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• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) on Health Care Employment and Vaccinations and Testing for Large Employers [December 21, 2021]

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  From the Summary: "The OSHA COVID-19 ETS [Occupational Safety and Health Administration Coronavirus Disease 2019 Emergency Temporary Standards] for health care employers requires health care employers to develop COVID-19 plans and protect employees from COVID-19 exposure through health screenings, personal protective equipment (PPE), building ventilation, and physical distancing and barriers. The ETS requires health care employers to remove any employees with COVID-19 from the workplace while providing them with certain benefits. Health care employers are not required to mandate that their employees receive a COVID-19 vaccine but must provide reasonable time off for employees to receive a vaccine and recover from any vaccine-related side effects. The ETS includes new COVID-19 recordkeeping and reporting requirements for health care employers and permits health care employers to forgo the medical evaluation and fit-testing requirements of OSHA's respiratory protection standard when providing respirators to employees in certain circumstances."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2021-12-21
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) on Health Care Employment and Vaccinations and Testing for Large Employers [Updated January 5, 2022]

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  From the Executive Summary: "On June 21, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) promulgated an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for the prevention of the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2], the virus that causes COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] in health care employment settings. On December 27, 2021, OSHA announced that it was withdrawing all provisions of this ETS, with the exception of certain COVID-19 reporting requirements. On November 5, 2021, OSHA promulgated a separate ETS that requires employers with 100 or more employees to require that all employees either be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by January 4, 2022, or test negative for COVID-19 weekly in order to work onsite. On November 6, 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ordered a stay on the OSHA COVID-19 vaccination and testing ETS pending additional judicial review and reaffirmed this stay on November 12, 2021. On December 17, 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit dissolved the stay. After this ruling, OSHA announced that it would not issue any citations for noncompliance with any provision of the ETS until January 10, 2022, and for noncompliance with the testing requirements of the ETS until February 9, 2022, provided employers are exercising good faith efforts to comply with the ETS. On January 7, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on challenges to the ETS filed by several states and other groups."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2022-01-05
• Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) and Public Safety Officers' Educational Assistance (PSOEA) Programs [Updated January 5, 2022]

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  From the Summary: "The Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program provides cash benefits to federal, state, and local law enforcement officers; firefighters; employees of emergency management agencies; and members of emergency medical services agencies who are killed or permanently and totally disabled as the result of personal injuries sustained in the line of duty. The Public Safety Officers' Educational Assistance (PSOEA) program, a component of the PSOB program, provides higher-education assistance to the children and spouses of public safety officers killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. The PSOB and PSOEA programs are administered by the Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). [...] Each year, Congress appropriates funding for PSOB death benefits, which is considered mandatory spending, and for PSOB disability benefits and PSOEA benefits, which is subject to annual appropriations. For FY2022, the one-time lump-sum PSOB death and disability benefit is $389,825 and the PSOEA monthly benefit for a student attending an educational institution full-time is $1,298. Public safety officers who contract Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the line of duty may be eligible for PSOB benefits. The Safeguarding America's First Responders Act [...] provides a presumption of PSOB eligibility for public safety officers who were on duty beginning January 1, 2020. On November 18, 2021, President Joe Biden signed into law the Protecting America's First Responders Act of 2021 [...] which made numerous amendments to the PSOB and PSOEA programs as indicated in various places in this report."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2022-01-05
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) on Health Care Employment and Vaccinations and Testing for Large Employers [Updated January 26, 2022]

