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S. 243 · Where this bill is now

In committee

Introduced in the Senate, Jan 24, 2025

What this bill does

In plain words · AI-written from the official summary

Expands radiation exposure compensation programs

This bill expands and reauthorizes federal programs that pay people who were exposed to radiation during nuclear testing or uranium mining and developed certain health conditions like cancer. It broadens who qualifies for compensation by extending the dates of eligible exposure, allowing people with mixed uranium mining work histories to apply, adding core drilling as a recognized mining job, and increasing payment amounts. The bill also adds new areas in Alaska, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee where people exposed to Manhattan Project waste can receive compensation, and gives people more time to file claims.

How it affects you

This directly affects people exposed to radiation during nuclear tests or uranium mining, as well as former Department of Energy workers with occupational illnesses. These individuals may now qualify for compensation they previously didn't, receive higher payment amounts, or have more time to file claims. The bill also funds colleges to study the long-term health effects of uranium mining exposure.

Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Jan 24, 2025)

Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act This bill reauthorizes and expands programs that compensate individuals who were exposed to radiation during certain nuclear testing or uranium mining and who subsequently developed medical conditions, including cancers.

Under current law, compensation is payable to individuals based on requirements including the (1) dates when exposure occurred, (2) duration of exposure, (3) type of exposure, and (4) resulting medical condition.

Among other changes to this program, the bill (1) extends the eligible dates when qualifying atmospheric exposure occurred, (2) authorizes compensation to individuals with combined work histories in uranium mining, (3) adds core drilling as an eligible mining occupation, and (4) increases the amount of compensation awarded to qualifying individuals.

The bill also expands this program to compensate individuals located in specified areas in Alaska, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee associated with waste from the Manhattan Project and who subsequently developed specified types of cancer.

The bill extends until five years after this bill's enactment the statute of limitations for the filing of claims.

The bill also expands eligibility under an existing occupational illness compensation program for former Department of Energy employees.

The bill also establishes a grant program for institutions of higher education to study the epidemiological impacts of uranium mining and milling among individuals without occupational exposure.

The bill directs the Government Accountability Office to study and report to Congress on the unmet medical benefits coverage for individuals who were exposed to radiation in atmospheric nuclear tests conducted by the federal government.

Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.

119th Congress
1st Session
S. 243

A BILL

Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act

In the SenateNo vote yet

Sponsor: Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) · Introduced Jan 24, 2025 · Labor and Employment · 1 version of the text

Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jan 24, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.”

Sections

Sections · 1
Title I — Manhattan Project waste · 3
Title II — Compensation for workers involved in uranium mining and individuals living downwind of atmospheric nuclear testing · 10
S. 243: Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act — Bill Status, Votes and Text · Public Law Tracker