,,ii  #aae? ,,congress  #a/ ,session    
,s4 #hee  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!       
,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,april #e 7legislative 
day1 ,april #d71 #bjag,mr4 ,casey 7=    
himself1 ,mr4 ,br[n1 ,mr4 ,man*91 ,mr4  
,ka9e1 & ,mr4 ,w>n]7 introduc$ ! foll[+ 
bill2 :i* 0 read twice & ref]r$ to !    
,committee on ,heal?1 ,education1       
,labor1 & ,p5sions  ,a ,,bill  ,to      
ensure t claims = b5efits "u ! ,black   
,lung ,b5efits ,act are process$ 9 a    
fair & timely mann]1 to bett] protect   
m9]s f pneumoconiosis 7commonly kn[n z  
black lung disease71 & = o!r purposes4  
#a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z 
! ,black ,lung ,b5efits ,improvem5t ,act
 ( #bjag4  #b4 ,table ( cont5ts ,! table
 ( cont5ts = ?is ,act is z foll[s3 ,sec4
 #a4 ,%ort title4,sec4 #b4 ,table (     
cont5ts4,sec4 #c4 ,f9d+s4,,title        
,i--,black lung benefits,part           
,a--,improv+ ! process = fil+ &         
adjudicat+ claims = benefits,sec4 #aja4 
,m&atory disclosure ( m$ical in=mation &
 reports4,sec4 #ajb4 ,attorneys' fees & 

m$ical exp5ses paym5t program4,sec4     
#ajc4 ,cl>ify+ eligibility = black lung 
b5efits4,sec4 #ajd4 ,re/or+ adequate    
b5efit adju/m5ts = m9]s suff]+ f black  
lung disease & = _! dep5d5t family      
memb]s4,sec4 #aje4 ,treatm5t ( evid5ce 9
 equipoise4,sec4 #ajf4 ,provid+         
assi/ance ) claims = m9]s & _! dep5d5t  
family memb]s4,sec4 #ajg4 ,false        
/atem5ts or misrepres5tations1 attorney 
disqualification1 & discov]y            
sanctions4,sec4 #ajh4 ,developm5t (     
m$ical evid5ce by ! ,secret>y4,sec4     
#aji4 ,e/abli%m5t ( pilot program to    
provide imp>tial classifications ( *e/  
radiographs4,sec4 #aaj4 ,m$ical evid5ce 
tra9+ program4,sec4 #aaa4 ,te*nical &   
con=m+ am5dm5ts4,sec4 #aab4             
,readjudicat+ cases involv+ c]ta9 *e/   
radiographs4,sec4 #aac4 ,disclosure (   
employm5t & e>n+s in=mation = ,black    
,lung ,b5efits ,act claims4,"p          
,b--,reports ,to improve ! adm9i/ration 
( b5efits "u ! ,black ,lung ,b5efits    
,act,sec4 #aba4 ,/rategy to r$uce delays

 9 adjudication4,sec4 #abb4 ,,gao report
 on black lung program4,,title          
,,ii--,/&>d = respirable du/            
concentration,sec4 #bja4 ,/&>d =        
respirable du/ conc5tration4,,title     
,,iii--,e/abli%+ ! ,(fice ( ,work]s'    
,comp5sation ,programs,sec4 #cja4 ,(fice
 ( ,work]s' ,comp5sation                
,programs4,,title                       
,,iv--,severability,sec4 #dja4          
,sev]ability4  #c4 ,f9d+s ,congress f9ds
 ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,! ,black ,lung ,b5efits
 ,act 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #ija et seq47 0    
enact$ to provide heal? c>e & mode/     
b5efits to coal m9]s :o develop         
pneumoconiosis 7ref]r$ to 9 ?is section 
z black lung disease7 result+ f exposure
 to coal du/ dur+ _! employm5t4 ,yet !  
det]m9ation ( a claimant's eligibility =
 ^! b5efits (t5 requires complex1       
adv]s>ial litigation4 ,res\rce          
disp>ities betwe5 coal companies & su*  
claimants are widespread )9 ! /atutory &
 regulatory framework ( su* ,act4       
,compreh5sive re=ms are necess>y to     

ensure t coal m9]s are n at a           
disadvantage :5 fil+ claims = b5efits4  
7#b7 ,! ,gov]nm5t ,acc\ntability ,(fice 
has f\nd t _m claimants "u ! ,black     
,lung ,b5efits ,act are n equipp$ ) !   
m$ical & legal res\rces necess>y to     
develop evid5ce to meet ! requirem5ts = 
b5efits4 ,m9]s (t5 lack complete &      
reliable m$ical evid5ce1 consequ5tly    
increas+ ! risk t ! individuals :o      
review claims = b5efits w be pres5t$ )  
insuffici5t m$ical evid5ce4 ,simil>ly1  
)\t bett] options = legal repres5tation1
 significant numb]s ( su* claimants     
proce$ ) _! claims ?r\gh a complex &    
pot5tially long adm9i/rative process )\t
 res\rces t ,dep>tm5t ( ,labor (ficials 
& black lung disease exp]ts note are    
important = develop+ evid5ce & support+ 
_! claims4 ,only #cc p]c5t ( claimants  
are repres5t$ by an attorney dur+ !     
initial claims det]m9ation4 ,abs5t ef=ts
 to rem$y adm9i/rative problems &       
address /ructural weaknesses 9 ! process
 = obta9+ b5efits1 claimants ) m]itori\s

 claims w n receive b5efits4  7#c7 ,full
 ex*ange & disclosure betwe5 ! p>ties ( 
relevant m$ical in=mation is ess5tial = 
fair adjudication ( claims "u ! ,black  
,lung ,b5efits ,act1 reg>dless ( :e!r ! 
p>ties int5d to submit su* in=mation    
into evid5ce4 ,records ( adjudications  
reveal t "s m9e op]ators' legal         
repres5tatives h )held relevant evid5ce 
f claimants1 adm9i/rative law judges1 &1
 9 "s cases1 ev5 _! own m$ical exp]ts4  
,9 sev]al cases1 ! disclosure ( su*     
evid5ce w\ld h sub/antiat$ a m9]'s claim
 = b5efits4 ,)hold+ m$ical in=mation c  
endang] m9]s by depriv+ !m ( important  
in=mation ab\t _! own heal? & ! pot5tial
 ne$ to seek m$ical treatm5t4  7#d7     
,giv5 ! rem$ial nature ( ! ,black ,lung 
,b5efits ,act1 :5 an adjudicator        
det]m9es t evid5ce is ev5ly balanc$1 x  
is appropriate = any result+ d\bt to be 
resolv$ 9 favor ( ! claimant4 ,!        
,supreme ,c\rt vacat$ ?is long/&+ legal 
pr9ciple1 n on sub/antive gr\nds1 b     
because its application conflict$ ) !   

requirem5ts ( ano!r /atute4 ,su*        
pr9ciple ne$s to be re9/at$ 9 ! ,black  
,lung ,b5efits ,act because x provides  
fairness & improves ! adm9i/ration (    
b5efits4  7#e7 ,physicians :o read lung 
x-rays z "p ( pulmon>y assessm5ts us$ 9 
proce$+s = claims "u ! ,black ,lung     
,b5efits ,act are requir$ to demon/rate 
compet5cy 9 classify+ *e/ radiographs by
 becom+ c]tifi$ z ,b ,read]s by !       
,national ,in/itute = ,occupational     
,safety & ,heal? 7ref]r$ to 9 ?is       
section z ,,nio%74 ,h[ev]1 inve/igations
 h uncov]$ t !re are ,,nio%-c]tifi$ ,b  
,read]s :o h sy/ematically misclassifi$ 
*e/ radiographs :ile employ$ by coal    
op]ators or _! law firms = ! purpose (  
oppos+ claims "u su* ,act4 ,9 response1 
! ,dep>tm5t ( ,labor has direct$ claims 
exam9]s n to cr$it negative *e/ x-ray   
read+s = pneumoconiosis by "o widely us$
 physician employ$ at a prom95t m$ical  
c5t] unless ! conclusions ( su*         
physician h be5 rehabilitat$4 ,:]e *e/  
radiographs are ne$$ to e/abli%         

entitlem5t to b5efits1 claimants %\ld h 
access to accurate int]pretations s z to
 ensure ! fair adjudication ( su*       
claims4  7#f7 ,z ( ! date ( enactm5t (  
?is ,act1 m ?an "o ye> has pass$ s9ce   
survivors 7 d5i$ b5efits on claims "u ! 
,black ,lung ,b5efits ,act t involv$ !  
consid]ation ( *e/ radiograph           
int]pretations r5d]$ by a c]ta9         
physician ^: int]pretations h s9ce be5  
det]m9$ by ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,labor to be   
g5]ally n wor?y ( cr$it4 ,su* survivors 
%\ld be p]mitt$ to file a new claim =   
b5efits "u su* ,act4 ,h[ev]1 a survivor 
is effectively b>r$ f fil+ a new claim  
"o ye> aft] a decision reg>d+ su*       
b5efits is f9al1 con/itut+ an inju/ice t
 m]its a rem$y4  7#g7 ,betwe5 ! cal5d>  
ye>s #bjjd & #bjad1 a r$uction 9 ! numb]
 ( adm9i/rative law judges 9 ! ,dep>tm5t
 ( ,labor1 c\pl$ ) a l>ge increase 9 !  
numb] ( cases fil$ "u ! ,black ,lung    
,b5efits ,act1 cuts to nondef5se        
discretion>y sp5d+1 furl\ghs result+ f  
seque/ration1 & ! #af-;day %utd[n ( !   

,f$]al ,gov]nm5t dur+ ! cal5d> ye>      
#bjac1 has creat$ ext5sive delays 9     
adjudicat+ claims "u su* ,act & num]\s  
o!r labor & employm5t laws4 ,due to !   
imbalance betwe5 res\rces & caseloads1 a
 typical claim "u su* ,act rema9s       
unresolv$ = an av]age ( ne>ly #b ye>s   
prior to a decision by an adm9i/rative  
law judge4 ,^! delays directly & sev]ely
 impact ! lives ( work]s ?r\gh\t !      
,unit$ ,/ates1 plac+ an undue f9ancial &
 emotional burd5 on ! affect$           
individuals & _! families4  7#h7        
,contr>y to ! int5t ( ,congress1 b5efits
 paym5ts "u ! ,black ,lung ,b5efits ,act
 d n automatically increase ) ! ris+ co/
 ( liv+4 ,b5efit paym5ts are ti$ to !   
mon?ly pay rate = ,f$]al employees 9    
grade ,,gs-#b1 /ep #a4 ,9 sev]al ( !    
fiscal ye>s prior to ! enactm5t ( ?is   
,act1 !re 0 a pay freeze = ,f$]al       
employees1 :i* _h ! effect ( elim9at+   
co/-(-liv+ adju/m5ts = m9]s1 surviv+    
sp\ses1 & dep5d5ts "u ! ,black ,lung    
,b5efits ,act dur+ su* ye>s4  7#i7 ,a   

compet5t assessm5t ( m$ical in=mation & 
te/imony1 :i* (t5 involves multiple     
physicians disput+ a diagnosis1 is      
necess>y 9 det]m9+ :e!r to aw>d b5efits 
"u ! ,black ,lung ,b5efits ,act4 ,to    
ensure t a det]m9ation reg>d+ a claim = 
b5efits "u su* ,act is fair & accurate1 
regul> tra9+ is ne$$ reg>d+--  7,a7     
developm5ts 9 pulmon>y m$ic9e relat+ to 
black lung disease2  7,b7 m$ical evid5ce
 necess>y to su/a9 claims = su* b5efits2
 &  7,c7 ! prop] weight to be giv5 to   
conflict+ evid5ce4  7#aj7 ,black lung   
disease has be5 ! und]ly+ or contribut+ 
cause ( dea? ( m ?an #gf1jjj m9]s s9ce  
#aifh4 ,aft] decades ( decl9e1 !        
incid5ce ( coal m9]s ) black lung       
disease is on ! rise4 ,accord+ to       
,,nio%1 m9]s are develop+ advanc$ cases 
( ! disease at y\ng] ages4 ,9 response1 
! ,dep>tm5t ( ,labor has tak5 important 
/eps to combat ! disease1 includ+       
promulgat+ a rule t r$uces ! all[$      
conc5tration ( coal du/ & elim9ates     
weaknesses 9 ! curr5t du/ sampl+ sy/em4 