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  From the Summary: "On June 21, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) promulgated an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for the prevention of the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2], the virus that causes COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] in health care employment settings. On December 27, 2021, OSHA announced that it was withdrawing all provisions of this ETS, with the exception of certain COVID-19 reporting requirements. On November 5, 2021, OSHA promulgated a separate ETS that requires employers with 100 or more employees to require that all employees either be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by January 4, 2022, or test negative for COVID-19 weekly in order to work onsite. After earlier actions by the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fifth and Sixth Circuits, on January 13, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court granted a stay of the OSHA COVID-19 vaccination and testing ETS pending additional judicial review by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. On January 25, 2022, OSHA announced that it was withdrawing all provisions of this ETS. The ETS will continue to serve as a proposed permanent standard subject to normal rulemaking. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) gives OSHA the ability to promulgate an ETS that would remain in effect for up to six months without going through the normal review and comment process of rulemaking. OSHA, however, has rarely used this authority prior to the COVID-19 pandemic--not since the courts struck down its ETS on asbestos in 1983."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2022-01-26
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) on Health Care Employment and Vaccinations and Testing for Large Employers [Updated December 10, 2021]

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  From the Summary: "On June 21, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) promulgated an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for the prevention of the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2], the virus that causes COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] in health care employment settings. On November 5, 2021, OSHA promulgated an additional ETS that requires employers with 100 or more employees to require that all employees either be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by January 4, 2022, or test negative for COVID-19 weekly in order to work onsite. On November 6, 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ordered a stay on the OSHA COVID-19 vaccination and testing ETS pending additional judicial review and reaffirmed this stay on November 12, 2021. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) gives OSHA the ability to promulgate an ETS that would remain in effect for up to six months without going through the normal review and comment process of rulemaking. OSHA, however, has rarely used this authority in the past--not since the courts struck down its ETS on asbestos in 1983."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2021-12-10
• Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) [Updated February 10, 2022]

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  From the Summary: "During the Cold War, thousands of Americans worked in the development and testing of the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile. Some of these workers were exposed to radiation, beryllium, silica, and other toxic substances that may have contributed to various medical conditions, including different types of cancer. Enacted in 2000, the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA, Title XXXVI of P.L. 106-398) provides cash and medical benefits to former nuclear weapons arsenal workers with covered medical conditions and to their survivors. Part B of EEOICPA provides a fixed amount of compensation and medical coverage to Department of Energy (DOE) employees and contractors, atomic weapons employees, and uranium workers with specified medical conditions, including cancer. [...] Part E of EEOICPA operates similar to a traditional workers' compensation program. It pays variable cash benefits based on impairment and wage loss and provides medical benefits to former DOE contractors and uranium workers exposed to toxic substances on the job. [...] To date, Part B has paid over $7.3 billion in compensation, and Part E has paid more than $5.7 billion in compensation. Combined Parts B and E medical benefits exceed $7.6 billion. The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Fund pays EEOICPA benefits. The fund is financed through general revenues, and it is not subject to annual appropriations. The EEOICPA Office of Ombudsman, which assists claimants and medical providers navigate the program, was scheduled to sunset on October 28, 2020, but was permanently authorized by a provision in the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (P.L. 116-283)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2022-02-10
• Comparison of the World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program and the World Trade Center Health Program Created by Title I of P.L. 111-347, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 [January 25, 2011]

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  "In the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Congress passed appropriations to provide limited health screening and treatment services to persons involved in rescue, recovery, and cleanup operations around the former site of the World Trade Center. This program, now known as the World Trade Center (WTC) Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program (MMTP), is not authorized in statute but rather relies on discretionary appropriations to provide services to eligible individuals. Since its inception in FY2002, the MMTP has received approximately $475 million in federal funds, and over 57,000 responders and community members have met initial eligibility requirements for the program. On January 2, 2011, President Barack Obama signed into law P.L. 111-347, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010. Title I of P.L. 111-347 replaces the MMTP with a program authorized in statute and financed through mandatory federal spending, partially matched by New York City. This program, called the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), will provide full medical screening and treatment benefits to eligible WTC responders and community members beginning in July 2011. In addition, Title I of P.L. 111-347 establishes formal eligibility requirements based on a person's activities after September 11, 2001, and his or her current health conditions. [...] The WTCHP will sunset at the end of FY2016 or FY2015 if a federal spending cap is met. Total federal spending on the program is capped at $1.556 billion over the life of the program."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Lister, Sarah A.; Szymendera, Scott

  2011-01-25
• Comparison of the Current World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program and the World Trade Center Health Program Proposed by Title I of H.R. 847 [December 14, 2010]

