Summary:
Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2014 - Amends the Black Lung Benefits Act to revise requirements with regard to miners' claims for pneumoconiosis (black lung) benefits.

Requires a mine operator to deliver within 21 days a complete copy of the examining physician's report to any miner required to submit to a medical examination regarding his or her respiratory or pulmonary condition.

Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish an attorneys' fee payment program to pay attorneys' fees of up to $4,500 to the attorneys of prevailing parties on a qualifying black lung benefit claim.

Establishes an irrebuttable presumption that a miner is totally disabled due to black lung disease, that the miner's death was due to black lung, or that at the time of death the miner was totally disabled by black lung disease if a chest radiograph, biopsy, autopsy, or other medically accepted test or procedure has diagnosed such miner with complicated black lung or progressive massive fibrosis.

Allows a party to rebut this presumption only in cases where:

 the miner was employed for 15 years or more in one or more coal mines (including surface mines), there is a negative chest radiograph, other evidence demonstrates the existence of a totally disabling respiratory or pulmonary impairment, but no part of the miner's respiratory or pulmonary impairment was caused by black lung disease. Revises requirements for the payment of benefits to miners (including their dependents) totally disabled by black lung disease.

Authorizes black lung clinics to use a portion of their federal funding to assist miners, surviving spouses, dependents, and other family members in the filing of black lung benefit claims.

Prohibits any claimant, physician, operator, duly authorized agent of such operator, or employee of an insurance carrier, subject to certain civil and criminal penalties, from:

 knowingly and willfully making a false statement or misrepresentation in obtaining or denying benefits, or threatening or knowingly misleading anyone participating in a proceeding regarding such benefits. Requires the Secretary, upon request, to give a claimant the opportunity to substantiate a claim for benefits through a complete pulmonary evaluation of the miner that includes an initial qualified physician's report and, if certain conditions are met, any supplemental medical evidence developed after the report.

Requires the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to establish in NIOSH a pilot program to establish B Reader Panels to assure accurate International Labor Organization (ILO) classifications for chest radiographs in black lung disease cases where there is a factual dispute regarding a diagnosis of complicated black lung or progressive massive fibrosis.

Directs the Secretary, in coordination with NIOSH, to establish a program to educate district directors, claims examiners, administrative law judges and supporting attorney advisors, and Benefits Review Board members about medical evidence relevant to black lung benefit claims.

Revises black lung eligibility requirements to replace the terms "wife" and "widow" with "spouse" and "surviving spouse."

Allows a covered miner or survivor to file a claim for black lung benefits within one year after enactment of this Act if the claim was been denied before enactment of this Act. Requires adjudication of the claim on its merits and excludes consideration of any negative chest radiograph for simple black lung disease, complicated black lung disease, or progressive massive fibrosis.

Directs the Secretary to report to Congress a strategy to reduce the backlog of black lung cases pending before the Office of Administrative Law Judges of the Department of Labor.

Directs the General Accountability Office (GAO) to report to Congress on any barriers to health care faced by coal miners with black lung disease.

Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to direct the Secretary to conduct a retrospective study evaluating data collected using continuous dust monitors to determine whether to lower the applicable standard for respirable dust concentration for miners, among other possible actions.

Establishes in the Department of Labor an Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) (codifying the existing establishment of OWCP in the Department of Labor.)

black lung benefits improvement act amends black lung benefits act revise requirements regard miners claims pneumoconiosis black lung benefits requires operator deliver days complete copy examining physician report miner required submit medical examination respiratory pulmonary condition directs secretary labor establish attorneys fee payment program pay attorneys fees attorneys prevailing parties qualifying black lung benefit claim establishes presumption miner totally disabled black lung disease miner death black lung time death miner totally disabled black lung disease chest medically accepted test procedure diagnosed miner black lung progressive fibrosis allows party rebut presumption cases miner employed years coal mines including surface mines negative chest evidence demonstrates existence totally disabling respiratory pulmonary impairment miner respiratory pulmonary impairment caused black lung disease revises requirements payment benefits miners including dependents totally disabled black lung disease authorizes black lung clinics use portion federal funding assist miners surviving spouses dependents family members filing black lung benefit claims prohibits claimant physician operator duly authorized agent operator employee insurance carrier subject certain civil criminal penalties knowingly willfully making false statement misrepresentation obtaining denying benefits threatening knowingly misleading participating proceeding benefits requires secretary request claimant opportunity substantiate claim benefits complete pulmonary evaluation miner includes initial qualified physician report certain conditions met supplemental medical evidence developed report requires director national_institute_for_occupational_safety_and_health niosh establish niosh pilot program establish reader panels assure accurate classifications chest black lung disease cases factual dispute diagnosis black lung progressive fibrosis directs secretary coordination niosh establish program educate district directors claims examiners administrative law judges supporting attorney advisors members medical evidence relevant black lung benefit claims revises black lung eligibility requirements replace terms wife widow spouse surviving spouse allows covered miner survivor file claim black lung benefits year enactment act claim denied enactment act requires adjudication claim merits excludes consideration negative chest simple black lung disease black lung disease progressive fibrosis directs secretary report congress strategy reduce backlog black lung cases pending directs general_accountability_office gao report congress barriers health care faced coal miners black lung disease amends federal_mine_safety_and_health_act direct secretary conduct retrospective study evaluating data collected continuous dust monitors determine lower applicable standard respirable dust concentration miners possible actions establishes existing establishment department_of_labor


Summary:
Coal Accountability and Retired Employee Act of 2013 or CARE Act - Amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to transfer specified excess funds derived from coal mine operator-paid reclamation fees to the trustees of the 1974 United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) Pension Plan for use solely to pay pension benefits required under such Plan.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise 1992 UMWA Benefit Plan eligibility requirements.

Makes eligible for health benefits from the 1992 UMWA Benefit Plan an individual who would be eligible to receive benefits from the 1974 UMWA Benefit Plan (with a specified exception) following a bankruptcy or other insolvency proceeding of a coal mine operator, but who does not receive from that operator or any related person health benefits at least equal to those received under the Multiemployer Health Benefit Plan of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.

Prescribes a special rule to state that employer contributions to an employees' trust or annuity benefit plan providing supplemental benefits solely to participants in a pension plan are neither deductible nor nondeductible as such from the employer's gross income. Subjects such contributions, on the other hand, to the requirements for deduction as an allowable trade or business expense.

Treats a trust holding the assets of such a pension benefit plan as a tax-exempt organization.

Excludes from wages any payments made to, or on behalf of, an employee or his or her beneficiary under such a plan.

coal accountability retired employee act care act amends surface mining control reclamation act transfer specified excess funds derived coal operator paid reclamation fees trustees united_mine_workers_of_america umwa pension plan use solely pay pension benefits required plan amends internal revenue code revise umwa benefit plan eligibility requirements makes eligible health benefits umwa benefit plan individual eligible receive benefits umwa benefit plan specified exception following bankruptcy insolvency proceeding coal operator receive operator related person health benefits equal received multiemployer_health_benefit_plan surface mining control reclamation act prescribes special rule state employer contributions employees trust annuity benefit plan providing supplemental benefits solely participants pension plan deductible nondeductible employer gross income subjects contributions hand requirements deduction allowable trade business expense treats trust holding assets pension benefit plan tax exempt organization excludes wages payments behalf employee beneficiary plan


Summary:
Protecting America's Workers Act - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) to expand its coverage to federal, state, and local government employees.

Authorizes the Secretary of Labor, under specified conditions, to cede OSHA jurisdiction to another federal agency with respect to certain occupational standards or regulations for such agency's employees. Declares OSHA inapplicable to working conditions covered by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.

Increases protections for whistle blowers under OSHA.

Prescribes requirements relating to: (1) a employer's duty to furnish a place of employment free from recognized hazards causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to any individual (not just an employer's employee) performing work there; (2) the posting of employee rights; (3) employer reporting of employee work-related deaths or hospitalizations; (4) a prohibition against employers adopting or implementing policies or practices that discourage or discriminate against employee reporting of work-related injuries or illnesses; (5) a prohibition against the loss of wages or employee benefits due to an employee participating in a workplace inspection; (6) investigations of incidents resulting in death or the hospitalization of two or more employees which occur in a place of employment; and (7) a prohibition against the issuing, modifying, or settling of unclassified citations for occupational health and safety standard violations.