,retrospective /udies %\ld be cont9u$ to
 det]m9e :e!r revisions to ! /&>ds are  
necess>y to elim9ate ! disease4  7#aa7  
,to elim9ate an avoidable delay 9       
evaluat+ claims "u su* ,act1 !          
,inspector ,g5]al ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,labor
 has recomm5d$ legislation t w\ld       
au?orize ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,labor to h      
electronic access to m9]s' e>n+ records 
held by ! ,social ,security             
,adm9i/ration4  ,i ,black lung b5efits  
,a ,improv+ ! process = fil+ &          
adjudicat+ claims = b5efits  #aja4      
,m&atory disclosure ( m$ical in=mation &
 reports ,"p ,a ( ! ,black ,lung        
,b5efits ,act 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #ija et    
seq47 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end !       
foll[+3  #djc4 ,m&atory m$ical in=mation
 disclosure  7a7 ,report ,9 any claim = 
b5efits "u ?is title1 an op]ator t      
requires a m9] to submit to a m$ical    
exam9ation reg>d+ ! m9]'s respiratory or
 pulmon>y condition %all1 n lat] ?an #ba
 days aft] ! m9] has be5 exam9$1 deliv] 
to ! claimant a complete copy ( ! exam9+

 physician's report4 ,! exam9+          
physician's report %all--  7#a7 be 9    
writ+2 &  7#b7 set out 9 detail ! f9d+s 
( su* physician1 includ+ any diagnoses &
 conclusions1 ! results ( any diagno/ic 
imag+ te/s1 & any o!r te/s p]=m$ on !   
m9]4  7b7 ,disclosure ,9 any claim =    
b5efits "u ?is title1 ea* p>ty %all     
provide all o!r p>ties 9 ! proce$+ ) a  
copy ( all m$ical in=mation develop$    
reg>d+ ! m9]'s physical condition relat+
 to su* claim1 ev5 if ! p>ty does n     
int5d to submit ! in=mation z evid5ce4  
,su* m$ical in=mation %all include !    
op9ion ( any exam9+ physician1 & any    
exam9+ or nonexam9+ physician's         
int]pretations ( radiographs or         
pa?ology4  7c7 ,regulations ,! ,secret>y
 %all promulgate regulations reg>d+ !   
disclosure ( m$ical in=mation "u ?is    
section1 & su* regulations may e/abli%  
sanctions = noncompliance ) ?is section4
  4  #ajb4 ,attorneys' fees & m$ical    
exp5ses paym5t program ,"p ,a ( ! ,black
 ,lung ,b5efits ,act 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #ija

 et seq471 z am5d$ by section #aja1 is  
fur!r am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  
#djd4 ,attorneys' fees & m$ical exp5ses 
paym5t program  7a7 ,program e/abli%$   
7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an #ahj days aft]
 ! date ( enactm5t ( ! ,black ,lung     
,b5efits ,improvem5t ,act ( #bjag1 !    
,secret>y %all e/abli% a paym5t program 
to pay attorneys' fees & o!r reasonable 
& unreimburs$ m$ical exp5ses incurr$ 9  
e/abli%+ ! claimant's case1 us+ am\nts f
 ! fund1 to ! attorneys ( claimants 9   
qualify+ claims4  7#b7 ,qualify+ claim  
,a qualify+ claim = purposes ( ?is      
section is a conte/$ claim = b5efits "u 
?is title = :i* a f9al ord] has n be5   
ent]$ )9 "o ye> ( ! fil+ ( ! claim4     
7#c7 ,use ( paym5ts f ! fund ,not)/&+   
any o!r provision ( law1 am\nts 9 ! fund
 %all be available = paym5ts au?oriz$ by
 ! ,secret>y "u ?is section4  7b7       
,paym5ts au?oriz$  7#a7 ,attorneys' fees
  7,a7 ,approval ,if a claimant =       
b5efits "u ?is title obta9s a propos$   
decision & ord] f a di/rict director )  

an aw>d ( b5efits = a qualify+ claim1 or
 an aw>d = a qualify+ claim be=e an     
adm9i/rative law judge--  7i7 ! di/rict 
director may approve attorneys' fees =  
"w done be=e su* director 9 an am\nt n  
to exce$ #a1ejj2 &  7ii7 an adm9i/rative
 law judge may approve attorneys' fees =
 "w done be=e su* judge 9 an am\nt n to 
exce$ #c1jjj4  7,b7 ,paym5t ,! ,secret>y
 %all1 ?r\gh ! program "u ?is section1  
pay any am\nts approv$ "u subp>agraph   
7,a74  7#b7 ,m$ical exp5ses  7,a7       
,approval ,if a claimant = b5efits "u   
?is title obta9s a propos$ decision &   
ord] f a di/rict director ) an aw>d (   
b5efits = a qualify+ claim1 or an aw>d =
 a qualify+ claim be=e an adm9i/rative  
law judge1 su* di/rict director &       
adm9i/rative law judge may ea* approve  
an aw>d1 9 an am\nt n to exce$ #a1ejj1  
to ! claimant's attorney ( reasonable & 
unreimburs$ m$ical exp5ses incurr$ 9    
e/abli%+ ! claimant's case4  7,b7       
,paym5t ,! ,secret>y %all1 ?r\gh !      
program "u ?is section1 pay any am\nts  

approv$ "u subp>agraph 7,a74  7#c7      
,maximum ,! ,secret>y1 ?r\gh ! program  
e/abli%$ "u ?is section1 %all = any s+le
 qualify+ claim pay--  7,a7 n m ?an a   
total ( #d1ejj 9 attorneys' fees2 &     
7,b7 n m ?an #c1jjj 9 m$ical exp5ses4   
7c7 ,reimbursem5t ( funds ,9 any case 9 
:i* a qualify+ claim results 9 a f9al   
ord] aw>d+ comp5sation1 ! liable op]ator
 %all reimburse ! fund = any fees or    
exp5ses paid "u ?is section1 subject to 
en=cem5t by ! ,secret>y "u section #dbd 
& 9 ! same mann] z comp5sation ord]s are
 en=c$ "u section #ba7;d7 ( ! ,long%ore 
& ,h>bor ,work]s' ,comp5sation ,act 7#cc
 ,u4,s4,c4 #iba7;d774  7d7 ,additional  
program rules ,no?+ 9 ?is section %all  
limit or o!rwise affect an op]ator's    
liability = any attorneys' fees or      
m$ical exp5ses aw>d$ by ! di/rict       
director or an adm9i/rative law judge t 
7 n paid by ! program "u ?is section4   
,no?+ 9 ?is section %all limit or       
o!rwise affect ! ,secret>y's au?ority to
 use am\nts 9 ! fund to pay approv$     

attorneys' fees 9 claims = b5efits "u   
?is title = :i* a f9al ord] aw>d+       
comp5sation has be5 ent]$ & ! op]ator is
 unable to pay4  7e7 ,no rec\pm5t (     
attorneys' fees ,any paym5t = attorneys'
 fees or m$ical exp5ses made by !       
,secret>y "u ?is section %all n be      
rec\p$ f ! claimant or ! claimant's     
attorney4  4  #ajc4 ,cl>ify+ eligibility
 = black lung b5efits ,section #daa7;c7 
( ! ,black ,lung ,b5efits ,act 7#cj     
,u4,s4,c4 #iba7;c77 is am5d$ by /rik+   
p>agraphs 7#c7 & 7#d7 & ins]t+ ! foll[+3
  7#c7 ,if x-ray1 biopsy1 autopsy1 or   
o!r m$ically accept$ & relevant te/ or  
proc$ure e/abli%es t a m9] is suff]+ or 
has suff]$ f a *ronic du/ disease ( !   
lung1 diagnos$ z complicat$             
pneumoconiosis or progressive massive   
fibrosis 7pneumoconiosis t has =m$ an   
opacity1 mass1 or lesion ^: greate/     
diamet] exce$s #a c5timet]71 !n !re %all
 be an irrebuttable presumption t su*   
m9] is totally disabl$ due to           
pneumoconiosis1 t ! m9]'s dea? 0 due to 

pneumoconiosis1 or t at ! "t ( dea? !   
m9] 0 totally disabl$ by pneumoconiosis1
 z ! case may be4 ,a *e/ radiograph1 :i*
 yields "o or m l>ge opacities 7^:      
greate/ diamet] exce$s #a c5timet]71 &  
w\ld be classifi$ 9 category ,a1 ,b1 or 
,c 9 ! ,int]national ,classification (  
,radiographs ( ,pneumoconioses by !     
,int]national ,labor ,organization1 %all
 be suffici5t to invoke ! presumption1 9
 ! abs5ce ( m probative evid5ce         
suffici5t to e/abli% t ! etiology ( a   
l>ge opacity is n pneumoconiosis4  7#d7 
,if a m9] 0 employ$ = #ae ye>s or m 9 "o
 or m coal m9es1 & if !re is a *e/      
radiograph submitt$ 9 connection ) !    
claim "u ?is title ( su* m9] or su*     
m9]'s surviv+ sp\se1 *ild1 p>5t1 bro!r1 
si/]1 or dep5d5t & x is int]pret$ z     
negative ) respect to ! requirem5ts (   
p>agraph 7#c71 & if o!r evid5ce         
demon/rates ! exi/5ce ( a totally       
disabl+ respiratory or pulmon>y         
impairm5t1 !n !re %all be a rebuttable  
presumption t su* m9] is totally disabl$

 due to pneumoconiosis1 t ! m9]'s dea? 0
 due to pneumoconiosis1 or t at ! "t (  
dea? ! m9] 0 totally disabl$ by         
pneumoconiosis4 ,9 ! case ( a liv+ m9]1 
a sp\se's affidavit may n be us$ by     
itself to e/abli% ! presumption "u ?is  
p>agraph4 ,! presumption "u ?is p>agraph
 may be rebutt$ only by e/abli%+ t su*  
m9] does n1 or did n1 h pneumoconiosis1 
or t no "p ( su* m9]'s respiratory or   
pulmon>y impairm5t or dea? 0 caus$ by   
pneumoconiosis4  4  #ajd4 ,re/or+       
adequate b5efit adju/m5ts = m9]s suff]+ 
f black lung disease & = _! dep5d5t     
family memb]s ,section #dab7;a7 ( !     
,black ,lung ,b5efits ,act 7#cj         
,u4,s4,c4 #ibb7;a77 is am5d$ by /rik+   
p>agraph 7#a7 & ins]t+ ! foll[+3  7#a7  
,9 ! case ( total disability ( a m9] due
 to pneumoconiosis1 ! disabl$ m9] %all  
be paid b5efits dur+ ! disability--     
7,a7 = any cal5d> ye> prec$+ ,janu>y #a1
 #bjae1 at a rate equal to #cg p]c5t ( !
 mon?ly pay rate = ,f$]al employees 9   
grade ,,gs-#b1 /ep #a2  7,b7 = ! cal5d> 