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  "In the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on New York City, Congress passed appropriations to provide limited health screening and treatment services to persons involved in rescue, recovery, and cleanup operations around the former site of the World Trade Center. This program, now known as the World Trade Center (WTC) Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program (MMTP), is not authorized in statute but rather relies on discretionary appropriations to provide services to eligible individuals. [...] Title I of H.R. 847, as amended and passed by the House of Representatives, would eliminate the current MMTP and replace it with a program authorized in statute and financed through mandatory federal spending, partially matched by New York City. This program, proposed to be called the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), would provide full medical screening and treatment benefits to eligible WTC responders and community members. [...] The proposed WTCHP would sunset at the end of FY2020, or in FY2019 if a federal spending cap is met. Total federal spending on the program would be capped at $3.348 billion over the life of the program. New York City would contribute 10% of the program's costs until FY2019, after which its contribution would become equal to one-ninth of federal spending in the remaining fiscal years. In addition to persons already receiving services under the MMTP, the WTCHP would serve up to 25,000 new responders and 25,000 new community members. The House of Representatives passed an amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 847 on September 29, 2010. The Senate version of the bill, S. 1334, was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, where it was the subject of a hearing on June 29, 2010. The Senate bill has not otherwise advanced. However, on December 9, 2010, cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 847 was voted on but not invoked in the Senate."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Lister, Sarah A.; Szymendera, Scott

  2010-12-14
• Comparison of the Current World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program and the World Trade Center Health Program Proposed by Title I of H.R. 847 [October 15, 2010]

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  "In the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on New York City, Congress passed appropriations to provide limited health screening and treatment services to persons involved in rescue, recovery, and cleanup operations around the former site of the World Trade Center. This program, now known as the World Trade Center (WTC) Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program (MMTP), is not authorized in statute but rather relies on discretionary appropriations to provide services to eligible individuals. Since its inception in FY2002, the MMTP has received approximately $475 million in federal funds, and over 57,000 responders and community members have met initial eligibility requirements for the program. Title I of H.R. 847, as amended and passed by the House of Representatives, would eliminate the current MMTP and replace it with a program authorized in statute and financed through mandatory federal spending, partially matched by New York City. This program, proposed to be called the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), would provide full medical screening and treatment benefits to eligible WTC responders and community members. In addition, Title I of H.R. 847 would establish formal eligibility requirements based on a person's activities after September 11, 2001, and his or her current health conditions. Health benefits would be provided by a national network of providers, and the program would be administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott; Lister, Sarah A.

  2010-10-15
• Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA): Workers' Compensation for Federal Employees [November 7, 2012]

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  "The Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) is the workers' compensation program for federal employees. Like all workers' compensation programs, FECA pays disability, survivors, and medical benefits, without fault, to employees who are injured or become ill in the course of their federal employment and the survivors of employees killed on the job. The FECA program is administered by the Department of Labor (DOL) and the costs of benefits are paid by each employee's host agency. Employees of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) currently comprise the largest group of FECA beneficiaries and are responsible for the largest share of FECA benefits. [...] In the 112th Congress, several committees have held hearings on the FECA program. These hearings have identified several key policy issues facing the program, including the disproportionate share of claims and program costs attributed to postal workers, the payment of FECA benefits after retirement age, the overall generosity of FECA disability benefits as compared with those offered by the states, and the administration of the FECA program. To address some of these policy issues, committees in the House and Senate passed legislation that would make changes to the FECA program. In the House, H.R. 2309 would set financial conditions under which the USPS would be required to create a new workers' compensation system for its employees. Additional bills, H.R. 2465, passed by the House, and S. 1789, would make changes to the FECA program for all federal employees with the Senate legislation reducing benefit levels for beneficiaries over retirement age and eliminating augmented compensation for dependents. This report will be updated to reflect major legislative activity."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2012-11-07
• Social Security Administration (SSA): Budget Issues [January 25, 2013]