Directs the Secretary to revise federal regulations concerning the recording and reporting of occupational injuries and illnesses occurring on a worksite to require site-controlling employers to keep a site log for recordable injuries and illnesses of all employees, including employees of the site-controlling employer or others (including independent contractors) performing work there. Defines "site-controlling employer" as one with primary control over a worksite at which employees of more than one employer work.

Continues requirements relating to: (1) the rights of an employee (including a former employee or family member in lieu of an employee) who has sustained a work-related injury or illness that is the subject of an inspection or investigation; (2) an employer's right to contest citations and penalties; and (3) periods permitted for an employer to correct serious, willful, or repeated violations pending an employer's contest to a citation and procedures for stays of the time period for abatement of those violations.

Increases civil and criminal penalties for certain OSHA violators.

States that pre-final order interest on any penalties owed shall begin to accrue on the date a party contests a citation, at an interest rate calculated at the current underpayment rate.

Prescribes requirements for the Secretary's evaluation of state occupational safety and health plans as well as workplace health hazard evaluations by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Requires a state that has an approved plan for the development and enforcement of occupational safety and health standards to amend its plan to conform to the requirements of this Act within 12 months after enactment of this Act.

protecting_america workers act amends occupational_safety_and_health_act osha expand coverage federal state local government employees authorizes secretary labor specified conditions cede osha jurisdiction federal agency respect certain occupational standards regulations agency employees declares osha inapplicable working conditions covered federal_mine_safety_and_health_act increases protections whistle blowers osha prescribes requirements relating employer duty furnish place employment free recognized hazards causing likely cause death physical harm individual employer employee performing work posting employee rights employer reporting employee work related deaths hospitalizations prohibition employers adopting implementing policies practices discourage discriminate employee reporting work related injuries illnesses prohibition loss wages employee benefits employee participating workplace inspection investigations incidents resulting death hospitalization employees occur place employment prohibition issuing modifying settling unclassified citations occupational health safety standard violations directs secretary revise federal regulations concerning recording reporting occupational injuries illnesses occurring worksite require site controlling employers site log recordable injuries illnesses employees including employees site controlling employer including independent contractors performing work defines site controlling employer primary control worksite employees employer work continues requirements relating rights employee including employee family member lieu employee sustained work related injury illness subject inspection investigation employer right contest citations penalties periods permitted employer correct willful repeated violations pending employer contest citation procedures stays time period abatement violations increases civil criminal penalties certain osha violators states pre final order interest penalties owed shall begin accrue date party contests citation interest rate calculated current underpayment rate prescribes requirements secretary evaluation state occupational safety health plans workplace health hazard evaluations national_institute_for_occupational_safety_and_health niosh requires state approved plan development enforcement occupational safety health standards amend plan conform requirements act months enactment act


Summary:
Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments of 2013 - Amends the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to extend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Trust Fund until 19 years after enactment of this Act.

Prescribes additional periods of required presence in an affected area during atmospheric nuclear testing for individuals filing leukemia or specified disease claims. Increases the amount of compensation an individual filing a claim may receive to $150,000.

Expands "affected area" to include Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and New Mexico, as well as any county in Arizona, Nevada, or Utah.

Extends to December 31, 1990, the period during which an individual employed at any time in a uranium mine or uranium mill is made eligible to receive compensation for a disease claim due to radiation exposure. Makes a core driller eligible to receive compensation upon filing of a disease claim.

Makes miners, core drillers, and ore transporters who suffer renal cancer or any other chronic renal disease, including nephritis and kidney tubal tissue injury, eligible for compensation due to exposure to radiation while on the job.

Requires the Attorney General to accept written affidavits meeting specified requirements regarding employment history, physical presence in an affected area, or participation at a nuclear testing site in determining the eligibility of claimants.

Extends until 19 years after enactment of this Act the statute of limitations for the filing of such claims.

Increases from 2% to 10% of the payment received by a claimant the maximum amount of attorneys fees that can be charged for the filing of an initial claim.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, to establish a program of grants to institutions of higher education to study the epidemiological impacts of uranium mining and milling among non-occupationally exposed individuals, including family members of uranium miners and millers.

Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to include as a member of the Special Exposure Cohort entitled to compensation with respect to chronic beryllium disease under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program any Department of Energy (DOE) employee or contractor who contracted cancer after beginning employment between January 1, 1942, and December 31, 1990, in a uranium mine or mill located in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Wyoming, South Dakota, Washington, Utah, Idaho, North Dakota, Oregon, Texas, or any other state the Attorney General includes.

radiation exposure compensation act amendments amends radiation exposure compensation act extend radiation_exposure_compensation_trust_fund years enactment act prescribes additional periods required presence affected area atmospheric nuclear testing individuals filing leukemia specified disease claims increases compensation individual filing claim receive expands affected area include colorado idaho montana new_mexico county arizona nevada utah extends december period individual employed time uranium uranium mill eligible receive compensation disease claim radiation exposure makes core driller eligible receive compensation filing disease claim makes miners core drillers ore transporters suffer renal cancer chronic renal disease including nephritis kidney tubal tissue injury eligible compensation exposure radiation job requires attorney general accept written affidavits meeting specified requirements employment history physical presence affected area participation nuclear testing site determining eligibility claimants extends years enactment act statute limitations filing claims increases payment received claimant maximum attorneys fees charged filing initial claim directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs national_institute_of_environmental_health_sciences establish program grants institutions higher education study epidemiological impacts uranium mining milling non occupationally exposed individuals including family members uranium miners millers amends energy_employees_occupational_illness_compensation_program_act include member special_exposure_cohort entitled compensation respect chronic beryllium disease energy_employees_occupational_illness_compensation_program department_of_energy doe employee contractor contracted cancer beginning employment january december uranium mill located colorado new_mexico arizona wyoming south_dakota washington utah idaho north_dakota oregon texas state attorney general includes


Summary:
Robert C. Byrd Mine and Workplace Safety and Health Act of 2013 - Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to require the Secretary of Labor (Secretary), in conducting health and safety related accident investigations in coal or other mines, to: (1) determine why an accident occurred and whether there were violations of law, mandatory health and safety standards, or other requirements; (2) refer evidence of conduct that may constitute a violation of federal criminal law to the Attorney General; and (3) make recommendations to avoid any recurrence.

Requires an independent accident investigation by an independent Panel appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) for any accident: (1) involving three or more deaths, or (2) whose severity or scale merits an independent investigation.

Requires the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), at the request of a majority of the Panel, or upon his or her own initiative, to issue subpoenas for the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of relevant papers, books, and documents, and to administer oaths with respect to an investigation. Authorizes the Director, the Panel, members of either staff, or attorneys representing one or the other to question any individual privately.

Authorizes: (1) the Secretary's representatives and attorneys also to question any individual privately during an inspection or investigation; and (2) any individual willing to speak with or provide a statement to such representatives or attorneys to do so without the presence, involvement, or knowledge of the mine operator or mine operator's agents or attorneys.

Allows the closest relative of a miner who is entrapped, disabled, killed, or otherwise prevented by an accident to designate a representative for the miner to participate in a mine inspection. Requires mine inspections to be conducted during various shifts and days of the week when miners are normally present. Grants a representative of miners the right to participate in accident investigations initiated by the Secretary, including the right to participate in investigative interviews and to review all relevant papers, books, documents and records, unless excluded to avoid interference with or adverse impact upon a pending criminal investigation.

Requires the Secretary, after determining that a mine operator has not properly maintained a record of all mine violations, to make, via an authorized representative, at least one spot inspection of the mine every 15 working days, and at irregular intervals, during the 3-month period following that determination.

Prohibits an attorney from representing both a mine operator and miner during an inspection, investigation, or litigation, unless such miner knowingly waives all possible conflicts of interest.

Requires the Secretary to establish a publicly available electronic database containing the safety records of each mine.

Requires the Secretary's authorized representative, when such actions would improve mine conditions, to request a meeting with the appropriate state-level regulator to share the Secretary's concerns about a mine identified as having a significant or persistent safety or health problem. Authorizes the Secretary and the state-level regulator to develop a joint plan to correct identified problems.