ye> beg9n+ on ,janu>y #a1 #bjae1 at a   
rate ( #g1ihj p] ye>1 payable 9 #ab     
equal mon?ly paym5ts2 &  7,c7 = ea*     
cal5d> ye> !reaft]1 at a rate equal to !
 am\nt "u subp>agraph 7,b7 increas$ by  
an am\nt equal to any increase 9 !      
annual rate ( ! ,consum] ,price ,index =
 ,urban ,wage ,e>n]s & ,cl]ical ,work]s1
 z publi%$ by ! ,bureau ( ,labor        
,/ati/ics4  4  #aje4 ,treatm5t ( evid5ce
 9 equipoise ,section #dbb ( ! ,black   
,lung ,b5efits ,act 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #icb7
 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3    
7m7 ,9 det]m9+ ! validity ( a claim "u  
?is title1 an adjudicator :o f9ds t !   
evid5ce is ev5ly balanc$ on an issue    
%all resolve any result+ d\bt 9 !       
claimant's favor & f9d t ! claimant has 
met ! burd5 ( p]suasion on su* issue4  4
  #ajf4 ,provid+ assi/ance ) claims =   
m9]s & _! dep5d5t family memb]s ,section
 #dbg7;a7 ( ! ,black ,lung ,b5efits ,act
 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #icg7;a77 is am5d$ by   
/rik+ ! analysis1 exam9ation1 & treatm5t
 & all t foll[s ?r\gh coal m9]s4 &      

ins]t+ ! analysis1 exam9ation1 &        
treatm5t ( respiratory & pulmon>y       
impairm5ts 9 active & inactive coal m9]s
 & = assi/ance on behalf ( m9]s1 sp\ses1
 dep5d5ts1 & o!r family memb]s ) claims 
aris+ "u ?is title44  #ajg4 ,false      
/atem5ts or misrepres5tations1 attorney 
disqualification1 & discov]y sanctions  
,section #dca ( ! ,black ,lung ,b5efits 
,act 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #ida7 is am5d$ to   
read z foll[s3  #dca4 ,false /atem5ts or
 misrepres5tations1 attorney            
disqualification1 & discov]y sanctions  
7a7 ,9 g5]al ,no p]son1 includ+ any     
claimant1 physician1 op]ator1 duly      
au?oriz$ ag5t ( su* op]ator1 or employee
 ( an insurance c>ri]1 %all--  7#a7     
kn[+ly & willfully make a false /atem5t 
or misrepres5tation = ! purpose (       
obta9+1 increas+1 r$uc+1 d5y+1 or       
t]m9at+ b5efits "u ?is title2 or  7#b7  
?reat51 co]ce1 intimidate1 deceive1 or  
kn[+ly mislead a p>ty1 repres5tative1   
witness1 pot5tial witness1 judge1 or    
anyone p>ticipat+ 9 a proce$+ reg>d+ any

 matt] relat$ to a proce$+ "u ?is title4
  7b7 ,f9e2 imprisonm5t ,any p]son :o   
engages 9 ! conduct describ$ 9          
subsection 7a7 %all1 ^u conviction1 be  
subject to a f9e 9 accordance ) title   
#ah1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 imprison$ = n 
m ?an #e ye>s1 or bo?4  7c7 ,prompt     
inve/igation ,! ,unit$ ,/ates ,attorney 
= ! di/rict 9 :i* ! conduct describ$ 9  
subsection 7a7 is alleg$ to h occurr$   
%all make e reasonable ef=t to promptly 
inve/igate ea* compla9t ( a violation ( 
su* subsection4  7d7 ,disqualification  
7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,an attorney or exp]t     
witness :o engages 9 ! conduct describ$ 
9 subsection 7a7 %all1 9 addition to !  
f9e or imprisonm5t provid$ "u subsection
 7b71 be p]man5tly disqualifi$ f        
repres5t+ any p>ty1 or appe>+ 9 any     
proce$+1 "u ?is title4  7#b7 ,attorney  
disqualification ,9 addition to !       
disqualification describ$ 9 p>agraph    
7#a71 ! ,secret>y may disqualify an     
attorney f repres5t+ any p>ty 9 a       
proce$+ "u ?is title = ei!r a limit$ t]m

 or p]man5tly1 if ! attorney--  7,a7    
engages 9 any action or behavior t is   
prejudicial to ! fair & ord]ly conduct (
 su* proce$+2 or  7,b7 is susp5d$ or    
disb>r$ by any c\rt ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1  
any ,/ate1 or any t]ritory1 commonweal?1
 or possession ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates )      
jurisdiction ov] ! proce$+4  7e7        
,discov]y sanctions ,an adm9i/rative law
 judge may sanction a p>ty :o fails to  
comply ) an ord] to compel discov]y or  
disclosure1 or to supplem5t e>li]       
responses1 9 a proce$+ "u ?is title4 ,^!
 sanctions may include1 z appropriate-- 
7#a7 draw+ an adv]se inf]5ce aga9/ !    
noncomply+ p>ty on ! facts relevant to !
 discov]y or disclosure ord]2  7#b7     
limit+ ! noncomply+ p>ty's claims1      
def5ses1 or "r to introduce evid5ce2 &  
7#c7 r5d]+ a default decision aga9/ !   
noncomply+ p>ty4  7f7 ,regulations ,!   
,secret>y %all promulgate regulations   
t-- 7#a7 provide proc$ures = !          
disqualifications & sanctions "u ?is    
section & are appropriate = all p>ties2 

&  7#b7 di/+ui% betwe5 p>ties t are     
repres5t$ by an attorney & p>ties t are 
n repres5t$ by an attorney4  4  #ajh4   
,developm5t ( m$ical evid5ce by !       
,secret>y ,"p ,c ( ! ,black ,lung       
,b5efits ,act 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #ica et    
seq47 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end !       
foll[+3  #dce4 ,developm5t ( m$ical     
evid5ce by ! ,secret>y  7a7 ,complete   
pulmon>y evaluation ,^u reque/ by a     
claimant = b5efits "u ?is title1 !      
,secret>y %all provide ! claimant an    
opportunity to sub/antiate ! claim ?r\gh
 a complete pulmon>y evaluation ( ! m9] 
t %all include--  7#a7 an initial       
report1 conduct$ by a qualifi$ physician
 on ! li/ provid$ "u subsection 7d71 & 9
 accordance ) subsection 7d77#e7 &      
sections #djb7;f77#a77;,d7 & #dac7;b72 &
  7#b7 if ! conditions "u subsection 7b7
 are met1 any supplem5tal m$ical evid5ce
 describ$ 9 subsection 7c74  7b7        
,conditions = supplem5tal m$ical evid5ce
 ,! ,secret>y %all develop supplem5tal  
m$ical evid5ce1 9 accordance )          

subsection 7c7-- 7#a7 = any claim 9 :i* 
! ,secret>y recomm5ds an aw>d ( b5efits 
bas$ on ! results ( ! initial report "u 
subsection 7a77#a7 & a p>ty oppos+ su*  
aw>d submits evid5ce t c\ld be consid]$ 
contr>y to ! f9d+s ( ! ,secret>y2 &     
7#b7 = any comp5sation case "u ?is title
 he>d by an adm9i/rative law judge1 9   
:i*-- 7,a7 ! ,secret>y has aw>d$ b5efits
 to ! claimant2  7,b7 ! p>ty oppos+ su* 
aw>d has submitt$ evid5ce n previ\sly   
review$ t c\ld be consid]$ contr>y to ! 
aw>d "u subp>agraph 7,a72 &  7,c7 !     
claimant or1 if ! claimant is repres5t$ 
by an attorney1 ! claimant's attorney   
cons5ts to ! ,secret>y develop+         
supplem5tal m$ical evid5ce4  7c7        
,process = supplem5tal m$ical evid5ce   
7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,except z provid$ "u      
p>agraph 7#b71 to develop supplem5tal   
m$ical evid5ce "u conditions describ$ 9 
subsection 7b71 ! ,secret>y %all reque/ 
! physician :o conduct$ ! initial report
 "u subsection 7a77#a7 to--  7,a7 review
 any m$ical evid5ce submitt$ aft] su*   

report or ! mo/ rec5t supplem5tal       
report1 z appropriate2 &  7,b7 update 8 
or h] op9ion 9 a supplem5tal report4    
7#b7 ,alt]native physician ,if su*      
physician is no long] available or is   
unwill+ to provide supplem5tal m$ical   
evid5ce "u p>agraph 7#a71 ! ,secret>y   
%all select ano!r qualifi$ physician to 
provide su* evid5ce4  7#c7 ,complicat$  
pneumoconiosis ,9 diagnos+ :e!r !re is  
complicat$ pneumoconiosis z a "p ( a    
m$ical exam9ation conduct$ "u p>agraph  
7#a7 or 7#b71 ! ,secret>y %all au?orize 
a high-quality1 l[-dose or /&>d ,,ct    
scan :]e "o or m ( ! foll[+ is f\nd3    
7,a7 ,any c]tifi$ ,b read] ( a *e/      
radiograph associat$ ) ! exam9ation "u  
section #dac7;b7 f9ds advanc$           
pneumoconiosis 7,,ilo category #b_/a or 
great]74  7,b7 ,any c]tifi$ ,b read] ( a
 *e/ radiograph associat$ ) ! exam9ation
 "u section #dac7;b7 f9ds a coalesc5ce (
 small opacities4  7,c7 ,any c]tifi$ ,b 
read] ( a *e/ radiograph associat$ ) !  
exam9ation "u section #dac7;b7 has a    

reasonable belief t !re may be a l>ge   
opacity 9 ! upp] lungs t has be5 obscur$
 by bony /ructures4  7d7 ,qualifi$      
physicians = complete pulmon>y          
evaluation & protections = suitability &
 pot5tial conflicts ( int]e/  7#a7      
,qualifi$ physicians li/ ,! ,secret>y   
%all create & ma9ta9 a li/ ( qualifi$   
physicians to be select$ by a claimant  
to p]=m ! complete pulmon>y evaluation  
describ$ 9 subsection 7a74  7#b7 ,public
 availability ,! ,secret>y %all make !  
li/ "u ?is subsection available to !    
public4  7#c7 ,annual evaluation ,ea*   
ye>1 ! ,secret>y %all update su* li/ by 
review+ ! suitability ( ! li/$ qualifi$ 
physicians & assess+ any pot5tial       
conflicts ( int]e/4  7#d7 ,crit]ia =    
suitability ,9 det]m9+ :e!r a physician 
is suitable to be on ! li/ "u ?is       
subsection1 ! ,secret>y %all consult !  
,national ,practition] ,data ,bank ( !  
,dep>tm5t ( ,heal? & ,human ,s]vices &  
assess reports ( adv]se lic5sure1       
c]tifications1 hospital privilege1 &    

