Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments of 2021

Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments of 2021

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

First, the bill expands and extends a program that compensates individuals who were exposed to radiation from atmospheric nuclear testing or other sources and subsequently developed specified cancers. Under current law, this program compensates individuals who were present in a designated geographic area during a period of nuclear testing and certain individuals employed in uranium mining. The bill

• expands the designated areas to include Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, and Guam and additional areas in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah;
• makes more individuals who worked in uranium mining eligible for the program;
• increases the amount of compensation awarded to and provides medical benefits for eligible claimants; and
• extends for 19 years following the bill's enactment the fund that supports this program and the statute of limitations for filing claims (currently, the program terminates on July 10, 2022).

Second, the bill makes certain individuals employed in uranium mines or mills eligible for a program that compensates workers, including Department of Energy employees and contractors, for illnesses caused by occupational exposure to radiation and hazardous substances during development and testing of the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile.

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

Bill 117 HR 5338, also known as the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments of 2021, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to amend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to expand eligibility for compensation for individuals who were exposed to radiation as a result of nuclear testing and uranium mining during the Cold War era.

The bill seeks to provide compensation to individuals who were affected by radiation exposure in areas such as Nevada, Arizona, and Utah, as well as workers in uranium mines and mills. It also aims to extend the time period for which individuals can file claims for compensation under the RECA.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions to increase the maximum amount of compensation available to eligible individuals and to streamline the claims process to make it easier for individuals to receive the compensation they are entitled to. Overall, the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments of 2021 seeks to provide support and compensation to individuals who have suffered as a result of radiation exposure during the Cold War era, and to ensure that they receive the assistance they need to address the health issues and other challenges they may face as a result of their exposure.