Makes the criteria and requirements contained in federal regulations the criteria for determining when a pattern of violations of mandatory health or safety standards exists under the Act.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) revoke the approval of mine operator plans or programs based on certain criteria; and (2) order withdrawal of all persons from a mine, and prohibit them from entering it, until the operator submits and the Secretary approves a new plan.

Revises civil and criminal penalties and related administrative procedures.

Prescribes a civil penalty for: (1) any unapproved change to a coal mine ventilation system or ventilation control which is required by a ventilation plan, safety standard, or order; (2) a violation of a mandatory health and safety standard requiring rock dusting in a coal mine; (3) a violation of the prohibition against providing advance notice of an inspection; (4) a violation of a mandatory health and safety standard requiring examinations of work areas in an underground coal mine; or (5) failure to keep required mine records.

Revises certain miner protections against discrimination. Prohibits discriminating against a miner or other employee of a mine operator for refusing to perform duties out of a good-faith and reasonable belief that performing such duties would pose a safety or health hazard.

Entitles a miner to full compensation by a mine operator at the regular rate of pay for the entire period for which the miner is idled because of a Secretary's withdrawal order. (Under current law, miners are entitled to full compensation only for the balance of their shift, and up to four hours of the next working shift if an order is not terminated beforehand.)

Requires each underground coal mine operator to implement a communication program to ensure that each miner entering a mine is made aware, at the start of a shift, of current mine conditions.

Prescribes additional requirements for the monitoring of coal dust, rock dust, and other dust in underground mines.

Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to require each operator of an underground coal mine to install atmospheric monitoring systems.

Directs the Secretary to issue regulations to require: (1) atmospheric monitoring and recording devices be incorporated in mining equipment to detect methane, oxygen, carbon monoxide, and coal dust levels in a mine; and (2) mining equipment and other mobile equipment incorporate proximity detectors.

Revises mine operator health and safety training program requirements. Increases from 8 to 9 the minimum number of hours of refresher training all miners must receive at least once every 12 months, including 1 hour of training on miners statutory rights and responsibilities.

Authorizes the Secretary to issue an order requiring a mine operator to provide additional training to miners if a serious or fatal accident has occurred at a mine or it has experienced above-average accident and injury rates, citations, or withdrawal orders.

Prescribes additional requirements for each miner to receive quarterly training on the use of self-rescue devices.

Amends the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 to require the Secretary to give special emphasis in the award of competitive grants for education and training (Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants) to programs and materials that provide underground mine accident rescue simulation training to workers in smaller mines.

Requires the Secretary to issue mandatory standards to establish certification requirements and procedures for persons authorized by a mine operator to perform duties or provide training under such Act.

 Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to states to assist them in developing and implementing miner certification programs.

Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to require mine operators to retain certain required records and data that are in electronic form.

Amends the Black Lung Benefits Act to require a mine operator to deliver within 14 days a complete copy of the examining physician's report to any miner required to submit to a medical examination.

Requires the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the workforce needs of the mining industry and federal and state enforcement agencies, including the need for engineers and mine safety and health professionals.

Requires the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health, to submit to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and to Congress, and post on the Mine Safety and Health Administration's website, a five-year strategic plan for program activities, as well as an annual performance plan.

Authorizes the Secretary to double encumber a position or utilize early replacement hiring for authorized representatives and technical positions in the Mine Safety and Health Administration. Requires the Secretary to develop and report to Congress a succession plan for the next five years to assure timely replacement of qualified Administration employees critical to the agency's mission.

Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) to expand its coverage to federal, state, and local government employees.

Revises certain employee protections against discrimination.

Prescribes an employee's victim rights before the Secretary or before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission with respect to: (1) inspections or investigations of employer violations of federal occupational safety and health standards, or (2) a work-related bodily injury or death.

Prescribes administrative requirements for an employer's correction of a serious, willful, or repeated violation of federal occupational safety and health standards pending contest and procedures for a stay. Increases civil penalties for such violations.

Subjects to certain increased criminal penalties an employer who knowingly violates a federal occupational safety and health standard, or regulation prescribed by such Act, that causes or contributes to the death of an employee. Adds penalties for a knowing violation that causes or contributes to serious bodily harm to any employee but does not cause any employee's death.

health act amends federal_mine_safety_and_health_act require secretary labor secretary conducting health safety related accident investigations coal mines determine accident occurred violations law mandatory health safety standards requirements refer evidence conduct constitute violation federal criminal law attorney general recommendations avoid recurrence requires independent accident investigation independent panel appointed secretary health_and_human_services hhs accident involving deaths severity scale merits independent investigation requires director national_institute_for_occupational_safety_and_health niosh request majority panel initiative issue subpoenas attendance testimony witnesses production relevant papers books documents administer oaths respect investigation authorizes director panel members staff attorneys representing question individual privately authorizes secretary representatives attorneys question individual privately inspection investigation individual willing speak provide statement representatives attorneys presence involvement knowledge operator operator agents attorneys allows closest relative miner entrapped disabled killed prevented accident designate representative miner participate inspection requires inspections conducted shifts days week miners normally present grants representative miners right participate accident investigations initiated secretary including right participate investigative interviews review relevant papers books documents records excluded avoid interference adverse impact pending criminal investigation requires secretary determining operator properly maintained record violations authorized representative spot inspection working days irregular intervals month period following determination prohibits attorney representing operator miner inspection investigation litigation miner knowingly waives possible conflicts interest requires secretary establish publicly available electronic database containing safety records requires secretary authorized representative actions improve conditions request meeting appropriate state level regulator share secretary concerns identified having significant persistent safety health problem authorizes secretary state level regulator develop joint plan correct identified problems makes criteria requirements contained federal regulations criteria determining pattern violations mandatory health safety standards exists act requires secretary revoke approval operator plans programs based certain criteria order withdrawal persons prohibit entering operator submits secretary approves new plan revises civil criminal penalties related administrative procedures prescribes civil penalty unapproved change coal ventilation system ventilation control required ventilation plan safety standard order violation mandatory health safety standard requiring rock coal violation prohibition providing advance notice inspection violation mandatory health safety standard requiring examinations work areas underground coal failure required records revises certain miner protections discrimination prohibits discriminating miner employee operator refusing perform duties good faith reasonable belief performing duties pose safety health hazard entitles miner compensation operator regular rate pay entire period miner idled secretary withdrawal order current law miners entitled compensation balance shift hours working shift order terminated requires underground coal operator implement communication program ensure miner entering aware start shift current conditions prescribes additional requirements monitoring coal dust rock dust dust underground mines directs secretary promulgate regulations require operator underground coal install atmospheric monitoring systems directs secretary issue regulations require atmospheric monitoring recording devices incorporated mining equipment detect methane oxygen carbon monoxide coal dust levels mining equipment mobile equipment incorporate proximity detectors revises operator health safety training program requirements increases minimum number hours refresher training miners receive months including hour training miners statutory rights responsibilities authorizes secretary issue order requiring operator provide additional training miners fatal accident occurred experienced average accident injury rates citations withdrawal orders prescribes additional requirements miner receive quarterly training use self rescue devices amends improvement new emergency response act require secretary special emphasis award competitive grants education training brookwood-sago_mine_safety_grants programs materials provide underground accident rescue simulation training workers smaller mines requires secretary issue mandatory standards establish certification requirements procedures persons authorized operator perform duties provide training act authorizes secretary grants states assist developing implementing miner certification programs directs secretary promulgate regulations require operators retain certain required records data electronic form amends black lung benefits act require operator deliver days complete copy examining physician report miner required submit medical examination requires comptroller general study report congress workforce needs mining industry federal state enforcement agencies including need engineers safety health professionals requires secretary acting assistant secretary labor submit director office_of_management_and_budget omb congress post safety_and_health_administration website year strategic plan program activities annual performance plan authorizes secretary double encumber position utilize early replacement hiring authorized representatives technical positions safety_and_health_administration requires secretary develop report congress succession plan years assure timely replacement qualified administration employees critical agency mission amends occupational_safety_and_health_act osha expand coverage federal state local government employees revises certain employee protections discrimination prescribes employee victim rights secretary occupational_safety_and_health_review_commission respect inspections investigations employer violations federal occupational safety health standards work related bodily injury death prescribes administrative requirements employer correction willful repeated violation federal occupational safety health standards pending contest procedures stay increases civil penalties violations subjects certain increased criminal penalties employer knowingly violates federal occupational safety health standard regulation prescribed act causes contributes death employee adds penalties knowing violation causes contributes bodily harm employee cause employee death


Summary:
Black Lung Health Improvements Act of 2013 - Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to transfer to the Secretary of Labor from the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) (formerly known as the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare [HEW]) the duty to establish a schedule reducing the average concentration of respirable dust in the mine atmosphere during each shift to which each miner is exposed below the levels established under that Act to a level of exposure which will prevent new incidences and further development of respiratory disease in any person.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) issue a final regulation lowering a miner's permissible exposure level to respirable dust (including coal and silica dust) through environmental and engineering controls, as well as update sampling and testing procedures; and (2) reexamine once every five years the incidence of pneumoconiosis (black lung disease) in miners and, unless black lung disease declines, update the regulation.