pr(essional society actions involv+ !   
physician4 ,9 no case %all su* li/      
include any physician--  7,a7 :o is n   
lic5s$ to practice m$ic9e 9 any ,/ate or
 any t]ritory1 commonweal?1 or          
possession ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates2  7,b7 ^:  
lic5se is revok$ by a m$ical lic5s+ bo>d
 ( any ,/ate1 t]ritory1 commonweal?1 or 
possession ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates2 or  7,c7  
^: lic5se is susp5d$ by a m$ical lic5s+ 
bo>d ( any ,/ate1 t]ritory1 commonweal?1
 or possession ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates4  7#e7 
,conflicts ( int]e/ ,! ,secret>y %all   
develop & implem5t policies & proc$ures 
to ensure t any actual or pot5tial      
conflict ( int]e/ ( qualifi$ physicians 
on ! li/ "u ?is subsection1 includ+ bo? 
individual & organizational conflicts ( 
int]e/1 are disclos$ to ! ,dep>tm5t1 &  
to provide su* disclosure to claimants4 
,su* policies & proc$ures %all provide  
t1 unless ! claimant kn[+ly & ) ! b5efit
 ( full disclosure waives ! foll[+      
limitations1 a physician %all n be us$  
to p]=m a complete pulmon>y m$ical      

evaluation "u subsection 7a7 t is       
reimburs$ pursuant to subsection 7f71   
if--  7,a7 su* physician is employ$ by1 
"u contract to1 or o!rwise provid+      
s]vices to a private p>ty oppos+ !      
claim1 a law firm or lawy] repres5t+ su*
 oppos+ p>ty1 or an int]e/$ insur] or   
o!r int]e/$ ?ird p>ty2 or  7,b7 su*     
physician has be5 reta9$ by a private   
p>ty oppos+ ! claim1 a law firm or lawy]
 repres5t+ su* oppos+ p>ty1 or an       
int]e/$ insur] or o!r int]e/$ ?ird p>ty 
9 ! previ\s #bd mon?s4  7e7 ,record ,^u 
receipt ( any initial report or         
supplem5tal report "u ?is section1 !    
,secret>y %all ent] ! report 9 ! record 
& provide a copy ( su* report to all    
p>ties to ! proce$+4  7f7 ,exp5ses ,all 
exp5ses relat$ to obta9+ ! m$ical       
evid5ce "u ?is section %all be paid = by
 ! fund4 ,if a claimant receives a f9al 
aw>d ( b5efits1 ! op]ator liable =      
paym5t ( b5efits1 if any1 %all reimburse
 ! fund = su* exp5ses1 :i* %all include 
int]e/4  4  #aji4 ,e/abli%m5t ( pilot   

program to provide imp>tial             
classifications ( *e/ radiographs  7a7  
,e/abli%m5t ,"p ,c ( ! ,black ,lung     
,b5efits ,act 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #ica et    
seq471 z am5d$ by section #ajh1 is fur!r
 am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  #dcf4
 ,e/abli%m5t ( pilot program to provide 
imp>tial classifications ( *e/          
radiographs  7a7 ,def9itions ,9 ?is     
section3 7#a7 ,b ,read] ,! t]m ,b ,read]
 means an individual :o--  7,a7 has a   
valid lic5se to practice m$ic9e 9 n less
 ?an "o ,/ate1 t]ritory1 commonweal?1 or
 possession ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates2 &  7,b7  
has demon/rat$ a pr(ici5cy1 ?r\gh an    
exam9ation adm9i/]$ by ! ,national      
,in/itute = ,occupational ,safety &     
,heal?1 9 classify+ *e/ radiographs =   
f9d+s consi/5t ) pneumoconiosis us+ !   
,int]national ,classification (         
,radiographs ( ,pneumoconioses by !     
,int]national ,labor ,organization4     
7#b7 ,b ,read] ,panel ,! t]m ,b ,read]  
,panel means a panel ( n less ?an #c ,b 
,read]s select$ by ! ,director          

exclusively f ! ,b ,read] ,panel ,pool4 
7#c7 ,director ,! t]m ,director means ! 
,director ( ! ,national ,in/itute =     
,occupational ,safety & ,heal?4  7#d7   
,,ilo classification ,! t]m ,,ilo       
classification means ! /&>diz$          
categorization ( *e/ radiographs = f9d+s
 consi/5t ) pneumoconiosis us+ !        
,int]national ,classification (         
,radiographs ( ,pneumoconioses by !     
,int]national ,labor ,organization4     
7#e7 ,b ,read] ,panel ,pool ,! t]m ,b   
,read] ,panel ,pool means ! gr\p (      
physicians includ$ 9 ! pool describ$ 9  
subsection 7c74  7b7 ,b ,read] ,panel   
,program  7#a7 ,e/abli%m5t ( pilot      
program  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,director %all
 e/abli%1 9 ! ,national ,in/itute =     
,occupational ,safety & ,heal?1 a pilot 
program to be kn[n z ! ,b ,read] ,panel 
,program4 ,! ,b ,read] ,panel ,program  
%all e/abli% ,b ,read] ,panels t--  7i7 
are op]at$ 9 a mann] to assure accurate 
,,ilo classifications1 :i* may be us$ = 
claims = b5efits describ$ 9 subp>agraph 

7,c72  7ii7 only classify *e/           
radiographs2 &  7iii7 classify all      
appe>ances describ$ 9 ! ,int]national   
,classification ( ,radiographs (        
,pneumoconiosis by ! ,int]national      
,labor ,organization or illu/rat$ by !  
,int]national ,labor ,organization /&>d 
radiographs4  7,b7 ,duration ,! ,b      
,read] ,panel ,program e/abli%$ "u ?is  
section %all be conduct$ = a duration ( 
"o ye>1 beg9n+ aft] ! issuance (        
necess>y protocols & int]im f9al rules  
"u subsection 7h74  7,c7 ,applicability 
,a *e/ radiograph classification may    
only be reque/$ "u ?is section = a claim
 = b5efits "u ?is title :]e ! pres5ce or
 abs5ce ( complicat$ pneumoconiosis or  
progressive massive fibrosis 7l>ge      
opacities great] ?an or equal to        
category ,a ( ! ,,ilo classification7 is
 9 fact at issue4  7#b7 ,program        
p]sonnel matt]s  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,!       
,director may hire su* p]sonnel z are   
necess>y to e/abli%1 manage1 & evaluate 
! ,b ,read] ,panel ,program1 includ+ a  

,b ,read] ,program ,director describ$ 9 
subp>agraph 7,b74  7,b7 ,b ,read]       
,program ,director ,! ,b ,read] ,program
 ,director %all be a physician :o is a  
,b ,read] & has docum5t$ exp]tise 9     
,,ilo classifications4  7,c7 ,/aff  7i7 
,9 g5]al ,9 procur+ ! s]vices ( ,b      
,read]s = ?is section1 ! ,director may  
hire ,f$]al p]sonnel1 contract =        
s]vices1 or bo?4  7ii7 ,comp5sation ,!  
,director %all e/abli% comp5sation rates
 = ,b ,read]s :o are hir$ "u contract4  
7#c7 ,e?ics policy  7,a7 ,code ( e?ics  
7i7 ,9 g5]al ,9 ord] to maximize !      
quality1 objectivity1 & confid5ce 9     
,,ilo classifications "u ?is section1 ! 
,director %all e/abli% a b9d+ code (    
e?ics to :i* all ,b ,read]s 9 ! ,b      
,read] ,panel ,pool %all agree to 9     
writ+ & adh]e4  7ii7 ,cont5ts ,! code ( 
e?ics %all include-- 7,i7 def9itions &  
/ipulations ( proc$ures deal+ ) actual &
 app>5t conflicts ( int]e/ & ! appe>ance
 ( bias or lack ( suffici5t imp>tiality2
  7,,ii7 a requirem5t t ea* su* ,b      

,read] submits a conflict ( int]e/      
disclosure /atem5t to ! ,director &     
annually updates su* /atem5t2 &  7,,iii7
 requirem5ts = ! cont5t ( ! conflict (  
int]e/ disclosure /atem5ts requir$ "u   
subclause 7,,ii74  7,b7 ,b ,read] e?ics 
(fic] ,! ,director %all designate an    
employee ( ! ,national ,in/itute =      
,occupational ,safety & ,heal? z ! ,b   
,read] ,e?ics ,(fic] ^: responsibilities
 %all include--  7i7 review+ all        
conflict ( int]e/ disclosures ( ,b      
,read]s on ! ,b ,read] ,panel ,pool2    
7ii7 inve/igat+ ! validity ( su*        
disclosures2  7iii7 ma9ta9+ a li/ ( su* 
,b ,read]s :o fail to disclose a        
conflict ( int]e/2  7iv7 address+       
compla9ts ab\t incomplete or inaccurate 
conflict ( int]e/ disclosures2  7v7     
assess+ :e!r any su* ,b ,read] has be5  
improp]ly assign$ to a panel due to a   
conflict ( int]e/2 &  7vi7 assur+ full  
transp>5cy ( conflict ( int]e/          
disclosures to ! public4  7#d7 ,quality 
assurance program  7,a7 ,protocols  7i7 

,e/abli%m5t ,! ,director %all e/abli% a 
quality assurance program consi/+ (     
protocols to ensure t ! results produc$ 
by ,b ,read] ,panels meet or exce$ /&>ds
 ( p]=mance requir$ = accuracy &        
consi/5cy4  7ii7 ,protocols ,! protocols
 "u ?is subp>agraph %all include        
protocols-- 7,i7 = ea* ,b ,read] to     
prep>e an individual ,,ilo              
classification report = ea* *e/         
radiograph2 &  7,,ii7 = ! prep>ation ( a
 f9al ,,ilo classification report = !   
*e/ radiograph4  7iii7 ,additional      
review]s ,if individual ,,ilo           
classifications report$ by ea* ,b ,read]
 ( a ,b ,read] ,panel div]ge f ea* o!r  
by m ?an an acceptable v>iance1 z       
det]m9$ by protocols e/abli%$ "u        
subsection 7h71 ! ,director %all assign 
additional ,b ,read]s to ! applicable ,b
 ,read] ,panel or conv5e an additional  
,b ,read] ,panel1 z ! ,director det]m9es
 necess>y1 to assure t ! ,,ilo          
classification report ( ! initial ,b    
,read] ,panel is accurate &             

sci5tifically valid4  7iv7 ,use ( kn[n  
positive & negative x-rays z a quality  
control tool ,! quality assurance       
program "u ?is p>agraph %all use        
pre-read radiographs1 = :i* ,,ilo       
classifications h be5 previ\sly e/abli%$
 z ext]nal /&>ds1 ) suffici5t frequ5cy 9
 ord] to assure t ,b ,read]s on ,b      
,read] ,panels read radiographs t are   
bord]l9e positive or negative =         
complicat$ pneumoconiosis or progressive
 massive fibrosis 7l>ge opacities great]
 ?an or equal to category ,a ( ! ,,ilo  
classification7 ) accuracy & consi/5cy4 
7v7 ,bl9d read+s ,9 read+ a radiograph  
to make an ,,ilo classification1 a ,b   
,read] %all be bl9d$ f ! orig9 ( !      
radiograph4  7,b7 ,cont9u\s improvem5t  
,! ,director %all e/abli% a process =   
provid+ fe$back to ,b ,read]s 9 ! ,b    
,read] ,pool ) respect to _! p]=mance 9 
provid+ ,,ilo classifications & provide 
sugge/ions = improvem5t4  7c7 ,creation 
& ma9t5ance ( ,b ,read] ,panel ,pool    
7#a7 ,e/abli%m5t ,! ,director %all      

e/abli% a ,b ,read] ,panel ,pool to be  
us$ = ! ,b ,read] ,panel ,program "u ?is
 section4 ,! ,director %all solicit &   
select physicians :o are ,b ,read]s =   
inclusion 9 ! ,b ,read] ,panel ,pool4   
7#b7 ,selection & ret5tion = ,b ,read]s 
on ,b ,read] ,panel ,pool  7,a7 ,9 g5]al
 ,! ,director %all e/abli% & disclose   
crit]ia by :i* ,b ,read]s are select$ & 
reta9$ )9 ! ,b ,read] ,panel ,pool1     
includ+ m9imum /&>ds ( p]=mance describ$
 9 subp>agraph 7,b74  7,b7 ,m9imum /&>ds
 ( p]=mance ,! m9imum /&>ds ( p]=mance =
 inclusion 9 ! ,b ,read] ,panel ,pool   
%all include requir+ ! ,b ,read] to make
 radiograph classifications consi/5t )  
,,ilo classification crit]ia t are      
consi/5tly )9 acceptable norms1 z       
e/abli%$ by ! ,director4  7,c7          
,consid]ations = selection ,9 select+ a 
,b ,read] to be includ$ 9 ! ,b ,read]   
,panel ,pool1 ! ,director %all-- 7i7    
assess1 to ! maximum ext5t practicable1 
! prior p]=mance ( ! ,b ,read] 9 mak+   
,,ilo classifications2  7ii7 consult !  

