117 HR 6102 RH: Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2022
U.S. House of Representatives
2022-12-23
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EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
1.This Act may be cited as the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2022
.2.The table of contents for this Act is as follows:Sec. 1. Short title.Sec. 2. Table of contents.Title I—Black Lung BenefitsPart A—Improving the Process for Filing and Adjudicating Claims for BenefitsSec. 101. Providing assistance with claims for miners and their dependent family members.Sec. 102. Clarifying eligibility for black lung benefits.Sec. 103. Development of medical evidence by the Secretary.Sec. 104. False statements or misrepresentations, attorney disqualification, and discovery sanctions.Sec. 105. Readjudicating cases involving certain chest radiographs.Sec. 106. Attorneys’ fees and medical expenses payment program.Sec. 107. Restoring adequate benefit adjustments for miners suffering from black lung disease and for their dependent family members.Sec. 108. Disclosure of employment and earnings information for Black Lung benefits claims.Part B—Reports to improve the administration of benefits under the Black Lung Benefits ActSec. 121. Strategy to reduce delays in adjudication.Part C—Improvement in the Financial Security of the Black Lung Benefits Disability Trust FundSec. 131. Policies for securing the payment of benefits.Title II—Establishing the Office of Workers' Compensation ProgramsSec. 201. Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.Title III—Additional provisionsSec. 301. Technical and conforming amendments.Sec. 302. Severability.<enum>I</enum><header>Black Lung Benefits</header><part id="H40512A1CE438480799B3FBE7E0BFF30C" style="OLC"><enum>A</enum><header>Improving the Process for Filing and Adjudicating Claims for Benefits</header><section id="H633558E5B82D45B9B496DD57E3221045"><enum>101.</enum><header>Providing assistance with claims for miners and their dependent family members</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 427(a) of the Black Lung Benefits Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/937">30 U.S.C. 937(a)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>the analysis, examination, and treatment</quote> and all that follows through <quote>coal miners.</quote> and inserting <quote>the analysis, examination, and treatment of respiratory and pulmonary impairments in active and inactive coal miners and for assistance on behalf of miners, spouses, dependents, and other family members with claims arising under this title.</quote>.</text></section><section id="HCCAF0F79E80A467AB8C0F2B4C756F969"><enum>102.</enum><header>Clarifying eligibility for black lung benefits</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 411(c) of the Black Lung Benefits Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/921">30 U.S.C. 921(c)</external-xref>) is amended by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H60385031FF6A445486EF6803C23E2CA3" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HED00"><paragraph id="H1680FDD8DB3F4507827F8AAAAEAAB679" display-inline="yes-display-inline"><enum>(3)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H30F4CCFF954D4D49BE112CEAFA7C7AC7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>If x-ray, CT scan, biopsy, autopsy, or other medically accepted and relevant test or procedure establishes that a miner is suffering or has suffered from a chronic dust disease of the lung, diagnosed as complicated pneumoconiosis or progressive massive fibrosis (as determined in accordance with subparagraph (B)), then there shall be an irrebuttable presumption that such miner is totally disabled due to pneumoconiosis, that the miner’s death was due to pneumoconiosis, or that at the time of death the miner was totally disabled by pneumoconiosis, as the case may be.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE5290E5A28834AD1A84B944A0D0769D4" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>For purposes of subparagraph (A), complicated pneumoconiosis or progressive massive fibrosis can be established by any of the following:</text><clause id="HB8B63905047343A18A0DDCCF89AAE20D"><enum>(i)</enum><text>A chest radiograph, which yields one or more large opacities whose greatest diameter exceeds 1 centimeter and would be classified in Category A, B, or C in the International Classification of Radiographs of Pneumoconiosis by the International Labor Organization, in the absence of more probative evidence sufficient to establish that the etiology of the large opacity is not pneumoconiosis.</text></clause><clause id="H23F789A8A0FA4C3FA5FA2783677CBF14"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>A chest CT scan, which yields one or more large opacities whose greatest diameter exceeds 1 centimeter, in the absence of more probative evidence sufficient to establish that the etiology of the large opacity is not pneumoconiosis.</text></clause><clause id="H7E62D66048804A67A98F93E149689BCD"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>A lung biopsy or autopsy, which would yield a lesion at least 1 centimeter in its long axis diameter if measured at the time of gross dissection.</text></clause><clause id="H45D9DD241314498FA8A2900D8CA994FD"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>A diagnosis by other means that would reasonably be expected to yield results described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii).</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section><section id="HC799566C90B54698AA88456F47A5FBCC"><enum>103.</enum><header>Development of medical evidence by the Secretary</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Part C of the Black Lung Benefits Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/931">30 U.S.C. 931 et seq.</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H50E947735F55424A91F53CAA6975AE17" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HED00"><section id="H797E2BF77C5C47C58A40D1F436C21A9B"><enum>435.</enum><header>Development of medical evidence by the Secretary</header><subsection id="H7A240979B4AF4D20913A10752E7CC6A4"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Complete pulmonary evaluation</header><text>Upon request by a claimant for benefits under this title, the Secretary shall provide the claimant an opportunity to substantiate the claim through a complete pulmonary evaluation of the miner that shall include—</text><paragraph id="HBB48F3714F54464AB9740E3786BB9C66"><enum>(1)</enum><text>an initial report, conducted by a qualified physician on the list provided under subsection (e), and in accordance with subsection (d)(5) and sections 402(f)(1)(D) and 413(b); and </text></paragraph><paragraph id="HB23B45739E2942908810C92396E2F1EA"><enum>(2)</enum><text>if the conditions under subsection (b) are met, any supplemental medical evidence described in subsection (c).</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H69CE593AE71F4CC3BE96CD6A525C3487" commented="no"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Authorizing chest scans</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In diagnosing whether there is complicated pneumoconiosis as a part of a medical examination conducted under subsection (a), the Secretary shall authorize a high-quality, low-dose or standard computerized tomography scan where any or a combination of the following is found:</text><paragraph id="HA3C3468079494FD08FAA0E9E311C6C63" commented="no"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any certified B reader of a chest radiograph associated with an exam conducted under section 413(b) finds pneumoconiosis (ILO category 2/1 or greater).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HDC92272311D94D66983C42FE87F5758B" commented="no"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any certified B reader of a chest radiograph associated with an exam conducted under section 413(b) finds a coalescence of small opacities.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H6A3289DE693E475D8ACB4F563972B4D6"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Conditions for supplemental medical evidence</header><text>The Secretary shall develop supplemental medical evidence, in accordance with subsection (d)—</text><paragraph id="H6C5AB9B4C9F14FCC86CCD00E39DCC995"><enum>(1)</enum><text>for any claim in which the Secretary recommends an award of benefits based on the results of the initial report under subsection (a)(1) and a party opposing such award submits evidence that could be considered contrary to the findings of the Secretary; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HFF953CBF65004DB1B8F5DE770518AC01"><enum>(2)</enum><text>for any compensation case under this title heard by an administrative law judge, in which—</text><subparagraph id="HF564673247304A07894776A7997ED436"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Secretary has awarded benefits to the claimant;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H29F2984A992642279F153721622E1052"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the party opposing such award has submitted evidence not previously reviewed that could be considered contrary to the award under subparagraph (A); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H77FAAC8B837C42C497D007AECC185595"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the claimant or, if the claimant is represented by an attorney, the claimant’s attorney consents to the Secretary developing supplemental medical evidence.