonary evaluation, authorize a CT (computerized tomography) scan in diagnosing complicated pneumoconiosis, and develop a strategy to reduce delays in adjudication of black lung disease benefits claims. The bill also establishes criteria that a mining operator must meet to self-insure against claims and increases from $1,000 to $25,000 the daily penalty amount that may be assessed against a mining operator that fails to make black lung benefits payments. The bill authorizes (1) black lung disease clinics to use federal funds to help individuals file claims, and (2) certain previously denied claimants to file a new claim for black lung disease benefits within one year. The bill prohibits a person from (1) knowingly and willfully making a false statement or misrepresentation in increasing or reducing black lung disease benefits, or (2) threatening or misleading a participant in a proceeding regarding such benefits. Further, the bill revises (1) the standards of medical evidence that establish a presumption that a miner is totally disabled by black lung disease, and (2) payments to such miners. Lastly, the bill provides statutory authority for the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

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Timeline
Dec 1, 2021
Introduced in House
Dec 1, 2021
Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.
Mar 16, 2022
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 28 - 22.
Mar 16, 2022
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jul 13, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 117-4511
Introduced in Senate
Dec 2, 2022
House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 15, 2022.
Dec 2, 2022
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 117-589.
Dec 15, 2022
House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 23, 2022.
Dec 23, 2022
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 483.
Dec 23, 2022
Committee on Ways and Means discharged.
  • December 1, 2021
    Introduced in House


  • December 1, 2021
    Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.


  • March 16, 2022
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 28 - 22.


  • March 16, 2022
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • July 13, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 117-4511
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 2, 2022
    House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 15, 2022.


  • December 2, 2022
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 117-589.


  • December 15, 2022
    House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 23, 2022.


  • December 23, 2022
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 483.


  • December 23, 2022
    Committee on Ways and Means discharged.

Labor and Employment

Related Bills

  • S 117-4511: Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2022
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesCardiovascular and respiratory healthCoalCongressional oversightDepartment of LaborDisability assistanceEvidence and witnessesExecutive agency funding and structureGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsGovernment trust fundsHealth care costs and insuranceHealth information and medical recordsHealth personnelLegal fees and court costsMedical educationMedical ethicsMedical tests and diagnostic methodsMiningSocial security and elderly assistanceTax administration and collection, taxpayersWages and earningsWorker safety and health

Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2022

USA117th CongressHR-6102| House 
| Updated: 12/23/2022
Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2022 This bill revises requirements for miners' claims for pneumoconiosis (black lung disease) benefits. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Labor to pay the attorneys' fees of specified parties on a qualifying benefit claim, give a claimant the opportunity to substantiate a claim for benefits through a pulmonary evaluation, authorize a CT (computerized tomography) scan in diagnosing complicated pneumoconiosis, and develop a strategy to reduce delays in adjudication of black lung disease benefits claims. The bill also establishes criteria that a mining operator must meet to self-insure against claims and increases from $1,000 to $25,000 the daily penalty amount that may be assessed against a mining operator that fails to make black lung benefits payments. The bill authorizes (1) black lung disease clinics to use federal funds to help individuals file claims, and (2) certain previously denied claimants to file a new claim for black lung disease benefits within one year. The bill prohibits a person from (1) knowingly and willfully making a false statement or misrepresentation in increasing or reducing black lung disease benefits, or (2) threatening or misleading a participant in a proceeding regarding such benefits. Further, the bill revises (1) the standards of medical evidence that establish a presumption that a miner is totally disabled by black lung disease, and (2) payments to such miners. Lastly, the bill provides statutory authority for the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Dec 1, 2021
Introduced in House
Dec 1, 2021
Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.
Mar 16, 2022
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 28 - 22.
Mar 16, 2022
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jul 13, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 117-4511
Introduced in Senate
Dec 2, 2022
House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 15, 2022.
Dec 2, 2022
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 117-589.
Dec 15, 2022
House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 23, 2022.
Dec 23, 2022
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 483.
Dec 23, 2022
Committee on Ways and Means discharged.
  • December 1, 2021
    Introduced in House


  • December 1, 2021
    Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.


  • March 16, 2022
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 28 - 22.


  • March 16, 2022
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • July 13, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 117-4511
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 2, 2022
    House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 15, 2022.


  • December 2, 2022
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 117-589.


  • December 15, 2022
    House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 23, 2022.


  • December 23, 2022
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 483.


  • December 23, 2022
    Committee on Ways and Means discharged.
Matt Cartwright

Matt Cartwright

Democratic Representative

Pennsylvania

Cosponsors (13)
Donald Norcross (Democratic)Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (Democratic)Mikie Sherrill (Democratic)Frederica S. Wilson (Democratic)Andy Levin (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Stephen F. Lynch (Democratic)Mark DeSaulnier (Democratic)Alma S. Adams (Democratic)Mark Takano (Democratic)Suzanne Bonamici (Democratic)Kweisi Mfume (Democratic)Jamaal Bowman (Democratic)

Ways and Means Committee, Education and Workforce Committee

Labor and Employment

Related Bills

  • S 117-4511: Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2022
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesCardiovascular and respiratory healthCoalCongressional oversightDepartment of LaborDisability assistanceEvidence and witnessesExecutive agency funding and structureGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsGovernment trust fundsHealth care costs and insuranceHealth information and medical recordsHealth personnelLegal fees and court costsMedical educationMedical ethicsMedical tests and diagnostic methodsMiningSocial security and elderly assistanceTax administration and collection, taxpayersWages and earningsWorker safety and health