,national ,practition] ,data ,bank ( !  
,dep>tm5t ( ,heal? & ,human ,s]vices =  
in=mation on physician suitability2 &   
7iii7 assess reports ( adv]se lic5sure1 
c]tifications1 hospital privilege1 &    
pr(essional society actions involv+ ! ,b
 ,read]4  7,d7 ,monitor+ ,! ,director   
%all monitor ,,ilo classifications      
conduct$ "u ?is section to det]m9e if   
any ,b ,read] includ$ 9 ! ,b ,read]     
,panel ,pool demon/rates a patt]n (     
provid+ ,,ilo classifications t are     
errone\s or n consi/5tly )9 ! acceptable
 norms1 z e/abli%$ by ! ,director4  7#c7
 ,process = removal  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,!   
,director %all be au?oriz$ to susp5d or 
remove any ,b ,read] f ! ,b ,read]      
,panel ,pool =--  7i7 consi/5tly fail+  
to meet ! m9imum /&>ds ( p]=mance "u    
p>agraph 7#b77;,b72  7ii7 brea*+ ! code 
( e?ics "u subsection 7b77#c77;,a72 or  
7iii7 o!r disqualify+ conduct1 z        
e/abli%$ by rule or policy4  7,b7       
,review ,! ,director %all provide a     
process = a ,b ,read] :o is aggriev$ by 

a decision ( ! ,director "u subp>agraph 
7,a7 to seek review by ! ,secret>y (    
,heal? & ,human ,s]vices4 ,! review by  
su* ,secret>y %all n /ay ! susp5sion ( !
 ,b ,read] dur+ ! p5d5cy ( ! review4    
7#d7 ,disclosure ,! ,director %all make 
publicly accessible-- 7,a7 ! names &    
qualifications ( ! ,b ,read]s includ$ 9 
! ,b ,read] ,panel ,pool2  7,b7 ! names 
( ,b ,read]s :o h be5 susp5d$ or remov$ 
f ! ,b ,read] ,panel ,pool & ! reasons =
 su* susp5sion or removal2  7,c7 !      
conflict ( int]e/ disclosure /atem5ts   
requir$ "u subsection                   
7b77#c77;,a77ii77,,ii72 &  7,d7 any     
p]t95t in=mation :i* ! ,director        
det]m9es necess>y to assure transp>5cy &
 program integrity4  7d7 ,eligibility   
,to reque/ ,,ilo classifications ,ea* ( 
! foll[+ individuals may reque/ an ,,ilo
 classification "u ?is section3 7#a7    
,claimants or op]ators1 or _! au?oriz$  
repres5tatives1 9 a claim = b5efits t   
meets ! requirem5ts ( subsection        
7b77#a77;,c74  7#b7 ,individuals def9$ z

 adjudication (fic]s by regulations ( ! 
,secret>y4  7e7 ,tim+ ( reports ,foll[+ 
! receipt ( a writt5 reque/ = !         
classification ( a *e/ radiograph1 !    
,director %all provide a report conduct$
 by a ,b ,read] ,panel--  7#a7 = digital
 *e/ radiographic images1 )9 #de days2 &
  7#b7 = film-bas$ *e/ radiographs1 )9  
#ij days4  7f7 ,te/imony  7#a7          
,availability ( director or designee ,! 
,director1 or a designee ( ! ,director1 
%all be available to respond to         
int]rogatories or appe> & te/ify ab\t a 
,b ,read] ,panel's conclusions or !     
process by :i* ,b ,read] ,panels        
classify radiographs 9 a case "u        
subsection 7b77#a77;,c71 ^u ! reque/ ( a
 p>ty to su* case4  7#b7 ,int]rogatories
 & subpo5as = ,b ,read]s ,to ! ext5t t  
additional in=mation is reasonably      
necess>y = ! full developm5t ( evid5ce  
p]ta9+ to a ,b ,read] ,panel ,report 9 a
 case "u subsection 7b77#a77;,c71 a ,b  
,read] ( a ,b ,read] ,panel--  7,a7 may 
be requir$ to respond to int]rogatories 

) respect to ! ,,ilo classification     
provid$ by ! ,b ,read] 9 ! case1 only if
 s ord]$ by an adm9i/rative law judge2 &
  7,b7 may n be requir$ to appe> &      
te/ify "u subpo5a1 unless ! p>ty mak+   
su* reque/ demon/rates to an            
adm9i/rative law judge t--  7i7 7,i7 !  
,b ,read] ,panel ,report is incomplete  
or lacks in=mation t is reasonably      
necess>y = su* full developm5t2 &       
7,,ii7 if responses to int]rogatories 7 
ord]$1 ! responses are uncle> or        
incomplete2 or  7ii7 !re is an          
extraord9>y circum/ance 9 :i* additional
 in=mation t is reasonably necess>y =   
su* full developm5t is o!rwise          
unavailable f ! ,director & c only be   
provid$ by su* ,b ,read]4  7g7          
,adm9i/rative co/s  7#a7 ,e/abli%m5t    
,funds necess>y to e/abli% & op]ate ! ,b
 ,read] ,panel ,program "u ?is section  
%all be paid z an adm9i/rative co/ f !  
fund4 ,! ,director %all consult ) !     
,secret>y on allocations ( funds 9      
e/abli%+ su* program4  7#b7 ,co/s (     

reports = ,b ,read] ,panels  7,a7 ,fees 
7i7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,director %all e/abli% a
 fee = a ,b ,read] ,panel ,report 9     
accordance ) clause 7ii74 ,su* fee %all 
be payable by ! p>ty reque/+ su* report4
 ,no fee %all be *>g$ if ! reque/ = su* 
,,ilo classification is made by an      
individual def9$ z an adjudication (fic]
 by regulations ( ! ,secret>y4  7ii7    
,limitation ,! am\nt ( a fee "u clause  
7i7 %all n exce$ ! direct co/ ( hir+ !  
,b ,read]s ( ! ,b ,read] ,panel t made !
 ,,ilo classification4  7,b7 ,legal co/s
  7i7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,national ,in/itute = 
,occupational ,safety & ,heal? %all use 
am\nts 9 ! fund to pay = all co/s relat$
 to ! appe>ance & responses to          
int]rogatories ( ! ,director or a       
designee ( ! ,director1 or a ,b ,read] (
 a ,b ,read] ,panel1 9 a proce$+ "u ?is 
section4  7ii7 ,repres5tation ( !       
,national ,in/itute = ,occupational     
,safety & ,heal? ,! ,(fice ( ! ,g5]al   
,c\nsel ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,heal? & ,human 
,s]vices %all1 9 consultation ) !       

,solicitor ( ,labor1 repres5t !         
,national ,in/itute = ,occupational     
,safety & ,heal? 9 any proce$+ "u ?is   
section1 ! co/s ( :i* %all be payable f 
! fund4  7h7 ,protocols & int]im f9al   
rules ,n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date 
( enactm5t ( ! ,black ,lung ,b5efits    
,improvem5t ,act ( #bjag1 ! ,secret>y ( 
,heal? & ,human ,s]vices %all issue     
protocols & promulgate int]im f9al      
rules1 z necess>y1 to comm5ce !         
implem5tation ( ?is section4  7i7       
,report to ,congress  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,n  
lat] ?an #cj days aft] ! completion ( ! 
pilot program "u ?is section1 !         
,director %all1 9 consultation ) !      
,secret>y ( ,labor1 prep>e & submit a   
report to ! ,committee on ,heal?1       
,education1 ,labor1 & ,p5sions ( !      
,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,education & ! 
,work=ce ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives t  
includes ! in=mation 9 p>agraph 7#b74   
7#b7 ,cont5ts ,! report "u ?is          
subsection %all include-- 7,a7 ! numb] (
 ,b ,read] ,panels e/abli%$ "u ?is      

section2  7,b7 ! numb] ( ,b ,read]s     
p>ticipat+ 9 ! pilot program "u ?is     
section2  7,c7 ! effectiv5ess ( !       
quality assurance program "u subsection 
7b77#d72  7,d7 ! accuracy ( ! ,,ilo     
classifications conduct$ by ,b ,read]s  
"u ?is section2  7,e7 *all5ges 9 !      
adm9i/ration & implem5tation ( su* pilot
 program2  7,f7 ! co/s & rev5ues ( su*  
pilot program2  7,g7 ! impact ( ! pilot 
program on ! claims-adjudication        
process2  7,h7 a recomm5dation on :e!r !
 pilot program "u ?is section %\ld ext5d
 beyond ! "o-ye> duration "u subsection 
7b77#a77;,b72 &  7,i7 recomm5dations =  
any necess>y modifications to su* pilot 
program1 if ! ,director recomm5ds su* an
 ext5sion4  4  7b7 ,con=m+ am5dm5t      
relat$ to deposit ( fees ,section       
#ieja7;b7 ( ! ,int]nal ,rev5ue ,code (  
#aihf 7#bf ,u4,s4,c4 #ieja7;b77 is am5d$
 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new p>agraph3
  7#c7 ,c]ta9 fees ,am\nts collect$ z   
fees au?oriz$ "u section                
#dcf7;g77#b77;,a7 ( ! ,black ,lung      

,b5efits ,act4  4  #aaj4 ,m$ical evid5ce
 tra9+ program ,"p ,c ( ! ,black ,lung  
,b5efits ,act 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #ica et    
seq471 z am5d$ by sections #ajh & #aji1 
is fur!r am5d$ by add+ at ! end !       
foll[+3  #dcg4 ,m$ical evid5ce tra9+    
program  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an #fj   
days aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ! ,black  
,lung ,b5efits ,improvem5t ,act ( #bjag1
 ! ,secret>y1 9 coord9ation ) !         
,national ,in/itute = ,occupational     
,safety & ,heal?1 %all e/abli% &        
implem5t a tra9+ program1 to provide    
education on issues relat+ to m$ical    
evid5ce relevant to claims = b5efits "u 
?is title1 to ea* ( ! foll[+ individuals
 :o engage 9 "w "u ?is title3  7#a7     
,di/rict directors4  7#b7 ,claims       
exam9]s work+ "u su* directors4  7#c7   
,adm9i/rative law judges & attorney     
advisors support+ su* judges4  7#d7     
,memb]s ( ! ,b5efits ,review ,bo>d      
e/abli%$ "u section #ba7;b7 ( !         
,long%ore & ,h>bor ,work]s' ,comp5sation
 ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #iba7;b774  7b7    