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  "The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers the Old Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Special Benefits for Certain World War II Veterans programs that affect the lives of nearly every American family. These programs pay out more than $800 billion in annual federal benefits. Program benefit costs are considered mandatory spending not subject to annual appropriations. […] This report provides an overview of the SSA's mandatory spending but largely focuses on discretionary appropriations for the agency's administrative expenses. The size of the annual appropriations for administrative expenses affects the agency's ability to effectively administer the SSA's benefit programs as well as conduct program integrity activities designed to ensure that only eligible persons receive federal benefits."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2013-01-25
• Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) [August 5, 2020]

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  From the Introduction: "The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) provides cash benefits and medical coverage to civilians who worked in the development and testing of the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile. Administered by the Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP), with assistance from the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Energy (DOE), and Justice (DOJ), EEOICPA provides benefits under two parts of its statute: Part B and Part E. Part B provides a fixed rate of cash benefits and Part E pays variable benefits based on impairment and wage loss, operating similar to a traditional workers' compensation program. Medical coverage is available under both Parts B and E."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2020-08-05
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) and COVID-19 [March 26, 2020]

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  From the Document: "The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not currently have a specific standard that protects healthcare or other workers from airborne or aerosol transmission of disease or diseases transmitted by airborne droplets. Some in Congress, and some groups representing healthcare and other workers, are calling on OSHA to promulgate an emergency temporary standard (ETS) to protect workers from exposure to SARS-Cov-2, the virus that causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) gives OSHA the ability to promulgate an ETS that would remain in effect for up to six months without going through the normal review and comment process of rulemaking. OSHA, however, has rarely used this authority in the past--not since the courts struck down its ETS on asbestos in 1983."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2020-03-26
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) and COVID-19 [Updated April 8, 2020]

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  From the Summary: "The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not currently have a specific standard that protects healthcare or other workers from airborne or aerosol transmission of disease or diseases transmitted by airborne droplets. Some in Congress, and some groups representing healthcare and other workers, are calling on OSHA to promulgate an emergency temporary standard (ETS) to protect workers from exposure to SARS-Cov-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2], the virus that causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) gives OSHA the ability to promulgate an ETS that would remain in effect for up to six months without going through the normal review and comment process of rulemaking. OSHA, however, has rarely used this authority in the past--not since the courts struck down its ETS on asbestos in 1983."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2020-04-08
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) and COVID-19 [Updated July 27, 2020]

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  From the Document: "The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not currently have a specific standard that protects healthcare or other workers from airborne or aerosol transmission of disease or diseases transmitted by airborne droplets. Some in Congress, and some groups representing healthcare, meat and poultry processing, and other workers, are calling on OSHA to promulgate an emergency temporary standard (ETS) to protect workers from exposure to SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2], the virus that causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) gives OSHA the ability to promulgate an ETS that would remain in effect for up to six months without going through the normal review and comment process of rulemaking. OSHA, however, has rarely used this authority in the past--not since the courts struck down its ETS on asbestos in 1983."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2020-07-27
• Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) and Public Safety Officers' Educational Assistance (PSOEA) Programs [Updated August 19, 2020]

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  From the Summary: "The Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program provides cash benefits to federal, state, and local law enforcement officers; firefighters; employees of emergency management agencies; and members of emergency medical services agencies who are killed or permanently and totally disabled as the result of personal injuries sustained in the line of duty. The Public Safety Officers' Educational Assistance (PSOEA) program, a component of the PSOB program, provides higher-education assistance to the children and spouses of public safety officers killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. [...] Public safety officers who contract Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the line of duty may be eligible for PSOB benefits."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2020-08-19
• OSHA Jurisdiction Over Public Schools and Other State and Local Government Entities [August 13, 2020]

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  From the Document: "As states and their public school systems consider how to provide education to students during the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, they must consider the safety and health of their students and the potential occupational exposure of their teachers and other employees, including support staff and transportation providers, to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the virus that causes COVID-19. In 24 states and the District of Columbia, local educational agencies (LEAs), such as public school districts, and other state and local government entities are not subject to federal regulation, inspection, or enforcement by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or state regulation under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act). LEAs in these states may be covered by OSHA-approved state occupational safety and health plans (state plans) or other state laws."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2020-08-13
• Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) and Public Safety Officers' Educational Assistance (PSOEA) Programs [Updated May 27, 2020]

