Restoring adequate benefit adjustments for miners suffering from black lung disease and for their dependent family members

Section 412(a) of the Black Lung Benefits Act (30 U.S.C. 922(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following: (1) In the case of total disability of a miner due to pneumoconiosis, the disabled miner shall be paid benefits during the disability— (A) for any calendar year preceding January 1, 2026, at a rate equal to 37 ½ percent of the monthly pay rate for Federal employees in grade GS–2, step 1; (B) for the calendar year beginning on January 1, 2026, at a rate of $10,769.00 per year, payable in 12 equal monthly payments; and (C) for each calendar year thereafter, at a rate equal to the product of the rate in effect under this paragraph for the calendar year immediately preceding such calendar year multiplied by the ratio (not less than 1) of— (i) the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, for the calendar year immediately preceding such calendar year; to (ii) such Consumer Price Index for the second calendar year preceding such calendar year..