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H7D2EBCC5D7D44939B5B03E476D480023"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Process for supplemental medical evidence</header><paragraph id="HE77CB333EC614CF09DCF1AE603E1CC0C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided under paragraph (2), to develop supplemental medical evidence under conditions described in subsection (c), the Secretary shall request the physician who conducted the initial report under subsection (a)(1) to—</text><subparagraph id="HF5C28BEB13CE4343BE0F23CBDAABF679"><enum>(A)</enum><text>review any medical evidence submitted after such report or the most recent supplemental report, as appropriate; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H096A78182EB04333A943A21D5E132CCB"><enum>(B)</enum><text>update his or her opinion in a supplemental report.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HE381332BAD504CF48E1F853EBACF7C8D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Alternative physician</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If such physician is no longer available or is unwilling to provide supplemental medical evidence under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall select another qualified physician from the list provided pursuant to subsection (e) to provide such evidence.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HBF5CF68207D043E3959B05B98E64A12B"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Qualified physicians for complete pulmonary evaluation and protections for suitability and potential conflicts of interest</header><paragraph id="HB9DB10BBEF5449CA820AC2D5504C9B4E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Qualified physicians list</header><text>The Secretary shall create and maintain a list of qualified physicians to be selected by a claimant to perform the complete pulmonary evaluation described in subsection (a).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H2F0F0064C4414D538B144B4901E56A75"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Public availability</header><text>The Secretary shall make the list under this subsection available to the public.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H9966252F4EA44C11BAB798F1644DFE2F"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Annual evaluation</header><text>Each year, the Secretary shall update such list by reviewing the suitability of the listed qualified physicians and assessing any potential conflicts of interest.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HF59F611D149640B09BDE7E92BD963020"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Criteria for suitability</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall include on the list only those physicians whom the Secretary determines are qualified, capable, and willing to provide credible opinions consistent with the premises underlying this Act. In determining whether a physician is suitable to be on the list under this subsection, the Secretary shall consult the National Practitioner Data Bank of the Department of Health and Human Services and assess reports of adverse licensure, certifications, hospital privilege, and professional society actions involving the physician. In no case shall such list include any physician—</text><subparagraph id="HB823CA770C514A1986CE5C3BE7546B8A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>who is not licensed to practice medicine in any State or any territory, commonwealth, or possession of the United States;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H94D560D475C0417A8E2FEF80A0B00AF8"><enum>(B)</enum><text>whose license is revoked by a medical licensing board of any State, territory, commonwealth, or possession of the United States; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9D120F34A8874176B2FE6ED89B91748F"><enum>(C)</enum><text>whose license is suspended by a medical licensing board of any State, territory, commonwealth, or possession of the United States.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HC6B962EC228B4137AB09172A296335C6"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Conflicts of interest</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure that any actual or potential conflict of interest of qualified physicians on the list under this subsection, including both individual and organizational conflicts of interest, are disclosed to the Department, and to provide such disclosure to claimants. Such policies and procedures shall provide that a physician with a conflict of interest shall not be used to perform a complete pulmonary medical evaluation under subsection (a) that is reimbursed pursuant to subsection (g) if—</text><subparagraph id="H3351CC0560F24FCDA751145D3908DA84"><enum>(A)</enum><text>such physician is employed by, under contract to, or otherwise providing services to a private party opposing the claim, a law firm or lawyer representing such opposing party, or an interested insurer or other interested third party; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7597E90E4BDB40E1801F5C6002785C55"><enum>(B)</enum><text>such physician has been retained by a private party opposing the claim, a law firm or lawyer representing such opposing party, or an interested insurer or other interested third party in the previous 24 months.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H37DDD382045640D893A9E7573C4099BF"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Record</header><text>Upon receipt of any initial report or supplemental report under this section, the Secretary shall enter the report in the record and provide a copy of such report to all parties to the proceeding.</text></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF6B3C504AE344AFEAAD51A7C14D40174"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Expenses</header><text>All expenses related to obtaining the medical evidence under this section shall be paid for by the fund. If a claimant receives a final award of benefits, the operator liable for payment of benefits, if any, shall reimburse the fund for such expenses, which shall include interest.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section><section id="H5D7B7B3FE6AB448AA1238768020816BE"><enum>104.</enum><header>False statements or misrepresentations, attorney disqualification, and discovery sanctions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 431 of the Black Lung Benefits Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/941">30 U.S.C. 941</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HDE75735841B74FC48C16772898C9C412" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HED00"><section id="H4D894B584DE147D78FD7F0CCE4818363"><enum>431.</enum><header>False statements or misrepresentations, attorney disqualification, and discovery sanctions</header><subsection id="H02F876E6E4FA47A6BBFB41F688179833"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>No person, including any claimant, physician, operator, duly authorized agent of such operator, or employee of an insurance carrier, shall—</text><paragraph id="H5B337E5FE76542F19DE01898B9CCE6E4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>knowingly and willfully make a false statement or misrepresentation for the purpose of obtaining, increasing, reducing, denying, or terminating benefits under this title; or</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H83D23E87A6CC4EB8A7B04809878A8826"><enum>(2)</enum><text>knowingly and willfully threaten, coerce, intimidate, deceive, or mislead a party, representative, witness, potential witness, judge, or anyone participating in a proceeding regarding any matter related to a proceeding under this title.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HE7251D685B7D42F19C637B764BE4ABFA"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Fine; imprisonment</header><text>Any person who engages in the conduct described in subsection (a) shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine in accordance with title 18, United States Code, imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both.</text></subsection><subsection id="HCA0D143C6F4E48969970638A01A28FD4"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Prompt investigation</header><text>The United States Attorney for the district in which the conduct described in subsection (a) is alleged to have occurred shall make every reasonable effort to promptly investigate each complaint of a violation of such subsection.</text></subsection><subsection id="HC83F8ADE35C54F3CAEBB73AB7309B113"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Disqualification</header><paragraph id="H49A3C2D010074E78BE50B789A444C5DA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>An attorney or expert witness who engages in the conduct described in subsection (a) shall, in addition to the fine or imprisonment provided under subsection (b), be permanently disqualified from representing any party, or appearing in any proceeding, under this title.