Additional classes of individuals as eligible applicants; establishment of discretionary authority

(a) Leukemia age restrictions Section 5A(e)(1) of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (Public Law 101–426; 42 U.S.C. 2210 note) is amended by striking the initial exposure occurred after 20 years of age and. (b) Physical presence requirements Section 5A(f)(1) of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (Public Law 101–426; 42 U.S.C. 2210 note) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (A) by striking 2 years and inserting 1 year; and (2) in subparagraph (B) by striking 2 years and inserting 1 year. (c) Authority The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (Public Law 101–426; 42 U.S.C. 2210 note) is amended— (1) by redesignating sections 7 through 13 as sections 8 through 14, respectively; and (2) by inserting after section 6 the following: 7. Designation of additional classes of individuals (a) Advice on additional individuals (1) The Attorney General shall advise the President whether there is a class of individuals who likely were exposed to radiation as a result of atmospheric nuclear testing, uranium mining, uranium milling, uranium core drilling, or Manhattan Project waste disposal but who are not currently eligible for compensation under this Act. (2) The advice of the Attorney General under paragraph (1) shall be based on exposure assessments by radiation health professionals, information provided by the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Health and Human Services and such other information as the Attorney General considers appropriate. (3) The President shall request advice under paragraph (1) after consideration of petitions by classes of individuals described in that paragraph for such advice. The President shall consider such petitions pursuant to procedures established by the President. (b) Designation of additional individuals Subject to the provisions of this Act, the members of a class of individuals who likely were exposed to radiation as a result of atmospheric nuclear testing, uranium mining, uranium milling, uranium core drilling, or Manhattan Project waste disposal, may be treated as members of the petitioner cohort eligible under an existing claimant category, or if needed, a new claimant category for purposes of the compensation program if the President, upon recommendation of the Attorney General, determines that— (1) such class of individuals are not currently covered under this Act; (2) there is a reasonable likelihood that such radiation dose may have endangered the health of members of the class; and (3) such a determination is aligned with the purposes of this Act. (c) Deadlines (1) Not later than 180 days after the date on which the President receives a petition for designation as members of the petitioner cohort, the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to the Attorney General a recommendation on that petition, including all supporting documentation. (2) Upon receipt by the President of a recommendation of the Attorney General that the President should determine in the affirmative that paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) apply to a class, the President shall have a period of 30 days in which to determine whether such paragraphs apply to the class and to submit that determination (whether affirmative or negative) to Congress..