This bill amends the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to expand eligibility for radiation exposure benefits to additional communities affected by nuclear testing. Specifically, it removes geographic restrictions that previously limited compensation to certain townships and ranges, and broadens coverage to include all acreage in any county that is partially located in affected areas. The legislation targets "downwinders"—people exposed to radiation fallout from nuclear weapons testing conducted by the U.S. government, particularly during the Cold War era. The bill requires the Attorney General to submit a report to Congress within 60 days of enactment outlining plans to educate and conduct outreach to the newly eligible individuals so they can claim their benefits. This expansion aims to provide parity by ensuring that all communities impacted by nuclear testing have access to the same compensation programs.
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