Amends the Black Lung Benefits Act to require a mine operator to deliver within 14 days a complete copy of the examining physician's report to any miner required to submit to a medical examination regarding his or her respiratory or pulmonary condition.

Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to report to Congress on any barriers to health care faced by people with black lung disease.

Directs the Secretary to review forms for obtaining workers' compensation benefits under the Black Lung Benefits Program to determine any paperwork barriers to receiving and processing black lung benefit claims as well as the feasibility of reducing such forms.

Amends the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 to direct the Secretary to award competitive Brookwood-Saga Mine Safety Grants to entities for research and outreach to prevent and treat black lung disease.

Directs the Secretary to establish an attorneys' fee payment program to pay attorneys' fees of up to $4,500 to prevailing parties on a qualifying black lung benefit claim.

Directs the Secretary to make black lung benefit payments to a miner's widow and children in respect of survivors' benefits: (1) for claims filed after January 1, 2005, that are pending on or after March 23, 2010, where the miner is found entitled to receive benefits at the time of his death as a result of a lifetime claim; and (2) where the miner is found entitled to receive benefits at the time of his death as a result of a lifetime claim filed before January 1, 1982.

amends federal_mine_safety_and_health_act transfer secretary labor secretary health_and_human_services hhs known secretary welfare duty establish schedule reducing average concentration respirable dust atmosphere shift miner exposed levels established act level exposure prevent new incidences development respiratory disease person requires secretary issue final regulation lowering miner permissible exposure level respirable dust including coal silica dust environmental engineering controls update sampling testing procedures years incidence pneumoconiosis black lung disease miners black lung disease declines update regulation amends black lung benefits act require operator deliver days complete copy examining physician report miner required submit medical examination respiratory pulmonary condition directs comptroller general gao report congress barriers health care faced people black lung disease directs secretary review forms obtaining workers compensation benefits black lung benefits program determine paperwork barriers receiving processing black lung benefit claims feasibility reducing forms amends improvement new emergency response act direct secretary award competitive entities research outreach prevent treat black lung disease directs secretary establish attorneys fee payment program pay attorneys fees prevailing parties qualifying black lung benefit claim directs secretary black lung benefit payments miner widow children respect survivors benefits claims filed january pending march miner found entitled receive benefits time death result lifetime claim miner found entitled receive benefits time death result lifetime claim filed january


Summary:
Toxic Substances and Worker Health Advisory Board Act - Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to require the President to establish an Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health.

Requires the Board to provide advice to the President on the review and approval of the Department of Labor site exposure matrix (SEM) used to determine the eligibility of Department of Energy (DOE) employee contractor claims for compensation for lung disease resulting from exposure to toxic substances.

act amends energy_employees_occupational_illness_compensation_program_act require president establish requires board provide advice president review approval department_of_labor site exposure matrix sem determine eligibility department_of_energy doe employee contractor claims compensation lung disease resulting exposure toxic substances


Summary:
Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2014 or FACT Act - Amends federal bankruptcy law concerning a trust formed under a reorganization plan following the discharge in bankruptcy of a debtor corporation in order to assume the debtor's liability with respect to claims seeking recovery for personal injury, wrongful death, or property damage allegedly caused by the presence of, or exposure to, asbestos or asbestos-containing products.

Requires such a trust to file with the bankruptcy court quarterly reports, available on the public docket, which describe each demand the trust has received from a claimant and the basis for any payment made to that claimant (excluding any confidential medical record or the claimant's full Social Security number).

Requires such reports, upon written request, and subject to payment (demanded at the option of the trust) for any reasonable cost incurred by it, to provide any information related to payment from, and demands for payment from, the trust to any party to any action in law or equity concerning liability for asbestos exposure.

furthering asbestos claim transparency act fact act amends federal bankruptcy law concerning trust formed reorganization plan following discharge bankruptcy debtor corporation order assume debtor liability respect claims seeking recovery personal injury wrongful death property damage allegedly caused presence exposure asbestos asbestos containing products requires trust file bankruptcy court quarterly reports available public docket describe demand trust received claimant basis payment claimant excluding confidential medical record claimant social_security number requires reports written request subject payment demanded option trust reasonable cost incurred provide information related payment demands payment trust party action law equity concerning liability asbestos exposure


Summary: Future Logging Careers Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to make the restrictions on oppressive child labor inapplicable to employment of an employee age 16 or 17 by a parent, or a person standing in place of a parent, in a logging or mechanized operation owned or operated by that parent or person.

future logging careers act amends fair labor standards act restrictions oppressive child labor inapplicable employment employee age parent person standing place parent logging mechanized operation owned operated parent person


Summary: Student Loan Tax Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income income imputed from a discharge of student loan indebtedness based on repayments which are income contingent or income based or a discharge due to the death or total disability of the student.

exclude gross income income imputed discharge student loan indebtedness based repayments income contingent income based discharge death total disability student


Summary:
Worksite Reporting Act

Directs the Secretary of Labor to revise certain regulations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 so as to require site-controlling employers to keep a site log for all recordable injuries and illnesses occurring among all employees on the particular site, whether such employees are employed directly by the site-controlling employer or are employed by contractors or temporary help or employee leasing services.

directs secretary labor revise certain regulations occupational_safety_and_health_act require site controlling employers site log recordable injuries illnesses occurring employees particular site employees employed directly site controlling employer employed contractors temporary help employee leasing services


Summary:
Amends the Black Lung Benefits Act, with respect to claims filed on or after the effective date of the Black Lung Benefits Amendments of 1981, to eliminate exceptions to: (1) the applicability of certain provisions regarding rebuttable presumptions; and (2) the prohibition against requiring eligible survivors of a miner determined to be eligible for black lung benefits to file a new claim or refile or otherwise revalidate the miner's claim.

Applies the amendments made by this Act to claims filed after January 1, 2005, that were pending on or after March 23, 2010.

amends black lung benefits act respect claims filed effective date eliminate exceptions applicability certain provisions rebuttable presumptions prohibition requiring eligible survivors miner determined eligible black lung benefits file new claim miner claim applies amendments act claims filed january pending march


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

 Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency (FACT) Act of 2015

 (Sec. 2) This bill amends federal bankruptcy law concerning a trust formed under a reorganization plan following the discharge in bankruptcy of a debtor corporation in order to assume the debtor's liability with respect to claims seeking recovery for personal injury, wrongful death, or property damage allegedly caused by the presence of, or exposure to, asbestos or asbestos-containing products.

Such a trust shall file with the bankruptcy court quarterly reports, available on the public docket, which describe each demand the trust has received from a claimant and the basis for any payment made to that claimant (excluding any confidential medical record or the claimant's full Social Security number).

Such reports, upon written request, and subject to payment (demanded at the option of the trust) for any reasonable cost incurred by it, shall provide any information related to payment from, and demands for payment from, the trust to any party to any action in law or equity concerning liability for asbestos exposure.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure furthering asbestos claim transparency fact act sec bill amends federal bankruptcy law concerning trust formed reorganization plan following discharge bankruptcy debtor corporation order assume debtor liability respect claims seeking recovery personal injury wrongful death property damage allegedly caused presence exposure asbestos asbestos containing products trust shall file bankruptcy court quarterly reports available public docket describe demand trust received claimant basis payment claimant excluding confidential medical record claimant social_security number reports written request subject payment demanded option trust reasonable cost incurred shall provide information related payment demands payment trust party action law equity concerning liability asbestos exposure


Summary:
Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments of 2015

 Amends the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to extend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Trust Fund until 19 years after enactment of this Act.