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  From the Summary: "The Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program provides cash benefits to federal, state, and local law enforcement officers; firefighters; employees of emergency management agencies; and members of emergency medical services agencies who are killed or permanently and totally disabled as the result of personal injuries sustained in the line of duty. The Public Safety Officers' Educational Assistance (PSOEA) program, a component of the PSOB program, provides higher-education assistance to the children and spouses of public safety officers killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. The PSOB and PSOEA programs are administered by the Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). However, claimants dissatisfied with denials of benefits may pursue administrative appeals within DOJ and may seek judicial review before the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2020-05-27
• Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA): Workers' Compensation for Federal Employees [Updated April 13, 2020]

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  From the Summary: "The Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) is the workers' compensation program for federal employees. Like all workers' compensation programs, FECA pays disability, survivors, and medical benefits, without regard to who was at fault, to employees who are injured or become ill in the course of their federal employment and to the survivors of employees killed on the job. The FECA program is administered by the Department of Labor (DOL) and the costs of benefits are paid by each employee's host agency. U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employees currently comprise the largest group of FECA beneficiaries and are responsible for the largest share of FECA benefits."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2020-04-13
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) and COVID-19 [Updated May 28, 2020]

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  From the Summary: "The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not currently have a specific standard that protects healthcare or other workers from airborne or aerosol transmission of disease or diseases transmitted by airborne droplets. Some in Congress, and some groups representing healthcare, meat and poultry processing, and other workers, are calling on OSHA to promulgate an emergency temporary standard (ETS) to protect workers from exposure to SARS-Cov-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] , the virus that causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) gives OSHA the ability to promulgate an ETS that would remain in effect for up to six months without going through the normal review and comment process of rulemaking. OSHA, however, has rarely used this authority in the past--not since the courts struck down its ETS on asbestos in 1983."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2020-05-28
• Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA): Workers' Compensation for Federal Employees [Updated May 26, 2020]

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  From the Document: "The Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) is the workers' compensation program for federal employees. Like all workers' compensation programs, FECA pays disability, survivors, and medical benefits, without regard to who was at fault, to employees who are injured or become ill in the course of their federal employment and to the survivors of employees killed on the job. The FECA program is administered by the Department of Labor (DOL) and the costs of benefits are paid by each employee's host agency. U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employees currently comprise the largest group of FECA beneficiaries and are responsible for the largest share of FECA benefits."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2020-05-26
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) and COVID-19 [Updated October 20, 2020]

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  From the Document: "The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not currently have a specific standard that protects healthcare or other workers from airborne or aerosol transmission of disease or diseases transmitted by airborne droplets. Some in Congress, and some groups representing healthcare, meat and poultry processing, and other workers, are calling on OSHA to promulgate an emergency temporary standard (ETS) to protect workers from exposure to SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2], the virus that causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) gives OSHA the ability to promulgate an ETS that would remain in effect for up to six months without going through the normal review and comment process of rulemaking. OSHA, however, has rarely used this authority in the past--not since the courts struck down its ETS on asbestos in 1983. [...] Through October 1, 2020, OSHA has issued COVID-19-related citations to employers at 62 work sites, with total proposed penalties of $913,133. These citations have been issued for violations of the OSH Act's General Duty Clause and other existing OSHA standards, such as those for respiratory protection, that may apply to COVID-19. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Cory A. Booker have raised concerns about the low amount of penalties being assessed for COVID-19-related violations."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2020-10-20
• Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA): Workers' Compensation for Federal Employees [Updated September 10, 2020]