,tra9+ program topics ,! tra9+ program  
"u ?is section %all provide an ov]view (
 topics t include-- 7#a7 new developm5ts
 9 pulmon>y m$ic9e relat+ to            
pneumoconiosis2  7#b7 m$ical evid5ce1 & 
o!r relevant evid5ce1 suffici5t to      
support a claim = b5efits "u ?is title2 
&  7#c7 weigh+ conflict+ m$ical evid5ce 
& te/imony conc]n+ eligibility = su*    
b5efits4  7c7 ,tim+ ( tra9+  7#a7       
,individuals hir$ or appo9t$ prior to ! 
,black ,lung ,b5efits ,improvem5t ,act (
 #bjag ,any di/rict director1 claims    
exam9]1 adm9i/rative law judge1 attorney
 advisor support+ su* judge1 or memb] ( 
! ,b5efits ,review ,bo>d describ$ 9     
subsection 7a77#d71 :o 0 hir$ or appo9t$
 prior to ! date ( enactm5t ( ! ,black  
,lung ,b5efits ,improvem5t ,act ( #bjag 
%all complete ! tra9+ program "u ?is    
section n lat] ?an #fj days aft] !      
e/abli%m5t ( su* program "u subsection  
7a7 & n less ?an annually !reaft]4  7#b7
 ,individuals hir$ or appo9t$ aft] !    
,black ,lung ,b5efits ,improvem5t ,act (

 #bjag ,any di/rict director1 claims    
exam9]1 adm9i/rative law judge1 attorney
 advisor support+ su* judge1 or memb] ( 
! ,b5efits ,review ,bo>d describ$ 9     
subsection 7a77#d71 :o is n describ$ 9  
p>agraph 7#a7 %all complete ! tra9+     
program "u ?is section prior to engag+ 9
 any "w "u ?is title & n less ?an       
annually !reaft]4  4  #aaa4 ,te*nical & 
con=m+ am5dm5ts ,! ,black ,lung ,b5efits
 ,act 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #ija et seq47 is   
am5d$-- 7#a7 9 section #dja7;a7 7#cj    
,u4,s4,c4 #ija7;a771 by ins]t+ or :o 7  
f\nd to be totally disabl$ by su*       
disease aft] su* disease2  7#b7 9       
section #djb 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #ijb7-- 7,a7
 9 subsection 7a71 by /rik+ p>agraph    
7#b7 & ins]t+ ! foll[+3  7#b7 a sp\se :o
 is a memb] ( ! same h\sehold z ! m9]1  
or is receiv+ regul> contributions f !  
m9] = support1 or ^: sp\se is a m9] :o  
has be5 ord]$ by a c\rt to contribute to
 support1 or :o meets ! requirem5ts (   
p>agraph 7#a7 or 7#b7 ( section #baf7;b7
 ( ! ,social ,security ,act or p>agraph 

7#a7 or 7#b7 ( section #baf7;f7 ( su*   
,act4 ,an individual is ! sp\se ( a m9] 
:5 su* individual is legally m>ri$ to ! 
m9] "u ! laws ( ! ,/ate :]e ! m>riage 0 
celebrat$4 ,! t]m sp\se also includes a 
divorc$ wife or divorc$ husb&1 z su*    
t]ms are def9$ 9 p>agraph 7#a7 or 7#d7 (
 section #baf7;d7 ( su* ,act1 :o is     
receiv+ at lea/ "o-half ( 8 or h]       
support1 z det]m9$ 9 accordance )       
regulations prescrib$ by ! ,secret>y1 f 
! m9]1 or is receiv+ sub/antial         
contributions f ! m9] 7pursuant to a    
writt5 agreem5t71 or !re is 9 effect a  
c\rt ord] = sub/antial contributions to 
! sp\se's support f su* m9]4  2  7,b7 by
 /rik+ subsection 7e7 & ins]t+ ! foll[+3
  7e7 ,! t]m surviv+ sp\se includes !   
sp\se liv+ ) or dep5d5t = support on !  
m9] at ! "t ( ! m9]'s dea?1 or liv+ ap>t
 = reasonable cause or because ( ! m9]'s
 des]tion1 or :o meets ! requirem5ts (  
subp>agraph 7,a71 7,b71 7,c71 7,d71 or  
7,e7 ( section #baf7;c77#a7 ( ! ,social 
,security ,act1 subp>agraph 7,a71 7,b71 

7,c71 7,d71 or 7,e7 ( section           
#baf7;g77#a7 ( su* ,act1 or section     
#baf7k7 ( su* ,act1 :o is n m>ri$4 ,an  
individual is ! surviv+ sp\se ( a m9] :5
 legally m>ri$ at ! "t ( ! m9]'s dea? "u
 ! laws ( ! ,/ate :]e ! m>riage 0       
celebrat$4 ,su* t]m also includes a     
surviv+ divorc$ wife or surviv+ divorc$ 
husb&1 z su* t]ms are def9$ 9 p>agraph  
7#b7 or 7#e7 ( section #baf7;d7 ( su*   
,act :o = ! mon? prec$+ ! mon? 9 :i* !  
m9] di$1 0 receiv+ at lea/ "o-half ( 8  
or h] support1 z det]m9$ 9 accordance ) 
regulations prescrib$ by ! ,secret>y1 f 
! m9]1 or 0 receiv+ sub/antial          
contributions f ! m9] 7pursuant to a    
writt5 agreem5t7 or !re 0 9 effect a    
c\rt ord] = sub/antial contributions to 
! sp\se's support f ! m9] at ! "t ( !   
m9]'s dea?4  2  7,c7 9 subsection 7g7-- 
7i7 9 p>agraph 7#b77;,b77ii71 by /rik+  
he ceas$ & ins]t+ ! individual ceas$2 & 
7ii7 9 ! matt] foll[+ p>agraph          
7#b77;,c71 by /rik+ wid[ ea* place x    
appe>s & ins]t+ surviv+ sp\se2  7,d7 9  

subsection 7h71 by /rik+ ,int]nal       
,rev5ue ,code ( #aied & ins]t+ ,int]nal 
,rev5ue ,code ( #aihf2 &  7,e7 9        
subsection 7i71 by /rik+ ,int]nal       
,rev5ue ,code ( #aied & ins]t+ ,int]nal 
,rev5ue ,code ( #aihf2  7#c7 9 section  
#daa 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #iba7--  7,a7 by    
/rik+ subsection 7a7 & ins]t+ ! foll[+3 
7a7 ,! ,secret>y %all1 9 accordance ) ! 
provisions ( ?is title1 & ! regulations 
promulgat$ by ! ,secret>y "u ?is title1 
make paym5ts ( b5efits 9 respect (--    
7#a7 total disability ( any m9] due to  
pneumoconiosis2  7#b7 ! dea? ( any m9]  
^: dea? 0 due to pneumoconiosis2  7#c7  
total disability ( any m9] at ! "t ( !  
m9]'s dea? ) respect to a claim fil$ "u 
"p ,c prior to ,janu>y #a1 #aihb2  7#d7 
survivors' b5efits = any claim fil$ aft]
 ,janu>y #a1 #bjje1 t is p5d+ on or aft]
 ,m>* #bc1 #bjaj1 :]e ! m9] is f\nd     
entitl$ to receive b5efits at ! "t ( !  
m9]'s dea? z a result ( ! m9]'s claim   
fil$ "u "p ,c2 &  7#e7 survivors'       
b5efits :]e ! m9] is f\nd entitl$ to    

receive b5efits at ! "t ( ! m9]'s dea?  
result+ f ! m9]'s claim fil$ "u "p ,c   
be=e ,janu>y #a1 #aihb4  2 &  7,b7 9    
subsection 7c7-- 7i7 9 p>agraph 7#a71 by
 /rik+ 8 pneumoconiosis & ins]t+ ! m9]'s
 pneumoconiosis2 &  7ii7 9 p>agraph     
7#b71 by /rik+ 8 dea? & ins]t+ ! m9]'s  
dea?2  7#d7 9 section #dab 7#cj         
,u4,s4,c4 #ibb7--  7,a7 9 subsection    
7a7-- 7i7 by /rik+ p>agraph 7#b7 &      
ins]t+ ! foll[+3  7#b7 ,9 ! case ( a    
surviv+ sp\se-- 7,a7 ( a m9] ^: dea? is 
due to pneumoconiosis2  7,b7 9 a claim  
fil$ aft] ,janu>y #a1 #bjje1 & t is p5d+
 on or aft] ,m>* #bc1 #bjaj1 ( a m9] :o 
is f\nd entitl$ to receive b5efits at ! 
"t ( ! m9]'s dea? z a result ( ! m9]'s  
claim fil$ "u "p ,c2  7,c7 ( a m9] :o is
 f\nd entitl$ to receive b5efits at ! "t
 ( ! m9]'s dea? z a result ( ! m9]'s    
claim fil$ "u "p ,c be=e ,janu>y #a1    
#aihb2 or  7,d7 9 a claim fil$ "u "p ,c 
be=e ,janu>y #a1 #aihb1 ( a m9] :o 0    
totally disabl$ by pneumoconiosis at !  
"t ( ! m9]'s dea?1  b5efits %all be paid

 to ! m9]'s surviv+ sp\se at ! rate !   
deceas$ m9] w\ld receive su* b5efits if 
! m9] 7 totally disabl$4 2  7ii7 9      
p>agraph 7#c7-- 7,i7 by /rik+ 7#c7 ,9 ! 
case & all t foll[s ?r\gh section       
#daa7;c7 & ins]t+ ! foll[+3 7#c77;,a7 ,9
 ! case ( ! *ild or *ildr5 ( a m9]      
describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,b72  7,,ii7 by 
/rik+ he ea* place x appe>s & ins]t+ !  
*ild2  7,,iii7 by /rik+ wid[ ea* place x
 appe>s & ins]t+ surviv+ sp\se2 &       
7,,iv7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7,b7 
,subp>agraph 7,a7 %all apply 9 ! case ( 
any *ild or *ildr5--  7i7 ( a m9] ^:    
dea? is due to pneumoconiosis2  7ii7 9 a
 claim fil$ aft] ,janu>y #a1 #bjje1 t is
 p5d+ on or aft] ,m>* #bc1 #bjaj1 ( a   
m9] :o is f\nd entitl$ to receive       
b5efits at ! "t ( ! m9]'s dea? z a      
result ( ! m9]'s claim fil$ "u "p ,c2   
7iii7 ( a m9] :o is f\nd entitl$ to     
receive b5efits at ! "t ( ! m9]'s dea? z
 a result ( ! m9]'s claim fil$ "u "p ,c 
be=e ,janu>y #a1 #aihb2  7iv7 9 a claim 
fil$ "u "p ,c be=e ,janu>y #a1 #aihb1 ( 

a m9] :o 0 totally disabl$ by           
pneumoconiosis at ! "t ( ! m9]'s dea?2  
7v7 ( a surviv+ sp\se :o is f\nd entitl$
 to receive b5efits "u ?is "p at ! "t ( 
! surviv+ sp\se's dea?2 or  7vi7 entitl$
 to ! paym5t ( b5efits "u p>agraph 7#e7 
( section #daa7;c74  2  7iii7 9 p>agraph
 7#e7--  7,i7 by /rik+ ! fir/ s5t5ce &  
ins]t+ ! foll[+3 ,9 ! case ( ! dep5d5t  
p>5t or p>5ts ( a m9] :o is n surviv$ at
 ! "t ( dea? by a surviv+ sp\se or a    
*ild & 7i7 ^: dea? is due to            
pneumoconiosis1 7ii7 9 a claim fil$ aft]
 ,janu>y #a1 #bjje1 t is p5d+ on or aft]
 ,m>* #bc1 #bjaj1 :o is f\nd entitl$ to 
receive b5efits at ! "t ( ! m9]'s dea? z
 a result ( ! m9]'s claim fil$ "u "p ,c1
 7iii7 :o is f\nd entitl$ to receive    
b5efits at ! "t ( ! m9]'s dea? z a      
result ( ! m9]'s claim fil$ "u "p ,c    
be=e ,janu>y #a1 #aihb1 or 7iv7 9 a     
claim fil$ "u "p ,c be=e ,janu>y #a1    
#aihb1 :o 0 totally disabl$ by          
pneumoconiosis at ! "t ( ! m9]'s dea?1  
7,i7 9 ! case ( ! dep5d5t surviv+       