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HD3BF63E5FE0E4B6986F448D3C9CB9ACD"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Attorney disqualification</header><text>In addition to the disqualification described in paragraph (1), the Secretary may disqualify an attorney from representing any party in any administrative proceeding under this title for either a limited term or permanently, if the attorney—</text><subparagraph id="H3640264E285E48B2ADDBD0C0FF43E7D9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>engages in any action or behavior that is prejudicial to the fair and orderly conduct of such proceeding; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H66758C379F6547378BFC463CF83FC54B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>is suspended or disbarred by any court of the United States, any State, or any territory, commonwealth, or possession of the United States with jurisdiction over the proceeding.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H717E47EDB4C148818DCEC556A4432476"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Discovery sanctions</header><text>An administrative law judge may sanction a party who fails to comply with an order to compel discovery or disclosure, or to supplement earlier responses, in a proceeding under this title. These sanctions may include, as appropriate—</text><paragraph id="H0D9304D6B6B848159F44026F429175E0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>drawing an adverse inference against the noncomplying party on the facts relevant to the discovery or disclosure order;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H84A4C62F378E4C148029339A8DDDE94F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>limiting the noncomplying party’s claims, defenses, or right to introduce evidence; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HD33882A7444949A9A14B028FDD4F831B"><enum>(3)</enum><text>rendering a default decision against the noncomplying party.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H41AFC8EB7F204590BB191BA4CE164D3F"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall promulgate a proposed rule not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act and a final rule not later than 18 months after such date of enactment that—</text><paragraph id="HF0AD193E1CD34986A95FB11084B9E655"><enum>(1)</enum><text>provides procedures for the disqualifications and sanctions under this section and is appropriate for all parties; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HB102E11F0EF147F2866ACD5223348D00"><enum>(2)</enum><text>distinguishes between parties that are represented by an attorney and parties that are not represented by an attorney.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section><section id="HA46416ED05A64EDAA0933B5042ED6B8B"><enum>105.</enum><header>Readjudicating cases involving certain chest radiographs</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Part C of the Black Lung Benefits Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/931">30 U.S.C. 931 et seq.</external-xref>), as amended by section 103, is further amended by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" id="H9C07D24E30A44092B13D178A54D5AA1E" display-inline="no-display-inline" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HED00"><section id="H645F9F61C02140ACA0914346D324FD66"><enum>436.</enum><header>Readjudicating cases involving discredited expert opinions</header><subsection id="HC715458C3AC040AF9D7CB92517EC13E8"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section:</text><paragraph id="HA8A1E6F87C814BA9AF773BDD41335EC8"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Covered chest radiograph</header><text>The term <term>covered chest radiograph</term> means a chest radiograph that was interpreted as negative for simple pneumoconiosis, complicated pneumoconiosis, or progressive massive fibrosis by a physician with respect to whom the Secretary has directed, in writing and after an evaluation by the Secretary, that such physician’s negative interpretations of chest radiographs not be credited, except where subsequently determined to be credible by the Secretary in evaluating a claim for benefits under this Act.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H8ACE7967AFE34DA7809764A641FCA4BD"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Covered individual</header><text>The term <term>covered individual</term> means an individual whose record for a claim for benefits under this Act includes a covered chest radiograph.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H32F54EC1170D467DA519957767BCF7CF"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Covered survivor</header><text>The term <term>covered survivor</term> means an individual who—</text><subparagraph id="HB1C3587D39A044E3B5DC4C5279CE6DF6"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">is a survivor of a covered individual whose claim under this Act was still pending at the time of the covered individual’s death; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF469F5F74DEF4850B48D33AD70CD9943"><enum>(B)</enum><text>who continued to seek an award with respect to the covered individual’s claim after the covered individual’s death.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H675DB66FCF6244D9A41EF9FFA400DEB6"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Claims</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A covered individual or a covered survivor whose claim for benefits under this Act was denied may file a new claim for benefits under this Act.</text></subsection><subsection id="H9274A76E64E842429C51C26F97769853"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Adjudication on the merits</header><paragraph id="H7D68C05B2D2341A3B02379A96514CBF9"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Any new claim filed under subsection (b) shall be adjudicated on the merits and shall not include consideration of a covered chest radiograph.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HC96982D45DC648BD87A8A72EEB49562D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Covered survivor</header><text>Any new claim filed under subsection (b) by a covered survivor shall be adjudicated as either a miner’s or a survivor’s claim depending upon the type of claim pending at the time of the covered individual’s death.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H138CA19D9CCB4FE09EFEE42DF13D9448"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Time of payment</header><paragraph id="H7F143D739A3C45DCAEAAC1D4FC540FA2"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Miner’s claim</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If a claim, filed under subsection (b) and adjudicated under subsection (c) as a miner’s claim, results in an award of benefits, benefits shall be payable beginning with the month of the filing of the denied claim that had included in its record a covered chest radiograph.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HC6A7716C198F44DC83861B2EFECD454C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Survivor’s claim</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If a claim, filed under subsection (b) and adjudicated under subsection (c) as a survivor’s claim, results in an award of benefits, benefits shall be payable beginning with the month of the miner’s death.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H4255E63F19BC4BC0B2A6CB6BCDD39011"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Contributing impact</header><text>The Secretary shall have the discretion to deny a new claim under subsection (b) in circumstances where the party opposing such claim establishes through clear and convincing evidence that a covered chest radiograph did not contribute to the decision to deny benefits in all prior claims filed by the covered individual or the covered survivor.</text></subsection><subsection id="H10FBAFB22D644BD09813B8E8A2564680"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Limitation on filing of new claims</header><text>A new claim for benefits may be filed under subsection (b) only if the original claim was finally denied by a district director, an administrative law judge, or the Benefits Review Board established under section 21(b) of the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/33/921">33 U.S.C. 921(b)</external-xref>).</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section><section id="H39BCAE37BB8447EC914DDFF43FFCA694"><enum>106.</enum><header>Attorneys’ fees and medical expenses payment program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Part A of the Black Lung Benefits Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/901">30 U.S.C. 901 et seq.</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1915D18F4CA34E49AC75AB1575CAD1A2" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HED00"><section id="HF2F0846001E2496A93D62F719A5710A0"><enum>403.