Prescribes additional periods of required presence in an affected area during atmospheric nuclear testing for individuals filing leukemia or specified disease claims. Increases the amount of compensation an individual filing a claim may receive to $150,000.

Expands "affected area" to include Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and New Mexico, as well as any county in Arizona, Nevada, or Utah.

Extends to December 31, 1990, the period during which an individual employed at any time in a uranium mine or uranium mill is made eligible to receive compensation for a disease claim due to radiation exposure. Makes a core driller eligible to receive compensation upon filing of a disease claim.

Makes miners, core drillers, and ore transporters who suffer renal cancer or any other chronic renal disease, including nephritis and kidney tubal tissue injury, eligible for compensation due to exposure to radiation while on the job.

Requires the Attorney General to accept written affidavits meeting specified requirements regarding employment history, physical presence in an affected area, or participation at a nuclear testing site in determining the eligibility of claimants.

Extends until 19 years after enactment of this Act the statute of limitations for the filing of such claims.

Increases from 2% to 10% of the payment received by a claimant the maximum amount of attorneys fees that can be charged for the filing of an initial claim.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, to establish a program of grants to institutions of higher education to study the epidemiological impacts of uranium mining and milling among non-occupationally exposed individuals, including family members of uranium miners and millers.

Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to include as a member of the Special Exposure Cohort entitled to compensation with respect to chronic beryllium disease under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program any Department of Energy employee or contractor who contracted cancer after beginning employment between January 1, 1942, and December 31, 1990, in a uranium mine or mill located in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Wyoming, South Dakota, Washington, Utah, Idaho, North Dakota, Oregon, Texas, or any other state the Attorney General includes.

radiation exposure compensation act amendments amends radiation_exposure_compensation_act extend radiation_exposure_compensation_trust_fund years enactment act prescribes additional periods required presence affected area atmospheric nuclear testing individuals filing leukemia specified disease claims increases compensation individual filing claim receive expands affected area include colorado idaho montana new_mexico county arizona nevada utah extends december period individual employed time uranium uranium mill eligible receive compensation disease claim radiation exposure makes core driller eligible receive compensation filing disease claim makes miners core drillers ore transporters suffer renal cancer chronic renal disease including nephritis kidney tubal tissue injury eligible compensation exposure radiation job requires attorney general accept written affidavits meeting specified requirements employment history physical presence affected area participation nuclear testing site determining eligibility claimants extends years enactment act statute limitations filing claims increases payment received claimant maximum attorneys fees charged filing initial claim directs secretary health_and_human_services national_institute_of_environmental_health_sciences establish program grants institutions higher education study epidemiological impacts uranium mining milling non occupationally exposed individuals including family members uranium miners millers amends energy_employees_occupational_illness_compensation_program_act include member special_exposure_cohort entitled compensation respect chronic beryllium disease energy_employees_occupational_illness_compensation_program department_of_energy employee contractor contracted cancer beginning employment january december uranium mill located colorado new_mexico arizona wyoming south_dakota washington utah idaho north_dakota oregon texas state attorney general includes


Summary:
Future Logging Careers Act

 Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to make the restrictions on oppressive child labor inapplicable to employment of an employee age 16 or 17 by a parent, or a person standing in place of a parent, in a logging or mechanized operation owned or operated by that parent or person.


Summary: This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to redefine "oppressive child labor," for purposes of child labor prohibitions, to include the employment of any employee under age 18 who has direct contact with tobacco plants or dried tobacco leaves.

bill amends fair labor standards act redefine oppressive child labor purposes child labor prohibitions include employment employee age direct contact tobacco plants dried tobacco leaves


Summary: This bill amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to prohibit the assessment of penalties against employers for non-willful, unrepeated, or non-serious violations of occupational safety and health standards during the time period fixed for abatement of such a violation in any citation or final order. Furthermore, no penalty shall be assessed for a violation if it shall be abated by the employer in accordance with the citation or order before the end of that period.

bill amends occupational_safety_and_health_act prohibit assessment penalties employers non willful non violations occupational safety health standards time period fixed abatement violation citation final order furthermore penalty shall assessed violation shall employer accordance citation order end period


Summary:
Protecting America's Workers Act

 Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) to expand its coverage to federal, state, and local government employees.

Authorizes the Secretary of Labor, under specified conditions, to cede OSHA jurisdiction to another federal agency with respect to certain occupational standards or regulations for such agency's employees. Declares OSHA inapplicable to working conditions covered by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.

Increases protections for whistle blowers under OSHA.

Prescribes requirements relating to:

 a employer's duty to furnish a place of employment free from recognized hazards causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm that the employer creates or controls or in which the employer exposes any individual (not just an employer's employee) performing work there; the posting of employee rights; a site-controlling employer's duty to keep a site log for recordable injuries and illnesses of all employees, including employees of the site-controlling employer or others (including independent contractors) performing work there; employer reporting of employee work-related deaths or hospitalizations; a prohibition against employers adopting or implementing policies or practices that discourage or discriminate against employee reporting of work-related injuries or illnesses; a prohibition against the loss of wages or employee benefits due to an employee participating in a workplace inspection; investigations of incidents resulting in death or the hospitalization of two or more employees which occur in a place of employment; and a prohibition against the issuing, modifying, or settling of unclassified citations for occupational health and safety standard violations. Continues requirements relating to: (1) the rights of an employee (including a former employee or family member in lieu of an employee) who has sustained a work-related injury or illness that is the subject of an inspection or investigation; (2) an employer's right to contest citations and penalties; and (3) periods permitted for an employer to correct serious, willful, or repeated violations pending an employer's contest to a citation and procedures for stays of the time period for abatement of those violations.

Increases civil and criminal penalties for certain OSHA violators.

States that pre-final order interest on any penalties owed shall begin to accrue on the date a party contests a citation, at an interest rate calculated at the current underpayment rate.

Prescribes requirements for the Secretary's evaluation of state occupational safety and health plans as well as workplace health hazard evaluations by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Revises requirements for state plans for the development and enforcement of state occupational safety and health standards in lieu of applicable federal occupational safety and health standards. Requires the Secretary to approve plans that provide for state consideration of repeated occupational safety and health violations committed by an employer within the state as well as those committed under other occupational safety and health plans in states where the Secretary has jurisdiction.

Requires a state that has an approved plan for the development and enforcement of occupational safety and health standards to amend its plan to conform to the requirements of this Act within 12 months after enactment of this Act.

protecting_america workers act amends occupational_safety_and_health_act osha expand coverage federal state local government employees authorizes secretary labor specified conditions cede osha jurisdiction federal agency respect certain occupational standards regulations agency employees declares osha inapplicable working conditions covered federal_mine_safety_and_health_act increases protections whistle blowers osha prescribes requirements relating employer duty furnish place employment free recognized hazards causing likely cause death physical harm employer creates controls employer exposes individual employer employee performing work posting employee rights site controlling employer duty site log recordable injuries illnesses employees including employees site controlling employer including independent contractors performing work employer reporting employee work related deaths hospitalizations prohibition employers adopting implementing policies practices discourage discriminate employee reporting work related injuries illnesses prohibition loss wages employee benefits employee participating workplace inspection investigations incidents resulting death hospitalization employees occur place employment prohibition issuing modifying settling unclassified citations occupational health safety standard violations continues requirements relating rights employee including employee family member lieu employee sustained work related injury illness subject inspection investigation employer right contest citations penalties periods permitted employer correct willful repeated violations pending employer contest citation procedures stays time period abatement violations increases civil criminal penalties certain osha violators states pre final order interest penalties owed shall begin accrue date party contests citation interest rate calculated current underpayment rate prescribes requirements secretary evaluation state occupational safety health plans workplace health hazard evaluations national_institute_for_occupational_safety_and_health revises requirements state plans development enforcement state occupational safety health standards lieu applicable federal occupational safety health standards requires secretary approve plans provide state consideration repeated occupational safety health violations committed employer state committed occupational safety health plans states secretary jurisdiction requires state approved plan development enforcement occupational safety health standards amend plan conform requirements act months enactment act


Summary:
Medicare Secondary Payer and Workers' Compensation Settlement Agreements Act of 2015

Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) create an exception to Medicare secondary payer requirements for certain workers' compensation settlement agreements, and (2) provide for the satisfaction of such requirements through use of qualified Medicare set-asides under such agreements.

medicare_secondary_payer amends title xviii medicare social security act create exception medicare secondary payer requirements certain workers compensation settlement agreements provide satisfaction requirements use qualified medicare set asides agreements


Summary:
Downwinders Compensation Act of 2015

This bill amends the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to expand eligibility for restitution relating to atmospheric nuclear testing to individuals who were present, during the periods of testing, in any part of Clark County, Nevada, or any part of any county in Arizona that has a part north of the Grand Canyon.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the tax deduction for charitable contributions that are required to purchase a ticket to a college sporting event.

compensation act bill amends radiation_exposure_compensation_act expand eligibility restitution relating atmospheric nuclear testing individuals present periods testing clark_county nevada county arizona north bill amends internal_revenue_code eliminate tax deduction charitable contributions required purchase ticket college sporting event


Summary:
Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2015

This bill amends the Black Lung Benefits Act to revise requirements for miners' claims for pneumoconiosis (black lung) benefits.