bro!r7s7 or si/]7s7 ( su* a m9] :o is n 
surviv$ at ! "t ( ! m9]'s dea? by a     
surviv+ sp\se1 *ild1 or p>5t1 7,,ii7 9 !
 case ( ! dep5d5t p>5t or p>5ts ( a m9] 
7:o is n surviv$ at ! "t ( ! m9]'s dea? 
by a surviv+ sp\se or *ild7 :o are      
entitl$ to ! paym5t ( b5efits "u        
p>agraph 7#e7 ( section #daa7;c71 or    
7,,iii7 9 ! case ( ! dep5d5t surviv+    
bro!r7s7 or si/]7s7 ( a m9] 7:o is n    
surviv$ at ! "t ( ! m9]'s dea? by a     
surviv+ sp\se1 *ild1 or p>5t7 :o are    
entitl$ to ! paym5t ( b5efits "u        
p>agraph 7#e7 ( section #daa7;c71       
b5efits %all be paid "u ?is "p to su*   
p>5t7s71 or to su* bro!r7s71 or si/]7s71
 at ! rate specifi$ 9 p>agraph 7#c7 7z  
if su* p>5t7s7 or su* bro!r7s7 or       
si/]7s71 7 ! *ildr5 ( su* m9]742 &      
7,,ii7 9 ! f\r? s5t5ce-- 7aa7 by /rik+  
bro!r only if he & ins]t+ bro!r or si/] 
only if ! bro!r or si/]2 &  7bb7 by     
/rik+ be=e he ceas$ & ins]t+ be=e !     
bro!r or si/] ceas$2 &  7iv7 9 p>agraph 
7#f71 by /rik+ prescrib$ by him & ins]t+

 prescrib$ by su* ,secret>y2  7,b7 9    
subsection 7b7-- 7i7 by /rik+ 8 ea*     
place x appe>s & ins]t+ su* m9]'s2 &    
7ii7 by /rik+ wid[ ea* place x appe>s & 
ins]t+ surviv+ sp\se2 &  7,c7 9         
subsection 7c71 by /rik+ ,int]nal       
,rev5ue ,code ( #aied & ins]t+ ,int]nal 
,rev5ue ,code ( #aihf2  7#e7 9 section  
#dac 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #ibc7-- 7,a7 9      
subsection 7b7--  7i7 9 ! second s5t5ce1
 by /rik+ 8 wife's affidavits & ins]t+  
affidavits ( ! m9]'s sp\se2  7ii7 9 !   
n9? s5t5ce1 by /rik+ wid[ & ins]t+      
surviv+ sp\se2 &  7iii7 by /rik+ ! la/  
s5t5ce2 &  7,b7 9 subsection 7c71 by    
/rik+ 8 claim & ins]t+ ! claim2  7#f7 9 
section #dad 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #ibd7-- 7,a7
 9 subsection 7a7--  7i7 9 p>agraph     
7#a71 by /rik+ wid[1 )9 six mon?s aft] !
 dea? ( h] husb& & ins]t+ surviv+ sp\se1
 )9 six mon?s aft] ! dea? ( ! m9]2 &    
7ii7 9 p>agraph 7#b77;,c71 by /rik+ 8 & 
ins]t+ ! *ild's2 &  7,b7 9 subsection   
7e7-- 7i7 by /rik+ wid[ & ins]t+ surviv+
 sp\se2 &  7ii7 by /rik+ 8 dea? & ins]t+

 ! m9]'s dea?2  7#g7 9 section #dae7;a7 
7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #ibe7;a77--  7,a7 9      
p>agraph 7#a71 by /rik+ ,int]nal ,rev5ue
 ,code ( #aied & ins]t+ ,int]nal ,rev5ue
 ,code ( #aihf2 &  7,b7 9 p>agraph      
7#b7--  7i7 by /rik+ he & ins]t+ su*    
,secret>y2 &  7ii7 by /rik+ him & ins]t+
 su* ,secret>y2  7#h7 9 section #dba    
7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #ica7-- 7,a7 9 subsection
 7a71 by /rik+ wid[s & ins]t+ sp\ses2 & 
7,b7 9 subsection 7b77#b7-- 7i7 9 !     
matt] prec$+ subp>agraph 7,a71 by /rik+ 
he & ins]t+ su* ,secret>y2 &  7ii7 9    
subp>agraph 7,f71 by /rik+ promulgat$ by
 him & ins]t+ promulgat$ by su*         
,secret>y2  7#i7 9 section #dbb 7#cj    
,u4,s4,c4 #icb7--  7,a7 9 subsection    
7a7-- 7i7 by /rik+ ,int]nal ,rev5ue     
,code ( #aied & ins]t+ ,int]nal ,rev5ue 
,code ( #aihf2 &  7ii7 by /rik+ he &    
ins]t+ su* ,secret>y2  7,b7 9 subsection
 7i77#d71 by /rik+ ,int]nal ,rev5ue     
,code ( #aied & ins]t+ ,int]nal ,rev5ue 
,code ( #aihf2 &  7,c7 9 subsection 7j71
 by /rik+ ,int]nal ,rev5ue ,code ( #aied

 ea* place x appe>s & ins]t+ ,int]nal   
,rev5ue ,code ( #aihf2  7#aj7 9 section 
#dbc7;a7 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #icc7;a771 by   
/rik+ he & ins]t+ su* op]ator2  7#aa7 9 
section #dbd7;b7 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4         
#icd7;b77-- 7,a7 9 ! matt] foll[+       
subp>agraph 7,b7 ( p>agraph 7#a71 by    
/rik+ him & ins]t+ su* op]ator2  7,b7 9 
p>agraph 7#c71 by /rik+ ,int]nal ,rev5ue
 ,code ( #aied ea* place x appe>s &     
ins]t+ ,int]nal ,rev5ue ,code ( #aihf2 &
  7,c7 9 p>agraph 7#e71 by /rik+        
,int]nal ,rev5ue ,code ( #aied & ins]t+ 
,int]nal ,rev5ue ,code ( #aihf2  7#ab7 9
 section #dbh 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #ich7--    
7,a7 9 subsection 7a71 by /rik+ him &   
ins]t+ su* op]ator2 &  7,b7 9 subsection
 7b7-- 7i7 9 ! fir/ s5t5ce1 by /rik+ he 
& ins]t+ ! m9]2  7ii7 9 ! ?ird s5t5ce1  
by /rik+ he & ins]t+ ! ,secret>y2  7iii7
 9 ! n9? s5t5ce--  7,i7 by /rik+ he ea* 
place x appe>s & ins]t+ ! ,secret>y2 &  
7,,ii7 by /rik+ 8 & ins]t+ ! m9]'s2 &   
7iv7 9 ! t5? s5t5ce1 by /rik+ he ea*    
place x appe>s & ins]t+ ! ,secret>y2 &  

7#ac7 9 section #dcj 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4     
#idj7--  7,a7 by /rik+ #aigg & & ins]t+ 
#aigg12 &  7,b7 by /rik+ #aiha & ins]t+ 
#aiha1 & ! ,black ,lung ,b5efits        
,improvem5t ,act ( #bjag1 & any am5dm5ts
 made aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( su*      
,act14  #aab4 ,readjudicat+ cases       
involv+ c]ta9 *e/ radiographs  7a7      
,def9itions ,9 ?is section3 7#a7 ,cov]$ 
*e/ radiograph ,! t]m cov]$ *e/         
radiograph means a *e/ radiograph t 0   
int]pret$ z negative = simple           
pneumoconiosis1 complicat$              
pneumoconiosis1 or progressive massive  
fibrosis by a physician ) respect to :om
 ! ,secret>y has direct$1 9 writ+ & aft]
 an evaluation by ! ,secret>y1 t su*    
physician's negative int]pretations (   
*e/ radiographs n be cr$it$1 except :]e 
subsequ5tly det]m9$ to be cr$ible by !  
,secret>y 9 evaluat+ a claim = b5efits  
"u ! ,black ,lung ,b5efits ,act 7#cj    
,u4,s4,c4 #ija et seq474  7#b7 ,cov]$   
individual ,! t]m cov]$ individual means
 an individual ^: record = a claim =    

b5efits "u ! ,black ,lung ,b5efits ,act 
includes a cov]$ *e/ radiograph4  7#c7  
,cov]$ survivor ,! t]m cov]$ survivor   
means an individual :o-- 7,a7 is a      
survivor ( a cov]$ individual ^: claim  
"u ! ,black ,lung ,b5efits ,act 0 /ill  
p5d+ at ! "t ( ! cov]$ individual's     
dea?2 &  7,b7 cont9u$ to seek an aw>d ) 
respect to ! cov]$ individual's claim   
aft] ! cov]$ individual's dea?4  7b7    
,claims ,a cov]$ individual or a cov]$  
survivor ^: claim = b5efits "u ! ,black 
,lung ,b5efits ,act 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #ija 
et seq47 0 d5i$ prior to ! enactm5t (   
?is ,act may file a new claim = b5efits 
"u ?is ,act n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] !    
date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  7c7        
,adjudication on ! m]its  7#a7 ,9 g5]al 
,any new claim fil$ "u subsection 7b7   
%all be adjudicat$ on ! m]its & %all n  
include consid]ation ( a cov]$ *e/      
radiograph4  7#b7 ,cov]$ survivor ,any  
new claim fil$ "u subsection 7b7 by a   
cov]$ survivor %all be adjudicat$ z ei!r
 a m9]'s or a survivor's claim dep5d+ ^u

 ! type ( claim p5d+ at ! "t ( ! cov]$  
individual's dea?4  7d7 ,"t ( paym5t    
7#a7 ,m9]'s claim ,if a claim1 fil$ "u  
subsection 7b7 & adjudicat$ "u          
subsection 7c7 z a m9]'s claim1 results 
9 an aw>d ( b5efits1 b5efits %all be    
payable beg9n+ ) ! mon? ( ! fil+ ( !    
d5i$ claim t _h includ$ 9 its record a  
cov]$ *e/ radiograph4  7#b7 ,survivor's 
claim ,if a claim1 fil$ "u subsection   
7b7 & adjudicat$ "u subsection 7c7 z a  
survivor's claim1 results 9 an aw>d (   
b5efits1 b5efits %all be payable beg9n+ 
) ! mon? ( ! m9]'s dea?4  7e7           
,contribut+ impact ,! ,secret>y %all h !
 discretion to d5y a new claim "u       
subsection 7b7 9 circum/ances :]e ! p>ty
 oppos+ su* claim e/abli%es ?r\gh cle> &
 conv9c+ evid5ce t a cov]$ *e/          
radiograph did n contribute to !        
decision to d5y b5efits 9 all prior     
claims fil$ by ! cov]$ individual or !  
cov]$ survivor4  7f7 ,limitation on fil+
 ( new claims ,a new claim = b5efits may
 be fil$ "u subsection 7b7 only if !    