</enum><header>Attorneys’ fees and medical expenses payment program</header><subsection id="H63820B82E02B4D9BA6197BF39C503A7D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Program established</header><paragraph id="H5DC73D4B546341BF92894BDF00A0A49C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the <short-title>Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2022</short-title>, the Secretary shall establish a payment program to pay attorneys’ fees and other reasonable and unreimbursed medical expenses incurred in establishing the claimant’s case, using amounts from the fund, to the attorneys of claimants in qualifying claims.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HDFF15C81E02A4BF0986D1C7FFA34912B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Qualifying claim</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A qualifying claim for purposes of this section is a contested claim for benefits under this title for which a final order has not been entered within two years of the filing of the claim.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H7580E1C491594B29B7D9B2B80FE30322"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Use of payments from the fund</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, amounts in the fund shall be available for payments authorized by the Secretary under this section.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H45836EC754A04C4BA5B124B91FFB98F7"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Payments authorized</header><paragraph id="H69E82196CE4249B88755C4F6C23B36D6"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Attorneys’ fees</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If a claimant for benefits under this title obtains a proposed decision and order from a district director with an award of benefits for a qualifying claim, or an award for a qualifying claim before an administrative law judge, the district director may approve attorneys’ fees for work done before such director in an amount not to exceed $1,500 and an administrative law judge may approve attorneys’ fees for work done before such judge in an amount not to exceed $3,000. The Secretary shall, through the program under this section, pay such amounts approved.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HA7C138DC098642FBA7B24A07746A3399"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Medical expenses</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If a claimant for benefits under this title obtains a proposed decision and order from a district director with an award of benefits for a qualifying claim, or an award for a qualifying claim before an administrative law judge, such district director and administrative law judge may each approve an award to the claimant’s attorney of reasonable and unreimbursed medical expenses incurred in establishing the claimant’s case in an amount not to exceed $1,500. The Secretary shall, through the program under this section, pay such amounts approved.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H364280F7D6FB4239A5CA74EE70B00825"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Maximum</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The program established under this section shall not pay more than a total of $4,500 in attorneys’ fees nor more than $3,000 in medical expenses for any single qualifying claim.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H553ED8941293499A89002BA63F1D917D"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Reimbursement of funds</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In any case in which a qualifying claim results in a final order awarding compensation, the liable operator shall reimburse the fund for any fees or expenses paid under this section, subject to enforcement by the Secretary under section 424 and in the same manner as compensation orders are enforced under section 21(d) of the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/33/921">33 U.S.C. 921(d)</external-xref>).</text></subsection><subsection id="H0E99C8EB14B84112AA8BA5631CD5A072"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Additional program rules</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Nothing in this section shall limit or otherwise affect an operator’s liability for any attorneys’ fees, medical expenses, or other allowable and unreimbursed expenses awarded by the district director or an administrative law judge that were not paid by the program under this section. Nothing in this section shall limit or otherwise affect the Secretary's authority to use amounts in the fund to pay approved attorneys’ fees and other allowable and unreimbursed expenses in claims for benefits under this title for which a final order awarding compensation has been entered and the operator is unable or refuses to pay.</text></subsection><subsection id="H5EC62133867C48438D96F233B79E11CA"><enum>(e)</enum><header>No recoupment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any payment for attorneys’ fees or medical expenses made by the Secretary under this section shall not be recouped from the claimant or the claimant’s attorney.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section><section id="HAB9ECDD2A42045B19F0ED6C1800229D4"><enum>107.</enum><header>Restoring adequate benefit adjustments for miners suffering from black lung disease and for their dependent family members</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 412(a) of the Black Lung Benefits Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/922">30 U.S.C. 922(a)</external-xref>) is amended by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA307C197E21B4E5590F2376930B2E875" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HED00"><paragraph id="HF04DB2ACF5A040F6B2C27F5403B7BC62" indent="up1"><enum>(1)</enum><text>In the case of total disability of a miner due to pneumoconiosis, the disabled miner shall be paid benefits during the disability—</text><subparagraph commented="no" id="HA5979A2286FF42FB807E3557E8B3D7F6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>for any calendar year preceding January 1, 2022, at a rate equal to 37<fraction>½</fraction> percent of the monthly pay rate for Federal employees in grade GS–2, step 1;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0998ED5EB5C8480898AF3AE8B55B7AB1"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">for the calendar year beginning on January 1, 2022, at a rate of $8,834.01 per year, payable in 12 equal monthly payments; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF87192AAB7094781944B1425B864AE92"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">for each calendar year thereafter, at a rate equal to the product of the rate in effect under this paragraph for the calendar year immediately preceding such calendar year multiplied by the ratio (not less than 1) of—</text><clause id="H4B9B98060C4640CB8D5B89554719A97F"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI–W, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor) for the calendar year immediately preceding such calendar year, to</text></clause><clause id="H5A73F45428F0438B923C35CD1791CD08"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the CPI-W for the second calendar year preceding such calendar year.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section><section id="H117A33B915D04C48A8DE13311444F806"><enum>108.</enum><header>Disclosure of employment and earnings information for Black Lung benefits claims</header><subsection id="H9CB94831901D448382C08E973CB2D292"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Tax return information</header><paragraph id="HE748222198544385940E8ECB84548748"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/26/6103">Section 6103(l)</external-xref> of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H46F70FF397574A5BAED06EB6D76B38FD" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HED00"><paragraph id="HBDF615374A204F3C884AABA9E71F8024"><enum>(23)</enum><header>Disclosure of return information to Department of Labor to carry out Black Lung Benefits Act</header><subparagraph id="H41E3BED34A5349F98AE76C2A5673FBA5"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Commissioner of Social Security shall, on written request with respect to any individual, disclose to officers or employees of the Department of Labor return information from returns with respect to net earnings from self-employment (as defined in section 1402) and wages (as defined in section 3121(a) or 3401(a)) for employment for each employer of such individual.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H43952194D55D4E6EB3DE16C96C7E6AD2"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Restriction on disclosure</header><text>The Commissioner of Social Security shall disclose return information under subparagraph (A) only for purposes of, and the extent necessary in, carrying out the proper administration of the Black Lung Benefits Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/901">30 U.S.C. 901 et seq.