Bill > S1423

This bill, titled the Toxic Substances and Worker Health Advisory Board Act, aims to improve the handling of claims for illnesses suffered by employees working with toxic substances, particularly those involved in energy production. It proposes establishing an Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health, which will be appointed by the President within 120 days of the bill's enactment and will include members with expertise from scientific, medical, legal, worker, and advocate communities. This Board will have several key duties, including advising the President on the review and approval of the Department of Labor's site exposure matrix, conducting peer reviews of medical guidance for "part E claims" (which refer to claims for illnesses related to beryllium exposure under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act), and reviewing evidentiary requirements for "part B claims" (which generally cover lung diseases for energy workers). The Board will also oversee industrial hygienists and Department of Labor physicians to ensure the quality and consistency of their reports, and will coordinate data sharing with another existing advisory board. The bill also mandates that the Department of Labor respond in writing to the annual report from the Office of the Ombudsman, detailing whether they agree with the issues raised and what actions will be taken, and this response will be posted online.