PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 12, 2000
Atomic Workers' Compensation Act - States findings that civilian men and women who performed duties in the Department of Energy's nuclear weapons production program over the last 50 years should have efficient, uniform, and adequate compensation for beryllium-related health conditions, radiation-related health conditions, asbestos-related health conditions, and toxic substances-related health conditions in order to assure fairness and equity.Title I: Energy Employees' Beryllium Compensation - Directs the Secretary of Energy to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Labor to administer this title and granting of compensation under the Energy Employees Beryllium Compensation Fund.Defines "covered employee" to be any employee of any entity in Los Alamos, New Mexico, that contracted or subcontracted with the Department of Energy to provide services relating to uranium conversion or manufacturing or who may have been exposed to beryllium. Provides compensation to such persons.Allows covered employees exposed to beryllium and diagnosed with beryllium-related pulmonary conditions to elect to receive alternative compensation of $200,000. Extends such option to the employee's survivors.Title II: Nuclear Employees Radiation Compensation - Establishes a similar program and a Nuclear Employees Radiation Compensation Fund to compensate covered employees for disability or death, medical services, and vocational rehabilitation for certain illnesses attributable to occupational exposure to radiation and other hazardous substances at Los Alamos, including leukemia, cancer, and chronic renal disease. Provides for a similar alternative compensation of $200,000.Title III: Asbestos Compensation - Subtitle A: Establishment and Procedure - Establishes in the Department of Labor the Office of Asbestos Compensation and the Asbestos Compensation Fund for the purpose of providing payments to claimants in Los Alamos under this title.Subtitle B: Law Applicable to Asbestos Adjudications - States that a claimant may recover compensation for damages caused by an eligible medical condition only if the claimant presents a certificate of medical eligibility. Provides that such certificate shall be conclusive unless rebutted by clear and convincing evidence.Subtitle C: Eligible Medical Categories - Provides that the eligible categories under this title are asbestos-related nonmalignant conditions with impairment, asbestos-related mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, and asbestos-related other cancer.Subtitle D: Funding - Authorizes appropriations.Subtitle E: Transition - States that this title shall be effective upon enactment with respect to any civil action asserting an asbestos claim in which trial has not commenced.Subtitle F: Definitions - Defines terms, including "clinical evidence of asbestos" and "pulmonary function testing."Subtitle G: Miscellaneous Provisions - Describes the applicability of other Federal laws. Requires annual reports.Title IV: Employees Exposed to Toxic Substances and Heavy Metals - Allows claims for compensation for illnesses, impairments, diseases, or death for which the claimant can establish that exposure to a hazardous substance occurred while a covered employee at a Department of Energy facility at Los Alamos and that such exposure was a contributing factor to the illness, disease, or death. Provides for the establishment of physicians panels for claims evaluations.
People & committees
Rep. Udall, Tom [D-NM-3] · D–NM
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Human Resources.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E585)
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, and Ways and Means, 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.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, and Ways and Means, 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.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, and Ways and Means, 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.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, and Ways and Means, 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.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2184)
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Mar 23, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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