</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph><paragraph id="H40D975E239264BBE883F5680112B9F8F"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Conforming amendments</header><text>Section 6103(p)(4) of such Code is amended—</text><subparagraph id="H6785F5A79B9D4133A0971A51B2F9B62D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking <quote>or (22)</quote> and inserting <quote>(22), or (23)</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4FEBC7CCE9B04616B000FC08206790AA"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subparagraph (F)(ii), by striking <quote>or (22),</quote> and inserting <quote>(22), or (23)</quote>.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H6C82F706929945D3B849C8D2187C6E23"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Social security earnings information</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Notwithstanding section 552a of title 5, United States Code, or any other provision of Federal or State law, the Commissioner of Social Security shall make available to the officers and employees of the Department of Labor, upon written request, the Social Security earnings information of living or deceased individuals who are the subject of a claim under the Black Lung Benefits Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/901">30 U.S.C. 901 et seq.</external-xref>), which the Secretary of Labor may require to carry out such Act. Such information shall be made available in electronic form.</text></subsection></section></part><part id="H2A9EFCD8F9D942D9B7DF2FF7BA0FA0DE" style="OLC"><enum>B</enum><header>Reports to improve the administration of benefits under the Black Lung Benefits Act</header><section id="H4C97B90EAC35403488249403F42B0BCB"><enum>121.</enum><header>Strategy to reduce delays in adjudication</header><subsection id="H10B2A7EF3E1B45248E23F933358E086A"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Education and Labor and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives a comprehensive strategy to reduce the backlog of cases pending on such date of enactment before the Office of Administrative Law Judges of the Department of Labor.</text></subsection><subsection id="H6C8AC533B3C34BB2B30EDBE5F65D0909"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Contents of strategy</header><text>The strategy under this section shall provide information relating to—</text><paragraph id="HEC564C81B7D048198BEC3E935942AE12"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the current and targeted pendency for each category of cases before the Office of Administrative Law Judges of the Department of Labor;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H54B37F026816433EADD9C119A6C1833C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the number of administrative law judges, attorney advisors supporting such judges, support staff, and other resources necessary to achieve and maintain the targeted pendency for each category of such cases;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H1DCB90EE29834502B2A5F1CD0ABBC86E"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the necessary resources to improve efficiency and effectiveness, such as equipment for video conferences, training, use of reemployed annuitants, and administrative reforms; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HBC7FFFC23B2C4A92AA50C1246F5BA12D"><enum>(4)</enum><text>with respect to claims filed under the Black Lung Benefits Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/901">30 U.S.C. 901 et seq.</external-xref>), the necessary resources needed to reduce the average pendency of cases to less than 12 months from the date of receipt of the case to the date of disposition of such case.</text></paragraph></subsection></section></part><part id="H88633A938B2C48638EFE14DE939379C5"><enum>C</enum><header>Improvement in the Financial Security of the Black Lung Benefits Disability Trust Fund</header><section id="H7CC601F686954E839F3388AD8D5D8C03"><enum>131.</enum><header>Policies for securing the payment of benefits</header><subsection id="HB44419D67ECC42228647792DFA22F4B6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall publish an interim final rule setting forth the requirements for an operator of a coal mine to qualify as a self-insurer with respect any portion of the operator’s liabilities under the Black Lung Benefits Act, as described in section 423(a)(1) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/933">30 U.S.C. 933(a)(1)</external-xref>). Such rule shall—</text><paragraph id="HC11406AF93DF4626920E4852FB4ABC9F"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">establish criteria, relating to the financial health of the operator (including creditworthiness, long-term enterprise viability, and other liabilities), on which the eligibility of the operator to seek and maintain qualification as a self-insurer shall be determined;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H15004416379543329889FD0DBF2E949B"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">establish procedures to determine on an annual basis (or more frequently, where deemed necessary by the Secretary) the minimum amount of security sufficient to insure current and projected liabilities; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H1E8F430E7680453C86C91B6565AD8B71"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">establish procedures for review by the Secretary of operator appeals of determinations described in paragraphs (1) and (2).</text></paragraph><continuation-text continuation-text-level="subsection">The Secretary shall promulgate a final rule not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act.</continuation-text></subsection><subsection id="H0924D03F4150452581AC00BB2FD9532F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Penalties</header><paragraph id="HFDAA637E61FA4A35A32AAF331EA7DF28"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Section 423(d)(1) of the Black Lung Benefits Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/933">30 U.S.C. 933(d)(1)</external-xref>) is amended—</text><subparagraph id="H53C49C2B56124EB78FDFF37B0C3ABE60"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by striking <quote>$1,000</quote> and inserting <quote>$25,000</quote>;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H512FB1E20CF74446A59F0DAD1A87A48B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by inserting <quote>chief executive officer, chief operating officer, </quote> after the word <quote>president,</quote> each place it appears;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H17ECACF7812646B6BC1D26723EE75EC3"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by striking <quote>and treasurer</quote> each place it appears and inserting <quote>treasurer, and other responsible party</quote>;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H046B643910A74EA0AC8973D10BE6408F"><enum>(D)</enum><text>by striking <quote>for any benefit</quote> and all that follows through <quote>this section.</quote> and inserting </text><quoted-block style="OLC" id="HC1993C414C954138BB55336901A36E31" display-inline="yes-display-inline" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HED00"><text>for—</text><subparagraph id="H5B3B1030F43B44DFA76AB6562BFE9397" indent="up1"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any benefit which may accrue under this title in respect to any disability which may occur to any employee of such corporation while it shall so fail to secure the payment of benefits as required by this section; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H71BEDA26EBD241108A2339179A442897" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in the event of bankruptcy or other permanent abandonment of the obligation to secure the payment of benefits, the actuarial present value of the benefits to be paid by the fund under section 424(b)(1), projected as of the date of failure to secure such benefits, less any security recovered or surrendered, plus interest.</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H81D9F5E2CAAE475A8C556725CECFEBBB" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Other responsible party defined</header><text>Section 402 of the Black Lung Benefits Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/902">30 U.S.C. 902</external-xref>) is amended by inserting at the end the following:</text><quoted-block id="HE964057F86BD44EA8616211D99306A72" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HED00"><subsection id="H51357F0DAE0C4C6087C08D3DA3C25384"><enum>(j)</enum><text>The term <quote>other responsible party</quote> means—</text><paragraph id="H009500A287694C18A4C40EAF0ED1A6E7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>an individual, partnership, joint venture, corporation, mutual company, joint-stock company, trust, estate, unincorporated organization, association, or other enterprise that possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of an operator or employer; or</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H562414A85E674498A5C21D2419E4764A"><enum>(2)</enum><text>any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is under common control with an operator or employer.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection></section></part><enum>II</enum><header>Establishing the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs</header><section commented="no" id="H67BB8915037046E9894EE909791F47D1"><enum>201.