A mine operator must give a copy of the examining physician's report to miners required to have a medical examination of their respiratory condition.

The Department of Labor must pay the attorneys' fees of prevailing parties on a qualifying black lung benefit claim.

This bill revises: (1) the standards of medical evidence that establish a presumption that a miner is totally disabled by black lung, and (2) payments to miners (including their dependents) totally disabled by black lung.

Black lung clinics may use federal funds to help individuals file black lung benefit claims.

A person may not: (1) make a false statement or misrepresentation in increasing or reducing black lung benefits, or (2) threaten or mislead a participant in a proceeding regarding black lung benefits.

Labor, upon request, must give a claimant the opportunity to substantiate a claim for benefits through a pulmonary evaluation of the miner.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) must establish a pilot program to assure accurate classifications of chest radiographs in black lung cases where the diagnosis is at issue.

Labor, in coordination with NIOSH, must educate certain individuals who work on black lung benefits about medical evidence relevant to claims.

A previously denied claimant may file a claim for black lung benefits within one year after enactment of this Act.

Labor must report to Congress a strategy to reduce the backlog of black lung cases pending before the Office of Administrative Law Judges.

The Government Accountability Office must report on any barriers to health care faced by coal miners with black lung.

The bill amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to direct Labor to use data from continuous personal dust monitors to determine whether to make changes to respirable dust concentration standards, controls, and measurements.

Establishment of the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs is codified.

black lung benefits improvement act bill amends black lung benefits act revise requirements miners claims pneumoconiosis black lung benefits operator copy examining physician report miners required medical examination respiratory condition department_of_labor pay attorneys fees prevailing parties qualifying black lung benefit claim bill revises standards medical evidence establish presumption miner totally disabled black lung payments miners including dependents totally disabled black lung black lung clinics use federal funds help individuals file black lung benefit claims person false statement misrepresentation increasing reducing black lung benefits threaten mislead participant proceeding black lung benefits labor request claimant opportunity substantiate claim benefits pulmonary evaluation miner national_institute_for_occupational_safety_and_health niosh establish pilot program assure accurate classifications chest black lung cases diagnosis issue labor coordination niosh educate certain individuals work black lung benefits medical evidence relevant claims previously denied claimant file claim black lung benefits year enactment act labor report congress strategy reduce backlog black lung cases pending government_accountability_office report barriers health care faced coal miners black lung bill amends federal_mine_safety_and_health_act direct labor use data continuous personal dust monitors determine changes respirable dust concentration standards controls measurements establishment codified


Summary:
Nurse and Health Care Worker Protection Act of 2015

This bill requires the Department of Labor to establish a standard on safe patient handling, mobility, and injury prevention to prevent musculoskeletal disorders for health care workers. The standard must require the use of engineering and safety controls to handle patients.

The standard must require health care employers to: (1) develop and implement a safe patient handling, mobility, and injury prevention program; (2) train their workers on safe patient handling, mobility, and injury prevention; and (3) post a notice that explains the standard, procedures to report patient handling-related injuries, and workers' rights under this Act. Labor must conduct unscheduled inspections to ensure compliance with the standard.

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to apply the standard to hospitals receiving Medicare funds.

nurse act bill requires department_of_labor establish standard safe patient handling mobility injury prevention prevent musculoskeletal disorders health care workers standard require use engineering safety controls handle patients standard require health care employers develop implement safe patient handling mobility injury prevention program train workers safe patient handling mobility injury prevention post notice explains standard procedures report patient handling related injuries workers rights act labor conduct unscheduled inspections ensure compliance standard bill amends title xviii medicare social security act apply standard hospitals receiving medicare funds


Summary:
Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2015 or FACT Act

Amends federal bankruptcy law concerning a trust formed under a reorganization plan following the discharge in bankruptcy of a debtor corporation in order to assume the debtor's liability with respect to claims seeking recovery for personal injury, wrongful death, or property damage allegedly caused by the presence of, or exposure to, asbestos or asbestos-containing products.

Requires such a trust to file with the bankruptcy court quarterly reports, available on the public docket, which describe each demand the trust has received from a claimant and the basis for any payment made to that claimant (excluding any confidential medical record or the claimant's full Social Security number).

Requires such reports, upon written request, and subject to payment (demanded at the option of the trust) for any reasonable cost incurred by it, to provide any information related to payment from, and demands for payment from, the trust to any party to any action in law or equity concerning liability for asbestos exposure.


Summary:
Protecting America's Workers Act

 Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) to expand its coverage to federal, state, and local government employees.

Authorizes the Secretary of Labor, under specified conditions, to cede OSHA jurisdiction to another federal agency with respect to certain occupational standards or regulations for such agency's employees. Declares OSHA inapplicable to working conditions covered by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.

Increases protections for whistle blowers under OSHA.

Prescribes requirements relating to:

 a employer's duty to furnish a place of employment free from recognized hazards causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to any individual (not just an employer's employee) performing work there; a site-controlling employer's duty to keep a site log for recordable injuries and illnesses of all employees, including employees of the site-controlling employer or others (including independent contractors) performing work there; the posting of employee rights; employer reporting of employee work-related deaths or hospitalizations; a prohibition against employers adopting or implementing policies or practices that discourage or discriminate against employee reporting of work-related injuries or illnesses; a prohibition against the loss of wages or employee benefits due to an employee participating in a workplace inspection; investigations of incidents resulting in death or the hospitalization of two or more employees which occur in a place of employment; and a prohibition against the issuing, modifying, or settling of unclassified citations for occupational health and safety standard violations. Continues requirements relating to: (1) the rights of an employee (including a former employee or family member in lieu of an employee) who has sustained a work-related injury or illness that is the subject of an inspection or investigation; (2) an employer's right to contest citations and penalties; and (3) periods permitted for an employer to correct serious, willful, or repeated violations pending an employer's contest to a citation and procedures for stays of the time period for abatement of those violations.

Increases civil and criminal penalties for certain OSHA violators.

States that pre-final order interest on any penalties owed shall begin to accrue on the date a party contests a citation, at an interest rate calculated at the current underpayment rate.

Prescribes requirements for the Secretary's evaluation of state occupational safety and health plans as well as workplace health hazard evaluations by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Requires a state that has an approved plan for the development and enforcement of occupational safety and health standards to amend its plan to conform to the requirements of this Act within 12 months after enactment of this Act.

protecting_america workers act amends occupational_safety_and_health_act osha expand coverage federal state local government employees authorizes secretary labor specified conditions cede osha jurisdiction federal agency respect certain occupational standards regulations agency employees declares osha inapplicable working conditions covered federal_mine_safety_and_health_act increases protections whistle blowers osha prescribes requirements relating employer duty furnish place employment free recognized hazards causing likely cause death physical harm individual employer employee performing work site controlling employer duty site log recordable injuries illnesses employees including employees site controlling employer including independent contractors performing work posting employee rights employer reporting employee work related deaths hospitalizations prohibition employers adopting implementing policies practices discourage discriminate employee reporting work related injuries illnesses prohibition loss wages employee benefits employee participating workplace inspection investigations incidents resulting death hospitalization employees occur place employment prohibition issuing modifying settling unclassified citations occupational health safety standard violations continues requirements relating rights employee including employee family member lieu employee sustained work related injury illness subject inspection investigation employer right contest citations penalties periods permitted employer correct willful repeated violations pending employer contest citation procedures stays time period abatement violations increases civil criminal penalties certain osha violators states pre final order interest penalties owed shall begin accrue date party contests citation interest rate calculated current underpayment rate prescribes requirements secretary evaluation state occupational safety health plans workplace health hazard evaluations national_institute_for_occupational_safety_and_health requires state approved plan development enforcement occupational safety health standards amend plan conform requirements act months enactment act


Summary:
Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act of 2015

 Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to require the Department of Labor, in conducting health and safety related accident investigations in coal or other mines, to: (1) determine why an accident occurred and whether there were violations of law, mandatory health and safety standards, or other requirements; (2) in cases involving violations of federal criminal law, refer them to the Attorney General; and (3) make recommendations to avoid any recurrence.