orig9al claim 0 f9ally d5i$ by a di/rict
 director1 an adm9i/rative law judge1 or
 ! ,b5efits ,review ,bo>d e/abli%$ "u   
section #ba7;b7 ( ! ,long%ore & ,h>bor  
,work]s' ,comp5sation ,act 7#cc         
,u4,s4,c4 #iba7;b774  #aac4 ,disclosure 
( employm5t & e>n+s in=mation = ,black  
,lung ,b5efits ,act claims  7a7 ,tax    
return in=mation ,section #fajc7l7 ( !  
,int]nal ,rev5ue ,code ( #aihf is am5d$ 
by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new p>agraph3 
7#bc7 ,disclosure ( return in=mation to 
,dep>tm5t ( ,labor to c>ry out ,black   
,lung ,b5efits ,act  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,!   
,commission] ( ,social ,security %all1  
on writt5 reque/ ) respect to any       
individual1 disclose to (fic]s or       
employees ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,labor return 
in=mation f returns ) respect to net    
e>n+s f self-employm5t 7z def9$ 9       
section #adjb7 & wages 7z def9$ 9       
section #caba7;a7 or #cdja7;a77 =       
employm5t = ea* employ] ( su*           
individual4  7,b7 ,re/riction on        
disclosure ,! ,commission] ( ,social    

,security %all disclose return in=mation
 "u subp>agraph 7,a7 only = purposes (1 
& ! ext5t necess>y 91 c>ry+ out ! prop] 
adm9i/ration ( ! ,black ,lung ,b5efits  
,act 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #ija et seq474  4   
7b7 ,social security e>n+s in=mation    
,not)/&+ section #eeb;a ( title #e1     
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 or any o!r         
provision ( ,f$]al or ,/ate law1 !      
,commission] ( ,social ,security %all   
make available to ! (fic]s & employees (
 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,labor1 ^u writt5 reque/1
 ! ,social ,security e>n+s in=mation (  
liv+ or deceas$ individuals :o are !    
subject ( a claim "u ! ,black ,lung     
,b5efits ,act 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #ija et    
seq471 :i* ! ,secret>y ( ,labor may     
require to c>ry out su* ,act4 ,su*      
in=mation %all be made available 9      
electronic =m4  ,b ,reports ,to improve 
! adm9i/ration ( b5efits "u ! ,black    
,lung ,b5efits ,act  #aba4 ,/rategy to  
r$uce delays 9 adjudication  7a7 ,9     
g5]al ,n lat] ?an #ij days aft] ! date (
 enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y (     

,labor %all submit to ! ,committee on   
,heal?1 ,education1 ,labor1 & ,p5sions &
 ! ,committee on ,appropriations ( !    
,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,education & ! 
,work=ce & ! ,committee on              
,appropriations ( ! ,h\se (             
,repres5tatives a compreh5sive /rategy  
to r$uce ! backlog ( cases p5d+ on su*  
date ( enactm5t be=e ! ,(fice (         
,adm9i/rative ,law ,judges ( ! ,dep>tm5t
 ( ,labor4  7b7 ,cont5ts ( /rategy ,!   
/rategy "u ?is section %all provide     
in=mation relat+ to-- 7#a7 ! curr5t &   
t>get$ p5d5cy = ea* category ( cases    
be=e ! ,(fice ( ,adm9i/rative ,law      
,judges ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,labor2  7#b7 ! 
numb] ( adm9i/rative law judges1        
attorney advisors support+ su* judges1  
support /aff1 & o!r res\rces necess>y to
 a*ieve & ma9ta9 ! t>get$ p5d5cy = ea*  
category ( su* cases2  7#c7 ! necess>y  
res\rces to improve effici5cy &         
effectiv5ess1 su* z equipm5t = video    
conf]5ces1 tra9+1 use ( reemploy$       
annuitants1 & adm9i/rative re=ms2  7#d7 

! impact ( seque/ration1 furl\ghs1 & !  
,f$]al ,gov]nm5t %utd[n1 :i* occurr$ f  
,octob] #a to ,octob] #af1 #bjac1 on    
increas+ adm9i/rative burd5s & ! backlog
 ( cases p5d+ be=e su* (fice2 &  7#e7 ) 
respect to claims fil$ "u ! ,black ,lung
 ,b5efits ,act 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #ija et   
seq471 ! necess>y res\rces ne$$ to r$uce
 ! av]age p5d5cy ( cases to less ?an #ab
 mon?s f ! date ( receipt ( ! case to ! 
date ( disposition ( su* case4  7c7     
,consultation ,9 prep>+ su* /rategy1 !  
,secret>y ( ,labor %all consult )       
organizations t h ongo+ int]actions ) ! 
,(fice ( ,adm9i/rative ,law ,judges ( ! 
,dep>tm5t ( ,labor1 includ+             
organizations t repres5t p>ties 9 cases 
"u ! ,black ,lung ,b5efits ,act1 !      
,long%ore & ,h>bor ,work]s' ,comp5sation
 ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #ija et seq471 &   
,f$]al /atutes reg>d+ :i/lebl[]s1 wages 
& h\rs = employees1 & immigration4      
#abb4 ,,gao report on black lung program
  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] !
 date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 !          

,comptroll] ,g5]al ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates    
%all submit to ! ,committee on ,heal?1  
,education1 ,labor1 & ,p5sions ( !      
,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,education & ! 
,work=ce ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a  
report on any b>ri]s to heal? c>e fac$  
by coal m9]s ) pneumoconiosis4  7b7     
,cont5ts ,! report requir$ "u subsection
 7a7 %all include-- 7#a7 an assessm5t ( 
possible b>ri]s to heal? c>e "u ! ,black
 ,lung ,b5efits ,act 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #ija
 et seq47 & ! degree to :i* any b>ri]s  
impact ! ability ( m9]s ) legitimate    
m$ical ne$s1 p>ticul>ly su* m9]s 9 rural
 areas1 to access treatm5t =            
pneumoconiosis2  7#b7 recomm5dations    
necess>y to address issues1 if any1     
relat+ to pati5t access to c>e "u su*   
,act2 &  7#c7 an evaluation ( :e!r !    
b5efit paym5ts au?oriz$ "u su* ,act1 z  
am5d$ by ?is ,act1 are suffici5t to meet
 ! exp5ses ( disabl$ m9]s1 surviv+      
sp\ses1 dep5d5ts1 & o!r family memb]s   
entitl$ to receive b5efits "u ! ,black  
,lung ,b5efits ,act4  ,,ii ,/&>d =      

respirable du/ conc5tration  #bja4 ,/&>d
 = respirable du/ conc5tration ,section 
#bjb ( ! ,f$]al ,m9e ,safety & ,heal?   
,act ( #aigg 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #hdb7 is    
am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7i7   
,reports  7#a7 ,retrospective /udy  7,a7
 ,9 g5]al ,beg9n+ on ,augu/ #a1 #bjba1 !
 ,secret>y %all conduct a retrospective 
/udy evaluat+ data collect$ us+ cont9u\s
 p]sonal du/ monitors to det]m9e :e!r   
to--  7i7 l[] ! applicable /&>d =       
respirable du/ conc5tration to protect !
 heal? ( m9]s2  7ii7 increase ! frequ5cy
 = tak+ samples ( respirable du/        
conc5tration1 us+ cont9u\s p]sonal du/  
monitors2  7iii7 modify ! eng9e]+       
controls & "w practices us$ by m9e      
op]ators to comply ) ! applicable /&>d =
 respirable du/ conc5tration2  7iv7     
conv]t samples tak5 = %ifts t are great]
 ?an #h h\rs to an #h-;h\r equival5t    
conc5tration to m accurately assess !   
conditions ( m9]s work+ on long] %ifts2 
&  7v7 l[] ! #ajj g_/m#c /&>d = qu>tz   
7cry/all9e silica7 9 respirable du/ to  

bett] protect m9]s' heal?4  7,b7        
,completion deadl9e ,by ,augu/ #a1      
#bjbb1 ! ,secret>y %all complete ! /udy 
requir$ by subp>agraph 7,a7 & report !  
f9d+s ( su* /udy to ! ,committee on     
,heal?1 ,education1 ,labor1 & ,p5sions (
 ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,education &
 ! ,work=ce ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives4
  7#b7 ,subsequ5t /udies ,by ,augu/ #a1 
#bjbe1 & e #c ye>s !reaft]1 ! ,secret>y 
%all conduct a new /udy z describ$ 9    
p>agraph 7#a77;,a7 & report1 by n lat]  
?an "o ye> aft] ! comm5cem5t ( ! /udy1 !
 f9d+s ( su* /udy to ! ,committee on    
,heal?1 ,education1 ,labor1 & ,p5sions (
 ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,education &
 ! ,work=ce ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives4
  7#c7 ,revis$ /&>ds ,if any report ( ! 
,secret>y "u ?is subsection concludes t 
! applicable /&>d = respirable du/      
conc5tration %\ld be l[]$ to protect !  
heal? ( m9]s1 or t ! incid5ce (         
pneumoconiosis among coal m9]s 9 !      
,unit$ ,/ates1 z report$ by ! ,national 
,in/itute = ,occupational ,safety &     

,heal?1 has n be5 r$uc$ f su* incid5ce  
prior to ! implem5tation ( ! mo/ rec5t  
applicable /&>d = respirable du/        
conc5tration1 ! ,secret>y %all1 consi/5t
 ) ! requirem5ts ( ?is section & section
 #aja1 accord+ly revise su* /&>d & any  
applicable sampl+ or te/+ proc$ures n   
lat] ?an #bd mon?s aft] ! publication ( 
su* report ( ! ,secret>y "u ?is         
subsection4  4  ,,iii ,e/abli%+ ! ,(fice
 ( ,work]s' ,comp5sation ,programs      
#cja4 ,(fice ( ,work]s' ,comp5sation    
,programs  7a7 ,e/abli%m5t ,!re %all be 
e/abli%$1 9 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,labor1 an    
,(fice ( ,work]s' ,comp5sation ,programs
 7ref]r$ to 9 ?is section z ! ,(fice74  
7b7 ,director  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,(fice  
%all be direct$ by a ,director = !      
,(fice ( ,work]s' ,comp5sation 7ref]r$  
to 9 ?is title z ! ,director7 :o %all be
 appo9t$ by ! ,presid5t1 by & ) ! advice
 & cons5t ( ! ,s5ate4  7#b7 ,duties ,!  
,director %all c>ry out all duties c>ri$
 out by ! ,director = ! ,(fice (        
,work]s' ,comp5sation z ( ! day be=e !  

date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  7c7        
,functions ,! functions ( ! ,(fice on & 
aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act %all  
include ! functions ( ! ,(fice on ! day 
be=e ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act1      
includ+ all ( its p]sonnel1 assets1     
au?orities1 & liabilities4  7d7         
,ref]5ces to ,bureau ( ,employees'      
,comp5sation ,ref]5ce 9 any o!r ,f$]al  
law1 ,executive ord]1 reorganization    
plan1 rule1 regulation1 or delegation ( 
au?ority1 or any docum5t ( or relat+ to 
! ,bureau ( ,employees' ,comp5sation )  
reg>d to functions c>ri$ out by ! ,(fice
 ( ,work]s' ,comp5sation ,programs1 %all
 be deem$ to ref] to ! ,(fice ( ,work]s'
 ,comp5sation ,programs4  ,,iv          
,sev]ability  #dja4 ,sev]ability ,if any
 provision ( ?is ,act1 or an am5dm5t    
made by ?is ,act1 or ! application ( su*
 provision to any p]son or circum/ance1 
is held to be invalid1 ! rema9d] ( ?is  
,act1 or an am5dm5t made by ?is ,act1 or
 ! application ( su* provision to o!r   
p]sons or circum/ances1 %all n be       

affect$4