</enum><header>Office of Workers' Compensation Programs</header><subsection commented="no" id="HA9BA8DF02C9D47B5BA4636D4B825322F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>There shall be established, in the Department of Labor, an Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (referred to in this section as the <quote>Office</quote>).</text></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="H6E95534F230143ADB862DB1EF8BF88BE"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Director</header><paragraph commented="no" id="H9A826BD1E1694F82A3A35ECA4DA5E085"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Office shall be directed by a Director for the Office of Workers' Compensation (referred to in this section as the <quote>Director</quote>) who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H206574AEF3DC4F1D8F8EE4FE5E515D41"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Duties</header><text>The Director shall carry out all duties carried out by the Director for the Office of Workers' Compensation as of the day before the date of enactment of this Act.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="H6C7A3D85137E412D8DA3D747015260E9"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>The functions of the Office on and after the date of enactment of this Act shall include the functions of the Office on the day before the date of enactment of this Act, including all of its personnel, assets, authorities, and liabilities.</text></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="H344E3B4FE72C47528D1D3098661EE9D7"><enum>(d)</enum><header>References to Bureau of Employees' Compensation</header><text>Reference in any other Federal law, Executive order, reorganization plan, rule, regulation, or delegation of authority, or any document of or relating to the Bureau of Employees' Compensation with regard to functions carried out by the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, shall be deemed to refer to the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.</text></subsection></section><enum>III</enum><header>Additional provisions</header><section commented="no" id="HC15D6D734D0343F4A53DA2DEDB2606E5"><enum>301.</enum><header>Technical and conforming amendments</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Black Lung Benefits Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/901">30 U.S.C. 901 et seq.</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph commented="no" id="H7D235C23710349ABAD6E688E69053036"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in section 401(a) (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/901">30 U.S.C. 901(a)</external-xref>), by inserting <quote>or who were found to be totally disabled by such disease</quote> after <quote>such disease</quote>;</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H574F8DE98E1342C58AAD838A73F3909B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in section 402—</text><subparagraph id="H70C2A6A085C842C8AED72FBF9272ECDA"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA3D6BE71827944829D7916083F1321FD" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HED00"><paragraph id="H01B6B2C6AE26449CAC406AF7C4A94169"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a spouse who is a member of the same household as the miner, or is receiving regular contributions from the miner for support, or whose spouse is a miner who has been ordered by a court to contribute to support, or who meets the requirements of paragraph (1) or (2) of section 216(b) of the Social Security Act or paragraph (1) or (2) of section 216(f) of such Act. An individual is the <term>spouse</term> of a miner when such individual is legally married to the miner under the laws of the State where the marriage was celebrated. The term <term>spouse</term> also includes a <quote>divorced wife</quote> or <quote>divorced husband</quote>, as such terms are defined in paragraph (1) or (4) of section 216(d) of such Act, who is receiving at least one-half of his or her support, as determined in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary, from the miner, or is receiving substantial contributions from the miner (pursuant to a written agreement), or there is in effect a court order for substantial contributions to the spouse’s support from such miner.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H044033256F194D1187A14FCE57AE7DBC"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HAA06BB50573040D698C26702A5282706" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HED00"><subsection id="H7AAB9899759D4E13BA6DAA63D8A6A500"><enum>(e)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>surviving spouse</term> includes the spouse living with or dependent for support on the miner at the time of the miner’s death, or living apart for reasonable cause or because of the miner’s desertion, or who meets the requirements of subparagraph (A), (B), (C), (D), or (E) of section 216(c)(1) of the Social Security Act, subparagraph (A), (B), (C), (D), or (E) of section 216(g)(1) of such Act, or section 216(k) of such Act, who is not married. An individual is the <quote>surviving spouse</quote> of a miner when legally married at the time of the miner’s death under the laws of the State where the marriage was celebrated. Such term also includes a <quote>surviving divorced wife</quote> or <quote>surviving divorced husband</quote>, as such terms are defined in paragraph (2) or (5) of section 216(d) of such Act who for the month preceding the month in which the miner died, was receiving at least one-half of his or her support, as determined in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary, from the miner, or was receiving substantial contributions from the miner (pursuant to a written agreement) or there was in effect a court order for substantial contributions to the spouse’s support from the miner at the time of the miner’s death.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H09DC92A1E90549F8A7333432ADA9DDB8"><enum>(C)</enum><text>in subsection (g)—</text><clause id="HDE4CBD59CA3F40198B77FC0275D655B7"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in paragraph (2)(B)(ii), by striking <quote>he ceased</quote> and inserting <quote>the individual ceased</quote>; and</text></clause><clause id="HB53AB5EFAE374CC6B41E71A16B939BC5"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in the matter following paragraph (2)(C), by striking <quote>widow</quote> each place it appears and inserting <quote>surviving spouse</quote>;</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H534C18C8D8434AEFB790F6960CF3F4C2"><enum>(D)</enum><text>in subsection (h), by striking <quote>Internal Revenue Code of 1954</quote> and inserting <quote>Internal Revenue Code of 1986</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H70657EC4C50C4E8E95B479C4600CC860"><enum>(E)</enum><text>in subsection (i), by striking <quote>Internal Revenue Code of 1954</quote> and inserting <quote>Internal Revenue Code of 1986</quote>;</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HCC7DBBEE2DD24CC9B136C5B495F14EDE"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in section 411 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/921">30 U.S.C. 921</external-xref>)—</text><subparagraph id="HA8E48E1DFA6040338A0B2914F72F0223"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC671F08EF6F0431CB87E0FCCC8B0275D" style="traditional" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HED00"><subsection id="HEABC7AC811A9415A8DA3FE5C35FF3921"><enum>(a)</enum><text>The Secretary shall, in accordance with the provisions of this title, and the regulations promulgated by the Secretary under this title, make payments of benefits in respect of—</text><paragraph id="HB569D01664DE49A49E772B9CF4EE13EA"><enum>(1)</enum><text>total disability of any miner due to pneumoconiosis;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H9BBD5983BEFE49C79D12502D55837076"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the death of any miner whose death was due to pneumoconiosis;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H8774029C992B425998149E4B0F102FBB"><enum>(3)</enum><text>total disability of any miner at the time of the miner’s death with respect to a claim filed under part C prior to January 1, 1982;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HEADD991F9B8B45DC9EE5761688701574"><enum>(4)</enum><text>survivors’ benefits for any survivor’s claim filed after January 1, 2005, that is pending on or after March 23, 2010, where the miner is found entitled to receive benefits on a claim filed under part C; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H4B8DE43218BB4B0EA71A65A35EEAA0BA"><enum>(5)</enum><text>survivors’ benefits where the miner is found entitled to receive benefits on a claim filed under part C before January 1, 1982.