S. 3491
Introduced in Senate · January 10, 2026December 16, 2025
Mr. Kaine (for himself, Mr. Warner, and Mr. Fetterman) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
A BILL
To ensure that claims for benefits under the Black Lung Benefits Act are processed in a fair and timely manner, to better protect miners from pneumoconiosis (commonly known as “black lung disease”), and for other purposes.
1. Short title; 2. Table of contents; 3. Findings; TITLE I—BLACK LUNG BENEFITS; PART A—IMPROVING THE PROCESS FOR FILING AND ADJUDICATING CLAIMS FOR BENEFITS; 101. Providing assistance with claims for miners and their dependent family members; 102. Clarifying eligibility for black lung benefits; 103. Development of medical evidence by the Secretary; 104. False statements or misrepresentations, attorney disqualification, and discovery sanctions; 105. Readjudicating cases involving certain chest radiographs; 106. Attorneys’ fees and medical expenses payment program; 107. Restoring adequate benefit adjustments for miners suffering from black lung disease and for their dependent family members; 108. Disclosure of employment and earnings information for black lung benefits claims; PART B—REPORTS TO IMPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION OF BENEFITS UNDER THE BLACK LUNG BENEFITS ACT; 121. Strategy to reduce delays in adjudication; PART C—IMPROVEMENT IN THE FINANCIAL SECURITY OF THE BLACK LUNG BENEFITS DISABILITY TRUST FUND; 131. Policies for securing the payment of benefits; TITLE II—ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION PROGRAMS; 201. Office of Workers' Compensation Programs; TITLE III—ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS; 301. Technical and conforming amendments; 302. Severability
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,