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  From the Summary: "The Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) is the workers' compensation program for federal employees. Like all workers' compensation programs, FECA pays disability, survivors, and medical benefits, without regard to who was at fault, to employees who are injured or become ill in the course of their federal employment and to the survivors of employees killed on the job. The FECA program is administered by the Department of Labor (DOL) and the costs of benefits are paid by each employee's host agency. U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employees currently comprise the largest group of FECA beneficiaries and are responsible for the largest share of FECA benefits. [...] This report also focuses on several key policy issues facing the program, including the disproportionate share of claims and program costs attributed to postal workers, the payment of FECA benefits after retirement age, the overall level of FECA disability benefits as compared with those offered by the states, the administration of the FECA program, the costs associated with prescriptions for compounded medications, and efforts to limit the use of opioids by FECA beneficiaries."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2020-09-10
• Display of the Confederate Flag at Federal Cemeteries in the United States [May 4, 2016]

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  "The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the National Park Service (NPS), and the Department of the Army all administer federal cemeteries that sometimes display the Confederate flag. There are 147 national cemeteries in the United States. The VA, through its National Cemetery Administration (NCA), administers 131 cemeteries. The Army, in the Department of Defense (DOD), administers 2 national cemeteries, Arlington National Cemetery and Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery. Another 14 national cemeteries are maintained by the NPS, in the Department of the Interior. In addition, the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) operates 25 American military cemeteries in 16 foreign countries. The NPS, the VA, and the Army all have policies concerning the Confederate flag's display. Following the June 17, 2015, shooting deaths of nine people in a historically black church in Charleston, SC [South Carolina], the display of Confederate flags at federal cemeteries came under scrutiny."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Comay, Laura B.; Szymendera, Scott

  2016-05-04
• Display of the Confederate Flag at Federal Cemeteries in the United States [August 31, 2016]

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  "The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the National Park Service (NPS), and the Department of the Army all administer federal cemeteries that sometimes display the Confederate flag. There are 147 national cemeteries in the United States. The VA, through its National Cemetery Administration (NCA), administers 131 cemeteries. The Army, in the Department of Defense (DOD), administers 2 national cemeteries, Arlington National Cemetery and Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery. Another 14 national cemeteries are maintained by the NPS, in the Department of the Interior. In addition, the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) operates 25 American military cemeteries in 16 foreign countries. The NPS, the VA, and the Army all have policies concerning the Confederate flag's display. Following the June 17, 2015, shooting deaths of nine people in a historically black church in Charleston, SC [South Carolina], the display of Confederate flags at federal cemeteries came under scrutiny."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Comay, Laura B.; Szymendera, Scott

  2016-08-31
• Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA): Compensation Related to Exposure to Radiation from Atomic Weapons Testing and Uranium Mining [Updated January 13, 2021]

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  From the Summary: "The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) provides one-time benefit payments to persons who may have developed cancer or other specified diseases after being exposed to radiation from atomic weapons testing or uranium mining, milling, or transporting. Administered by the Department of Justice (DOJ), RECA has awarded over $2.4 billion in benefits to more than 37,000 claimants since its inception in 1990. The RECA program is scheduled to sunset in 2022. RECA benefits are available to the following groups: (1) onsite participants--$75,000 to persons who participated onsite in the atmospheric test of an atomic weapon and developed one of the types of cancers specified in the statute; (2) downwinders--$50,000 to persons who were present in one of the specified areas near the Nevada Test Site during a period of atmospheric atomic weapons testing and developed one of the types of cancers specified in the statute; and (3) uranium miners, millers, and ore transporters--$100,000 to persons who worked in mining, milling, or transportation of uranium between 1942 and 1971 and developed one of the types of diseases specified in the statute. The RECA statute was last amended in 2000. Since then, Congress has frequently considered legislation to expand the downwinder-eligibility area by making persons who were affected in other states during periods of atmospheric atomic weapons testing eligible for benefits and by allowing uranium miners, millers, and ore transporters to qualify for benefits based on work after 1971. However, an expansion of the downwinder-eligibility area is not supported by a congressionally mandated National Research Council report on atomic test fallout, and the inclusion of post-1971 uranium work, which was largely for commercial rather than governmental purposes, is not consistent with the program's stated intent."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2021-01-13
• Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA): Compensation Related to Exposure to Radiation from Atomic Weapons Testing and Uranium Mining [March 24, 2015]