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1B99BDB31DFE4F69BF8A0F8EB05A2E75"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subsection (c)—</text><clause id="HE36C51D299004326AA1AB75F0C7E80A4"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in paragraph (1), by striking <quote>his pneumoconiosis</quote> and inserting <quote>the miner’s pneumoconiosis</quote>; and</text></clause><clause id="HB67DD2355CD1483FB30DB26E8D27B990"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in paragraph (2), by striking <quote>his death</quote> and inserting <quote>the miner’s death</quote>;</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HF9BD2917EF884F798EAEBCCC865786E4"><enum>(4)</enum><text>in section 412 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/922">30 U.S.C. 922</external-xref>)—</text><subparagraph id="H9CEF04F9FB154E70A968E2D2036A6DC4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subsection (a)—</text><clause id="H92276081F3974702AA6563740FAD489B"><enum>(i)</enum><text>by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HEE18522B5E49459A809AD8C7632AB495" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HED00"><paragraph id="H0B178D5FA74F4DF6A7890E3AC4D3BA65" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>In the case of a surviving spouse—</text><subparagraph id="H503B42557ABA4348BF6C36E4ACD675A7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>of a miner whose death is due to pneumoconiosis;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H2C6C8A29C847441CAF3D455A1BBE0FA7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in a claim filed after January 1, 2005, and that is pending on or after March 23, 2010, of a miner who is found entitled to receive benefits on a claim filed under part C;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HC207295C5D604C2D90EFF0C9A7303D88"><enum>(C)</enum><text>of a miner who is found entitled to receive benefits on a claim filed under part C before January 1, 1982; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="HEACB4841C06C46B4B105A5392658D758"><enum>(D)</enum><text>in a claim filed under part C before January 1, 1982, of a miner who was totally disabled by pneumoconiosis at the time of the miner’s death,</text></subparagraph></paragraph><quoted-block-continuation-text quoted-block-continuation-text-level="subsection">benefits shall be paid to the miner’s surviving spouse at the rate the deceased miner would receive such benefits if he were totally disabled.</quoted-block-continuation-text><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></clause><clause id="H672BA99B53844E8BA5D3F71BE227B98E"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in paragraph (3)—</text><subclause id="HC59AE4F3C6114D259ACF8BB07FC3BC7B"><enum>(I)</enum><text>by striking <quote>(3) In the case</quote> and all that follows through <quote>section 411(c)</quote> and inserting the following: <quote>(3)(A) In the case of the child or children of a miner described in subparagraph (B)</quote>;</text></subclause><subclause id="H03294EACCCBF448C890326459D70E789"><enum>(II)</enum><text>by striking <quote>he</quote> each place it appears and inserting <quote>the child</quote>;</text></subclause><subclause id="H7BC7B3AA11CB4F42A9E15EE704C6503A"><enum>(III)</enum><text>by striking <quote>widow</quote> each place it appears and inserting <quote>surviving spouse</quote>; and</text></subclause><subclause id="H6DB7BBD3B05747CA91A5A22C38D86C65"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF5422C11200D4198B07DD5E493B2C8DD" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HED00"><subparagraph id="H9D19DEDD67FF4F51A1C2E2DCF94002EF" indent="up2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Subparagraph (A) shall apply in the case of any child or children—</text><clause id="HFCA56CC712FC4E2EA5D5A5789646FEC6"><enum>(i)</enum><text>of a miner whose death is due to pneumoconiosis;</text></clause><clause id="HC1E0682799774D42ADD72ADE26D730B0"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in a claim filed after January 1, 2005, that is pending on or after March 23, 2010, of a miner who is found entitled to receive benefits on a claim filed under part C;</text></clause><clause id="H247FC6C810404326A6482ED7D4994AF1"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>of a miner who is found entitled to receive benefits on a claim filed under part C before January 1, 1982;</text></clause><clause id="H1A7A2D59DC864874B366527C715658AA"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>in a claim filed under part C before January 1, 1982, of a miner who was totally disabled by pneumoconiosis at the time of the miner’s death;</text></clause><clause id="H3C17D4AE97A74368A00FDF81BED64491"><enum>(v)</enum><text>of a surviving spouse who is found entitled to receive benefits under this part at the time of the surviving spouse’s death; or</text></clause><clause id="H66ADD9DF07D3449AAF3EB5F508B62D40"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>entitled to the payment of benefits under paragraph (5) of section 411(c).</text></clause></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subclause></clause><clause id="H2C012A533295428A8586C56DC7F7B7E6"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>in paragraph (5)—</text><subclause id="HE466E23AF873409BA98F706245640A23"><enum>(I)</enum><text>by striking the first sentence and inserting the following: <quote>In the case of the dependent parent or parents of a miner who is not survived at the time of death by a surviving spouse or a child and (i) whose death is due to pneumoconiosis, (ii) in a claim filed after January 1, 2005, that is pending on or after March 23, 2010, who is found entitled to receive benefits on a claim filed under part C, (iii) who is found entitled to receive benefits on a claim filed under part C before January 1, 1982, or (iv) in a claim filed under part C before January 1, 1982, who was totally disabled by pneumoconiosis at the time of the miner’s death; in the case of the dependent surviving brother(s) or sister(s) of such a miner who is not survived at the time of the miner’s death by a surviving spouse, child, or parent; in the case of the dependent parent or parents of a miner (who is not survived at the time of the miner’s death by a surviving spouse or child) who are entitled to the payment of benefits under paragraph (5) of section 411(c); or in the case of the dependent surviving brother(s) or sister(s) of a miner (who is not survived at the time of the miner’s death by a surviving spouse, child, or parent) who are entitled to the payment of benefits under paragraph (5) of section 411(c), benefits shall be paid under this part to such parent(s), or to such brother(s), or sister(s), at the rate specified in paragraph (3) (as if such parent(s) or such brother(s) or sister(s), were the children of such miner).</quote>; and</text></subclause><subclause id="HD82694549BC04B9B98CC3B31869EC0AC"><enum>(II)</enum><text>in the fourth sentence—</text><item id="H735A3559B7CD402F9076FEBA2BF19E70"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>by striking <quote>brother only if he</quote> and inserting <quote>brother or sister only if the brother or sister</quote>; and</text></item><item id="H74957D736CB34BD393DE1BD7DE291FFD"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>by striking <quote>before he ceased</quote> and inserting <quote>before the brother or sister ceased</quote>; and</text></item></subclause></clause><clause id="H7644258C0E514B4385A8CCDEB85743EE"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>in paragraph (6), by striking <quote>prescribed by him</quote> and inserting <quote>prescribed by such Secretary</quote>;</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB70F6742ABD644F9B6B50646E38ACC58"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subsection (b)—</text><clause id="HDFF5452213E24554AC903D40510AC7F4"><enum>(i)</enum><text>by striking <quote>his</quote> each place it appears and inserting <quote>such miner’s</quote>; and</text></clause><clause id="HFEDEE27EC1754DDA8728347069EBE42C"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>by striking <quote>widow</quote> each place it appears and inserting <quote>surviving spouse</quote>; and</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H37E38BC740334F49B10329780850B00E"><enum>(C)</enum><text>in subsection (c), by striking <quote>Internal Revenue Code of 1954</quote> and inserting <quote>Internal Revenue Code of 1986</quote>;</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H85977FE4FA64405CAADB891272283B59"><enum>(5)</enum><text>in section 413 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/923">30 U.S.C. 923</external-xref>)—</text><subparagraph id="HAD5D6D23ABCC43328102AB905CFFCB64"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subsection (b)—</text><clause id="H31BD2F5AE5ED4CFD8E8FD84263465C50"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in the second sentence, by striking <quote>his wife’s affidavits</quote> and inserting <quote>affidavits of the miner’s spouse</quote>;</text></clause><clause id="H3D890DBC12E94D95B02AE753336BFF08"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in the ninth sentence, by striking <quote>widow</quote> and inserting <quote>surviving spouse</quote>; and</text></clause><clause id="HF15C23817C4D41D68BFAD3A7D890A4B4"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>by striking the last