Requires an independent accident investigation by an independent panel appointed by the Department of Health and Human Services for any serious accident meeting certain criteria.

Allows participation in a mine inspection by the closest relative of a miner entrapped, disabled, killed, or otherwise prevented by an accident to designate a representative.

Prohibits an attorney from representing both a mine operator and miner during an inspection, investigation, or litigation, unless the miner knowingly waives all possible conflicts of interest.

Requires Labor to: (1) revoke the approval of mine operator plans or programs based on certain criteria; and (2) order withdrawal of all persons from a mine or mine area, and prohibit them from entering it, until the operator submits and Labor approves a new plan.

Revises civil and criminal penalties and related administrative procedures.

Revises certain miner protections against discrimination.

Entitles a miner to full compensation by a mine operator at the regular rate of pay for the entire period (not to exceed 60 days) for which the miner is idled because of a Labor withdrawal order.

Prohibits an underground coal mine operator for three years after receiving notice of a pattern of violations from discharging (or constructively discharging) a miner without reasonable grounds based on certain failures to perform job duties satisfactorily if the miner is paid on an hourly basis and has completed the employer's probationary period of up to six months.

Requires each underground coal mine operator to implement a communication program to ensure that each miner is orally briefed on and made aware of current mine conditions before traveling to or arriving at the mine work area and commencing assigned tasks.

Directs Labor to promulgate regulations to require each operator of an underground coal mine to install atmospheric monitoring systems.

Revises mine operator health and safety training program requirements.

Requires Labor to order a mine operator to provide additional training to miners if a serious or fatal accident has occurred at a mine or certain other circumstances exist.

Amends the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 to require Labor to give special emphasis in the award of competitive grants for education and training (Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants) to programs and materials that provide underground mine accident rescue simulation training to workers in smaller mines.

 Authorizes Labor to make grants to states to assist them in developing and implementing miner certification programs.

Authorizes Labor to double encumber a position or utilize early replacement hiring for authorized representatives and technical positions in the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to expand its coverage to federal, state, and local government employees, especially protections against discrimination.

Prescribes certain employee's victim rights before Labor or before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Prescribes administrative requirements for an employer's correction of a serious, willful, or repeated violation of federal occupational safety and health standards.

Subjects to certain increased criminal penalties an employer who knowingly violates a federal occupational safety and health standard or regulation that causes or contributes to the death of an employee.

amends federal_mine_safety_and_health_act require department_of_labor conducting health safety related accident investigations coal mines determine accident occurred violations law mandatory health safety standards requirements cases involving violations federal criminal law refer attorney general recommendations avoid recurrence requires independent accident investigation independent panel appointed department_of_health_and_human_services accident meeting certain criteria allows participation inspection closest relative miner entrapped disabled killed prevented accident designate representative prohibits attorney representing operator miner inspection investigation litigation miner knowingly waives possible conflicts interest requires labor revoke approval operator plans programs based certain criteria order withdrawal persons area prohibit entering operator submits labor approves new plan revises civil criminal penalties related administrative procedures revises certain miner protections discrimination entitles miner compensation operator regular rate pay entire period exceed days miner idled labor withdrawal order prohibits underground coal operator years receiving notice pattern violations discharging constructively discharging miner reasonable grounds based certain failures perform job duties satisfactorily miner paid hourly basis completed employer probationary period months requires underground coal operator implement communication program ensure miner orally briefed aware current conditions traveling arriving work area commencing assigned tasks directs labor promulgate regulations require operator underground coal install atmospheric monitoring systems revises operator health safety training program requirements requires labor order operator provide additional training miners fatal accident occurred certain circumstances exist amends improvement new emergency response act require labor special emphasis award competitive grants education training brookwood-sago_mine_safety_grants programs materials provide underground accident rescue simulation training workers smaller mines authorizes labor grants states assist developing implementing miner certification programs authorizes labor double encumber position utilize early replacement hiring authorized representatives technical positions safety_and_health_administration amends occupational_safety_and_health_act expand coverage federal state local government employees especially protections discrimination prescribes certain employee victim rights labor occupational_safety_and_health_review_commission prescribes administrative requirements employer correction willful repeated violation federal occupational safety health standards subjects certain increased criminal penalties employer knowingly violates federal occupational safety health standard regulation causes contributes death employee


Summary:
Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act

This bill amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the application of, and repeal authority for, administrative offsets to Social Security, railroad retirement, and black lung benefits.

benefits restoration act bill amends title old age survivors disability insurance social security act prohibit application repeal authority administrative offsets social_security railroad retirement black lung benefits


Summary: Labor Relations First Contract Negotiations Act of 2005 [sic]- Amends the National Labor Relations Act to require mediation and, if necessary, binding arbitration of initial contract negotiation disputes.

labor relations contract negotiations act amends national_labor_relations_act require mediation necessary binding arbitration initial contract negotiation disputes


Summary: National Right-to-Work Act - Amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to repeal those provisions that permit employers, pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement that is a union security agreement, to require employees to join a union as a condition of employment (including provisions permitting railroad carriers to require, pursuant to such an agreement, payroll deduction of union dues or fees as a condition of employment).

national right work act amends national_labor_relations_act railway labor act repeal provisions permit employers pursuant collective bargaining agreement union security agreement require employees join union condition employment including provisions permitting railroad carriers require pursuant agreement payroll deduction union dues fees condition employment


Summary: Employee Free Choice Act of 2007 - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to require the National Labor Relations Board to certify a bargaining representative without directing an election if a majority of the bargaining unit employees have authorized designation of the representative (card-check) and there is no other individual or labor organization currently certified or recognized as the exclusive representative of any of the employees in the unit. Sets forth special procedural requirements for reaching an initial collective bargaining agreement following certification or recognition. Revises enforcement requirements with respect to unfair labor practices during union organizing drives, particularly a preliminary investigation of an alleged unfair labor practice which may lead to proceedings for injunctive relief. Requires that priority be given to a preliminary investigation of any charge that, while employees were seeking representation by a labor organization, or during the period after a labor organization was recognized as a representative until the first collective bargaining contract is entered into, an employer: (1) discharged or otherwise discriminated against an employee to encourage or discourage membership in the labor organization; (2) threatened to discharge or to otherwise discriminate against an employee in order to interfere with, restrain, or coerce employees in the exercise of guaranteed self-organization or collective bargaining rights; or (3) engaged in any other related unfair labor practice that significantly interferes with, restrains, or coerces employees in the exercise of such guaranteed rights. Adds to remedies for such violations: (1) back pay plus liquidated damages; and (2) additional civil penalties.

employee free choice act amends national labor relations act require national_labor_relations_board certify bargaining representative directing election majority bargaining unit employees authorized designation representative card check individual labor organization currently certified recognized exclusive representative employees unit sets forth special procedural requirements reaching initial collective bargaining agreement following certification recognition revises enforcement requirements respect unfair labor practices union organizing drives particularly preliminary investigation alleged unfair labor practice lead proceedings injunctive relief requires priority given preliminary investigation charge employees seeking representation labor organization period labor organization recognized representative collective bargaining contract entered employer discharged discriminated employee encourage discourage membership labor organization threatened discharge discriminate employee order interfere restrain coerce employees exercise guaranteed self organization collective bargaining rights engaged related unfair labor practice significantly interferes restrains coerces employees exercise guaranteed rights adds remedies violations pay plus liquidated damages additional civil penalties


