Relief for Survivors of Miners Act of 2025 | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 6757
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 6757Labor and Employment
Relief for Survivors of Miners Act of 2025
INTRO DEC 16· LAST ACTION DEC 16
READING
7MIN
COSPONSORS
10
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
Voters should care about this bill because it directly addresses the difficulties faced by families of coal miners who have suffered from a severe and often fatal occupational disease. Black lung disease continues to affect miners, and proving a miner's death was due to this condition can be a long, costly, and emotionally draining process for grieving families. This bill aims to alleviate that burden by making it easier to establish a link between the disease and the death, and by providing financial assistance for legal and medical costs early in the process.
If this bill becomes law, it could mean that more survivors receive benefits faster, and they wouldn't have to carry the full financial weight of legal battles upfront. Without this bill, families would continue to navigate a complex system where the burden of proof is often heavily on them, potentially delaying or denying crucial benefits. It represents a significant change in how the government supports those affected by a dangerous industry.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Establishes stronger "rebuttable presumptions" that a miner's death was due to black lung disease, especially for those with 10+ years of coal mine work or total disability from the disease.
This makes it significantly easier for survivors to prove their claim, shifting the burden to the opposing party (e.g., coal company) to prove no part of the death was caused by black lung.
PROVISION 02
Restores certain benefit eligibility rules that were in place before 1981, regarding total disability due to pneumoconiosis at the time of death.
This could broaden the eligibility for survivors' benefits, potentially allowing more families to receive aid that they previously might have been denied.
PROVISION 03
Creates a new program to pay attorneys' fees and reasonable medical expenses for contested black lung claims that have not received a final decision within one year.
This provides critical financial support for legal representation and medical evidence gathering early in the claims process, reducing the upfront cost burden on survivors.
PROVISION 04
Requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review interim benefit payments for miners and survivors awaiting final determination on their claims.
This ensures an independent assessment of how temporary payments affect beneficiaries, which could lead to future improvements in the benefits system.
Voters should care about this bill because it directly addresses the difficulties faced by families of coal miners who have suffered from a severe and often fatal occupational disease. Black lung disease continues to affect miners, and proving a miner's death was due to this condition can be a long, costly, and emotionally draining process for grieving families. This bill aims to alleviate that burden by making it easier to establish a link between the disease and the death, and by providing financial assistance for legal and medical costs early in the process.
If this bill becomes law, it could mean that more survivors receive benefits faster, and they wouldn't have to carry the full financial weight of legal battles upfront. Without this bill, families would continue to navigate a complex system where the burden of proof is often heavily on them, potentially delaying or denying crucial benefits. It represents a significant change in how the government supports those affected by a dangerous industry.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Establishes stronger "rebuttable presumptions" that a miner's death was due to black lung disease, especially for those with 10+ years of coal mine work or total disability from the disease.
This makes it significantly easier for survivors to prove their claim, shifting the burden to the opposing party (e.g., coal company) to prove no part of the death was caused by black lung.
med
Restores certain benefit eligibility rules that were in place before 1981, regarding total disability due to pneumoconiosis at the time of death.
This could broaden the eligibility for survivors' benefits, potentially allowing more families to receive aid that they previously might have been denied.
high
Creates a new program to pay attorneys' fees and reasonable medical expenses for contested black lung claims that have not received a final decision within one year.
This provides critical financial support for legal representation and medical evidence gathering early in the claims process, reducing the upfront cost burden on survivors.
low
Requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review interim benefit payments for miners and survivors awaiting final determination on their claims.
This ensures an independent assessment of how temporary payments affect beneficiaries, which could lead to future improvements in the benefits system.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
Secretary of Labor to establish the Attorneys' Fees and Medical Expenses Payment Program.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.
Comptroller General of the United States to carry out a review of interim benefit payments under the Black Lung Benefits Act.
Applies to claims filed on or after 5 years before the date of enactment of this Act, and claims pending on or after the date of enactment.
Effective date for amendments regarding rebuttable presumptions and restoring pre-1981 provisions.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Pneumoconiosis
A chronic lung disease caused by inhaling dust, often referred to as 'black lung disease' when it affects coal miners due to coal dust exposure.
Rebuttable Presumption
A legal assumption that is accepted as true unless proven otherwise. In this bill, it means a miner's death is assumed to be due to black lung unless evidence proves absolutely no part of it was.
Black Lung Benefits Act
A federal law that provides monthly cash payments and medical benefits to coal miners totally disabled by black lung disease, and to their eligible survivors.
Black Lung Disability Trust Fund
A federal fund that pays benefits to coal miners and their survivors when a responsible coal mine operator cannot be identified or is unable to pay. It is funded by an excise tax on coal sales.
Liable Operator
The coal mine company legally responsible for paying black lung benefits to a miner or their survivors, usually the company that employed the miner.
Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
A judge within a government agency who presides over administrative hearings, similar to a trial judge but for disputes within the agency's jurisdiction (like black lung claims).
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
DEC 16, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
DEC 16, 25
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
An official within the Department of Labor (specifically, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs) who handles initial stages of black lung benefits claims and makes preliminary decisions.
Interim Benefit Payments
Temporary payments made to beneficiaries while their claim for full, long-term benefits is still being reviewed or contested.