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  "The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) provides one-time benefit payments to persons who may have developed cancer or other specified diseases after being exposed to radiation from atomic weapons testing or uranium mining, milling, or transporting. Administered by the Department of Justice (DOJ), RECA has awarded nearly $2 billion in benefits to more than 30,000 claimants since its inception in 1990. The RECA program is scheduled to sunset in 2022. RECA benefits are available to the following groups: [1] onsite participants--$75,000 to persons who participated onsite in the atmospheric test of an atomic weapon and developed one of the types of cancers specified in the statute; [2] downwinders--$50,000 to persons who were present in one of the specified areas near the Nevada Test Site during a period of atmospheric atomic weapons testing and developed one of the types of cancers specified in the statute; and [3] uranium miners, millers, and ore transporters--$100,000 to persons who worked in mining, milling, or transportation of uranium between 1942 and 1971 and developed one of the types of diseases specified in the statute. The RECA statute was last amended in 2000. Since then, Congress has frequently considered legislation to expand the downwinder-eligibility area by making persons who were affected in other states during periods of atmospheric atomic weapons testing eligible for benefits and by allowing uranium miners, millers, and ore transporters to qualify for benefits based on work after 1971."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2015-03-24
• OSHA Jurisdiction Over Public Schools and Other State and Local Government Entities: COVID-19 Issues [Updated February 11, 2021]

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  From the Document: "As states and their public school systems consider how to provide education to students during the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, they face the safety and health of their students and the potential occupational exposure of their teachers and other employees, including support staff and transportation providers, to the SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] virus, the virus that causes COVID-19. In 24 states and the District of Columbia, local educational agencies (LEAs),such as public school districts, and other state and local government entities are not subject to federal regulation, inspection, or enforcement by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or state regulation under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act). LEAs in these states may be covered by OSHA-approved state occupational safety and health plans (state plans) or other state laws."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2021-02-11
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) and COVID-19 [Updated July 13, 2021]

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  From the Summary: "On June 21, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) promulgated an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for the prevention of the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2], the virus that causes COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] in health care employment settings. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) gives OSHA the ability to promulgate an ETS that would remain in effect for up to six months without going through the normal review and comment process of rulemaking. OSHA, however, has rarely used this authority in the past--not since the courts struck down its ETS on asbestos in 1983. The OSHA COVID-19 ETS requires health care employers to develop COVID-19 plans and protect employees from COVID-19 exposure through health screenings, personal protective equipment (PPE), building ventilation, and physical distancing and barriers. The ETS requires healthcare employers to remove any employees with COVID-19 from the workplace while providing them with certain benefits. Health care employers are not required to mandate that their employees receive a COVID-19 vaccine but must provide reasonable time off for employees to receive a vaccine and recover from any vaccine-related side effects. The ETS includes new COVID-19 recordkeeping and reporting requirements for health care employers and permits health care employers to forgo the medical evaluation and fit-testing requirements of OSHA's respiratory protection standard when providing respirators to employees in certain circumstances."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2021-07-13
• OSHA Jurisdiction Over Public Schools and Other State and Local Government Entities: COVID-19 Issues [Updated September 13, 2021]

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  From the Document: "As states and their public school systems consider how to provide education to students during the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, they face concerns about the safety and health of their students and the potential occupational exposure of their teachers and other employees, including support staff and transportation providers, to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the virus that causes COVID-19. Local educational agencies (LEAs), such as public school districts, and other state and local government entities are not subject to federal regulation, inspection, or enforcement by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). However, in 26 states and two territories, LEAs are covered by OSHA-approved state plans as discussed below. On September 9, 2021, President Joe Biden announced that OSHA is developing an emergency temporary standard (ETS) that would obligate employers with more than 100 employees to require their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or be tested weekly for COVID-19. This ETS would not apply to public schools, except in those states with OSHA-approved state plans as described later in this In Focus[.]"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2021-09-13