Summary: Secret Ballot Protection Act - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to make it an unfair labor practice for: (1) an employer to recognize or bargain collectively with a labor organization that has not been selected by a majority of the employees in a secret ballot election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board; and (2) a labor organization to cause or attempt to cause an employer to recognize or bargain collectively with a representative that has not been selected in such manner.

protection act amends national_labor_relations_act unfair labor practice employer recognize bargain collectively labor organization selected majority employees secret ballot election conducted national_labor_relations_board labor organization cause attempt cause employer recognize bargain collectively representative selected manner


Summary: Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2007 - Provides collective bargaining rights for public safety officers employed by states or local governments. Directs the Federal Labor Relations Authority (Authority) to determine whether state law provides specified rights and responsibilities for public safety officers, including: (1) granting public safety employees the right to form and join a labor organization which excludes management and supervisory employees, and which is, or seeks to be, recognized as the exclusive bargaining agent for such employees; and (2) requiring public safety employers to recognize and agree to bargain with the employees' labor organization. Authorizes the Authority, upon the request of an employer or a labor organization, to make a subsequent determination as to whether such state law provides such rights and responsibilities if there is a subsequent material change in the state law or its interpretation. Allows a person aggrieved by an Authority determination to petition the U.S. Court of Appeals for judicial review. Requires the Authority to issue regulations establishing rights and responsibilities for public safety employers and employees in states that do not substantially provide for such public safety employee rights and responsibilities. Directs the Authority, in such cases, to: (1) determine the appropriateness of units for labor organization representation; (2) supervise or conduct elections to determine whether a labor organization has been selected as an exclusive representative by a voting majority of the employees in an appropriate unit; (3) resolve issues relating to the duty to bargain in good faith; (4) conduct hearings and resolve complaints of unfair labor practices; (5) resolve exceptions to arbitrator's awards; and (6) protect the rights of each employee to join, or assist any labor organization. Grants the Authority, and under appropriate circumstances an interested party, the right to seek enforcement of Authority orders and regulations in the appropriate U.S. Court of Appeals or U.S. district court, respectively. Prohibits public safety employers, employees, and labor organizations from engaging in lockouts or strikes. Provides that existing collective bargaining units and agreements shall not be invalidated by this Act. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to: (1) preempt or limit any remedies, rights, and procedures of any state law that provides greater or comparable rights and responsibilities than those contained in this Act; (2) prevent a state from enforcing a state law that prohibits employers and labor organizations from negotiating a labor agreement that requires union membership or payment of union fees as a condition of employment; (3) preempt any state law that provides for the rights and responsibilities contained in this Act solely because such state law permits an employee to appear on his or her own behalf with respect to his or her employment relations with a public safety agency, excludes employees of a state militia or national guard from its coverage, or provides that a contract or memorandum of understanding between a public safety employer and a labor organization must be presented to the state legislature as part of its approval process; (4) permit parties subject to the National Labor Relations Act and its regulations to negotiate provisions that would prohibit an employee from engaging in part-time employment or volunteer activities during off-duty hours; or (5) preempt any state law that substantially provides for the rights and responsibilities described in this Act solely because such law does not require bargaining with respect to pension and retirement benefits. Allows a state to exempt from its state law, or from the requirements of this Act, a political subdivision of the state with a population of less than 5,000 or that employs fewer than 25 full-time employees. Authorizes appropriations.

public safety employer employee cooperation act provides collective bargaining rights public safety officers employed states local governments directs determine state law provides specified rights responsibilities public safety officers including granting public safety employees right form join labor organization excludes management supervisory employees seeks recognized exclusive bargaining agent employees requiring public safety employers recognize agree bargain employees labor organization authorizes authority request employer labor organization subsequent determination state law provides rights responsibilities subsequent material change state law interpretation allows person aggrieved authority determination petition judicial review requires authority issue regulations establishing rights responsibilities public safety employers employees states substantially provide public safety employee rights responsibilities directs authority cases determine appropriateness units labor organization representation supervise conduct elections determine labor organization selected exclusive representative voting majority employees appropriate unit resolve issues relating duty bargain good faith conduct hearings resolve complaints unfair labor practices resolve exceptions arbitrator awards protect rights employee join assist labor organization appropriate circumstances interested party right seek enforcement authority orders regulations appropriate district court respectively prohibits public safety employers employees labor organizations engaging strikes provides existing collective bargaining units agreements shall invalidated act declares act shall construed preempt limit remedies rights procedures state law provides greater comparable rights responsibilities contained act prevent state enforcing state law prohibits employers labor organizations negotiating labor agreement requires union membership payment union fees condition employment preempt state law provides rights responsibilities contained act solely state law permits employee appear behalf respect employment relations public safety agency excludes employees state national guard coverage provides contract memorandum understanding public safety employer labor organization presented state legislature approval process permit parties subject national_labor_relations_act regulations negotiate provisions prohibit employee engaging time employment volunteer activities duty hours preempt state law substantially provides rights responsibilities described act solely law require bargaining respect pension retirement benefits allows state exempt state law requirements act political subdivision state population employs fewer time employees authorizes appropriations


Summary: Re-Empowerment of Skilled and Professional Employees and Construction Tradesworkers (RESPECT) Act - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to revise the definition of "supervisor" in the following ways: (1) require the individual to have authority over employees for a majority of the individual's worktime; and (2) remove authority to assign other employees and to responsibly direct employees as conditions for being considered a supervisor.

empowerment skilled respect act amends national_labor_relations_act revise definition supervisor following ways require individual authority employees majority individual remove authority assign employees responsibly direct employees conditions considered supervisor


Summary: Workplace Representation Integrity Act - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to require attestation and proof of citizenship or lawful residency from employees seeking (except by a secret ballot election) labor representation for purposes of collective bargaining.

workplace representation integrity act amends national_labor_relations_act require attestation proof citizenship lawful residency employees seeking secret ballot election labor representation purposes collective bargaining


Summary: Government Neutrality in Contracting Act - Directs the head of any federal agency that awards or obligates funds for any construction contract, or that awards grants, provides financial assistance, or enters into cooperative agreements for construction projects, to ensure that bid specifications, project agreements, or other controlling documents do not: (1) require or prohibit a bidder, offeror, contractor, or subcontractor from entering into, or adhering to, agreements with a labor organization, with respect to that construction project or another related construction project; or (2) otherwise discriminate against such a party because it did or did not become a signatory or otherwise adhere to such an agreement. Allows exemptions to avert an imminent threat to public health or safety or to serve national security. Allows additional exemptions for certain projects. Directs the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation to implement this Act with respect to the applicable federal contracts.

government neutrality contracting act directs head federal agency awards obligates funds construction contract awards grants provides financial assistance enters cooperative agreements construction projects ensure bid specifications project agreements controlling documents require prohibit bidder offeror contractor subcontractor entering adhering agreements labor organization respect construction project related construction project discriminate party signatory adhere agreement allows exemptions avert imminent threat public health safety serve national security allows additional exemptions certain projects directs federal_acquisition_regulatory_council amend federal_acquisition_regulation implement act respect applicable federal contracts


Summary: Truth in Employment Act of 2007 - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that nothing in specified prohibitions against unfair labor practices by employers shall be construed as requiring an employer to employ any person who seeks or has sought employment with the employer in furtherance of other employment or agency status.

truth employment act amends national labor relations act provide specified prohibitions unfair labor practices employers shall construed requiring employer employ person seeks sought employment employer furtherance employment agency status


Summary: Private Security Officer Employment Authorization Act of 2007 - Amends the Private Security Officer Employment Authorization Act of 2004 to: (1) require a process to allow private security guard employees or applicants to challenge the accuracy and completeness of their criminal history records; (2) prohibit private security guard employers from hiring guards without obtaining certain state criminal history information; (3) specify the crimes for which states must provide conviction information to such employers; (4) impose confidentiality and recordkeeping requirements on such employers; and (5) protect such employers from liability for good faith employment determinations based upon available criminal history information.

private security officer employment authorization act amends private security officer employment authorization act require process allow private security guard employees applicants challenge accuracy completeness criminal history records prohibit private security guard employers hiring guards obtaining certain state criminal history information specify crimes states provide conviction information employers impose confidentiality recordkeeping requirements employers protect employers liability good faith employment determinations based available criminal history information