HR 202
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 202
To amend the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program
Act of 2000 to extend and increase the authority for the ombudsman under the
Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 6, 2011
Mr. GALLEGLY introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee
on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce,
for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
concerned
A BILL
To amend the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program
Act of 2000 to extend and increase the authority for the ombudsman under the
Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `EEOICPA Ombudsman Extension and Enhancement
Act of 2011'.
SEC. 2. INCREASED AUTHORITY FOR OMBUDSMAN UNDER ENERGY EMPLOYEES OCCUPATIONAL
ILLNESS COMPENSATION PROGRAM.
Section 3686 of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program
Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 7385s-15) is amended--
(1) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
`(c) Duties- The duties of the Office shall be as follows:
`(1) To assist individuals in making claims under this title.
`(2) To provide information on the benefits available under this title and
on the requirements and procedures applicable to the provision of such benefits.
`(3) To act as an advocate under this title in appropriate instances, as
determined by the Ombudsman.
`(4) To make recommendations to the Secretary regarding the location of
centers (to be known as `resource centers') for the acceptance and development
of claims for benefits under this title.
`(5) To carry out such other duties as the Secretary shall specify.';
(2) in subsection (e)(2), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
`(C) Proposed changes in the administrative practices of the Department
of Labor to mitigate difficulties identified under subparagraph (B) and
potential legislative changes which may be appropriate to mitigate such
difficulties.'; and
(3) by striking subsection (g) (establishing a sunset date) and inserting
the following:
`(g) Contract Authority- The Ombudsman shall have authority to hire or contract
for any supplies or services including the services of individuals with expertise
in relevant disciplines, including health physics, medicine, industrial hygiene,
and toxicology, as the Ombudsman may from time to time consider appropriate.'.
END