sentence; and</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H6F7AE908E9E04A938BF2F0B854DCBE7E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subsection (c), by striking <quote>his claim</quote> and inserting <quote>the claim</quote>;</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0921C6840EBF44FC804CADFD2CA293B4"><enum>(6)</enum><text>in section 414 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/924">30 U.S.C. 924</external-xref>)—</text><subparagraph id="H9C5B2F31EEB44347901B45C2244B5ACD"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subsection (a)—</text><clause id="H185D281260264AC3AFAD57DC8C2351F6"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in paragraph (1), by striking <quote>widow, within six months after the death of her husband</quote> and inserting <quote>surviving spouse, within six months after the death of the miner</quote>; and</text></clause><clause id="HB5086E8979CC434AB9E232829E3EC7F4"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in paragraph (2)(C), by striking <quote>his</quote> and inserting <quote>the child’s</quote>; and</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H782A4487CBDF4410A6CC583EBB77D702"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subsection (e)—</text><clause id="HF6E40DEEB350482F888931A4938A16D4"><enum>(i)</enum><text>by striking <quote>widow</quote> and inserting <quote>surviving spouse</quote>; and</text></clause><clause id="H416CBA27D3E542268A950647F4C82C97"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>by striking <quote>his death</quote> and inserting <quote>the miner’s death</quote>;</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H8149732AA3674C72AF17272C9FBDC4FA"><enum>(7)</enum><text>in section 415(a) (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/925">30 U.S.C. 925(a)</external-xref>)—</text><subparagraph id="HFA59462A88724820AC4DA894FA5ED472"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in paragraph (1), by striking <quote>Internal Revenue Code of 1954</quote> and inserting <quote>Internal Revenue Code of 1986</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4E2A2A49BF21489E85FAED6C0997E6FC"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in paragraph (2)—</text><clause id="HD09A107826B8443A855588A0857635F4"><enum>(i)</enum><text>by striking <quote>he</quote> and inserting <quote>such Secretary</quote>; and</text></clause><clause id="H2A5859E23EFF471CA3B600A5DF910C30"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>by striking <quote>him</quote> and inserting <quote>such Secretary</quote>;</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H23761160C3D448A99E2697CDAFAB50A0"><enum>(8)</enum><text>in section 421 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/931">30 U.S.C. 931</external-xref>)—</text><subparagraph id="H49024EC205EB4511B6474EFA98711E48"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subsection (a), by striking <quote>widows</quote> and inserting <quote>spouses</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1609FEAA9F1E44718546294F9B197413"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subsection (b)(2)—</text><clause id="HC48CD2DF414D41FFB513C5F294463ED3"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking <quote>he</quote> and inserting <quote>such Secretary</quote>; and</text></clause><clause id="H5F70B01FAB8449D09B7AC45F381ECEE9"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in subparagraph (F), by striking <quote>promulgated by him</quote> and inserting <quote>promulgated by such Secretary</quote>;</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H31D4CF6112AC40A1893C48F7A997E565"><enum>(9)</enum><text>in section 422 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/932">30 U.S.C. 932</external-xref>)—</text><subparagraph id="HE4BE8E1458F442F989BBC6ED2D695858"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subsection (a)—</text><clause id="H3C924B815DF448118DCD019785A0DBB5"><enum>(i)</enum><text>by striking <quote>Internal Revenue Code of 1954</quote> and inserting <quote>Internal Revenue Code of 1986</quote>; and</text></clause><clause id="H147A02A8D4F54B0FA0491B1774BE8EC5"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>by striking <quote>he</quote> and inserting <quote>such Secretary</quote>;</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HC7B443E1A3A84A7199ABE36FB7F18A8C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subsection (i)(4), by striking <quote>Internal Revenue Code of 1954</quote> and inserting <quote>Internal Revenue Code of 1986</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7CDF2ACB4EA14CCA950275DDEE4876A9"><enum>(C)</enum><text>in subsection (j), by striking <quote>Internal Revenue Code of 1954</quote> each place it appears and inserting <quote>Internal Revenue Code of 1986</quote>;</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H08B539D3072A4A09A5567AFEE7C49880"><enum>(10)</enum><text>in section 423(a) (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/933">30 U.S.C. 933(a)</external-xref>), by striking <quote>he</quote> and inserting <quote>such operator</quote>;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H28186DB226A449DA86DF10DAF98E729E"><enum>(11)</enum><text>in section 424(b) (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/934">30 U.S.C. 934(b)</external-xref>)—</text><subparagraph id="H8A5B9C7679BD47EFAE9A248E1D8F986C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in the matter following subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1), by striking <quote>him</quote> and inserting <quote>such operator</quote>;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDF2D6F7C041C439C902DA115A82FEDCA"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in paragraph (3), by striking <quote>Internal Revenue Code of 1954</quote> each place it appears and inserting <quote>Internal Revenue Code of 1986</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HCEAAEB00D27C4396AA7C844F110EB939"><enum>(C)</enum><text>in paragraph (5), by striking <quote>Internal Revenue Code of 1954</quote> and inserting <quote>Internal Revenue Code of 1986</quote>;</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H24E6F10B32264C83803D3A3AEEC51ED0"><enum>(12)</enum><text>in section 428 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/938">30 U.S.C. 938</external-xref>)—</text><subparagraph id="H8E222343DFFA4317BEED5703948909AF"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subsection (a), by striking <quote>him</quote> and inserting <quote>such operator</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H8C23662F05A04D4D8273CFD20E8C39B3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subsection (b)—</text><clause id="HFD03DA50C1FB4D15B2102943540C4E70"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in the first sentence, by striking <quote>he</quote> and inserting <quote>the miner</quote>;</text></clause><clause id="H064E3BCCCD334FF3B50BAE8666478556"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in the third sentence, by striking <quote>he</quote> and inserting <quote>the Secretary</quote>;</text></clause><clause id="H43B8B65663BD47C38BAB2830F593B555"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>in the ninth sentence—</text><subclause id="HAD268FF049D642E2B130B91ED77D51C8"><enum>(I)</enum><text>by striking <quote>he</quote> each place it appears and inserting <quote>the Secretary</quote>; and</text></subclause><subclause id="H6068F98AEF564A8BB37850A8438B411A"><enum>(II)</enum><text>by striking <quote>his</quote> and inserting <quote>the miner’s</quote>; and</text></subclause></clause><clause id="H6715F8970927416A83D08A51BAB2AAE5"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>in the tenth sentence, by striking <quote>he</quote> each place it appears and inserting <quote>the Secretary</quote>; and</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HE71A95FF984347E9913B02AB82D0F04F"><enum>(13)</enum><text>in section 430 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/940">30 U.S.C. 940</external-xref>)—</text><subparagraph id="H85351342A211406C9889129DCEDBA10C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by striking <quote>1977 and</quote> and inserting <quote>1977,</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H6C07EDE7566E4E4B9453BB07A1EDE587"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking <quote>1981</quote> and inserting <quote>1981, and the <short-title>Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2022</short-title>, and any amendments made after the date of enactment of such Act,</quote>.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></section><section id="HD26F2C0AA299485B961257CCBD997D18"><enum>302.</enum><header>Severability</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">If any provision of this Act or any amendment made by this Act, or the application of a provision of this Act or an amendment made by this Act to any person or circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act, and the application of the provisions to any person or circumstance, shall not be affected by the holding.</text></section>December 23, 2022 Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed