This bill makes it easier for survivors of coal miners to receive Black Lung Benefits by changing how claims are evaluated after a miner's death from pneumoconiosis, a lung disease caused by coal dust exposure. The legislation creates new legal presumptions that a miner's death was caused by pneumoconiosis if the miner had worked in a coal mine for at least ten years or was totally disabled by the disease before death, meaning operators must provide stronger evidence to challenge these claims. The bill also establishes a new payment program within six months of enactment to cover attorneys' fees (up to $4,500 per claim) and medical expenses (up to $3,000 per claim) for survivors pursuing contested benefits, with coal operators required to reimburse the Black Lung Benefits Fund when survivors win their cases. Additionally, the legislation directs the Government Accountability Office to study interim benefit payments, whether current benefit amounts are sufficient, and whether survivors should be allowed to file multiple claims, with reports due to Congress within one year. These changes apply to claims filed within the past five years and all pending claims.
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