In 1990, congress passed a bill known as the radiation exposure compensation act reca. On october 5, 1990, congress passed the radiation exposure compensation act reca, 42 u. Benefits overview for radiation exposure public health. On july 10, 2000, the radiation exposure compensation act amendments of 2000 were enacted, providing expanded coverage to individuals who developed one of the diseases specified in the amended act following exposure to radiation related to the federal governments atmospheric nuclear weapons program or as a result of employment in the uranium. Exposure to radiation, even to small amounts of radiation over a long time, raises. Jun 30, 2018 the bipartisan legislation was introduced in january 2017 to expand compensation under the act to victims of radiation exposure, including those who worked in uranium mines after 1971 in northwest new mexico and those exposed to radiation from testing sites in the west and the pacific islands. Radiation exposure compensation act amendments of 2000.
Extend compensation to employees of mines and mills employed after dec. The head notes are grouped under the following subheadings. Vas changes ensure equity between veterans and federal civilians who may be entitled to compensation for these cancers caused by radiation under comparable federal laws such as the radiation exposure compensation act reca of 1990, as amended in 2000. This unique statute was designed to serve as an expeditious, lowcost alternative to litigation. Aug 28, 2002 claims under the radiation exposure compensation act amendments of 2000. Inventory of radiation records from governor matheson, 19501983 utah state archives.
The radiation exposure screening and education program resep is a federal grant program established in 2000 to provide outreach, education, prevention, and early detection of cancers and diseases caused by radiation exposure from nuclear weapons testing and the uranium mining industry. Uranium mine and mill workers and downwind communities shouldered an unfair burden of pollution and exposure to radiation in order to produce the materials needed to fuel the u. Radiation exposure compensation act below are the head notes for the fab decisions and orders relating to the topic heading, radiation exposure compensation act. Officials seek support for radiation exposure compensation. Radiation exposure compensation act amendments of 2000 reca. The trust fund compensates individuals who contract cancer or other diseases as a result of their. Over 200 pages long, the guide is a resource for individuals and public interest groups seeking information on the department of energys historical, current, and. The acts scope of coverage was broadened on july 10, 2000. Frequently asked questions official web site of the u. Our reca claims lawyers are offering a free initial legal consultation to uranium industry workers and any other individuals who may be eligible for compensation under this legislation. Bipartisan group of senators reintroduce reca amendments act. Rep patsy mink dhi introduced on march 2, 1999 to cover claims for injuries due to exposure to radiation from nuclear testing. S 1515 was signed into law pl 106245 by president clinton on july 10, 2000. By law, compensation for illnesses attributed to ionizing radiation is based on maximum estimated doses and standard risk coefficients, with considerable benefit of the doubt given to claimants when there is uncertainty.
The radiationexposed veterans compensation act of 1988 revca was enacted to provide a presumption of service connection for disability compensation to american veterans who developed certain cancers following exposure during service to ionizing radiation generated by the detonation of atomic explosives during world war ii and the subsequent. Reca expansion bill reintroduced cold war patriots. Project resources marriott library the university of utah. These include, in order of enactment, the veterans dioxin and radiation exposure compensation act 1984, the radiationexposed veterans compensation act of 1988 revca, reca origin 1990. Cdc niosh radiation dose reconstruction reca section 5. Radiation exposure compensation act department of justice. On october 15, 1990, the radiation exposure compensation act reca was enacted providing for payments to individuals who contracted certain cancers and other serious diseases presumably as a result of their exposure to radiation released during aboveground nuclear weapons tests or as a result of their employment associated with the uranium mining industry during the cold war era. In 2000, additional amendments were passed which added two new claimant categories uranium mill and ore workers, both eligible to receive as much. Thyroid disease associate with exposure to the nevada nuclear weapons test site radiation joseph l. Sep 28, 2015 the energy employees occupational illness compensation program act of 2000 eeoicpa or the act, as amended, established a compensation program for the civilian men and women who, over the past 50 years, have performed duties uniquely related to the nuclear weapons production and testing programs of the department of energy doe and its predecessor agencies. Compensable illnesses under section 5, consequential illnesses, effect of award under section 4, section 5 claims under part. The united states radiation exposure compensation act reca is a federal statute providing for the monetary compensation of people who contracted cancer and a number of other specified diseases as a direct result of their exposure to atmospheric nuclear testing undertaken by the united states during the cold war, or their exposure to high levels of radon while working in uranium mines.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the radiation exposure compensation act amendments of 1999, the attorney general shall issue revised regulations to carry out this act. A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext. On october 15, 1990, in order to establish a procedure to make partial restitution to these victims for their suffering associated with the radiation exposure, the radiation exposure compensation act reca was enacted. The radiation exposure compensation act amendments of 2000 added two new categories of workers eligible for federal compensation. Apr 24, 20 specifically, the radiation exposure compensation act amendments of 20 would. The utah campaign to abolish nuclear weapons is a collection of concerned citizens who join a growing and diverse group of leaders and fellow citizens from across the political spectrum who believe that now is the time for the united states to lead the world in nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament. At its top level, it divides the world of legislation into fifty topicallyorganized titles, and each title is further subdivided into any number of logical subtopics. The following year, congress adopted a series of amendments to the reca. Federal register radiation exposure compensation act. The radiation exposure compensation act reca provides compensation to individuals who contracted certain cancers and other serious diseases as a result of their exposure to radiation released during aboveground nuclear weapons tests or as a result of their exposure to radiation during employment in underground uranium mines. The radiation exposure compensation act uses the following definition.
Radiation exposure compensation act, public law 101426, 104 stat. Department of labor office of workers compensation. Reca radiation exposure compensation act atomic shadows. Radiationexposed veterans compensation act revca the radiationexposed veterans compensation act of 1988 revca h. Home page of utah campaign to abolish nuclear weapons. Radiation exposure compensation act fact sheet mase. Hyde, from the committee on the judiciary, submitted the following r e p o r t to accompany s. Hr 930 would remove the requirement that exposure resulting in stomach cancer occur before. Covid19 pandemic places downwinders at greater than normal risk members of the tbdc steering committee have been working since march on a letter to the us congressional leadership requesting that they add the radiation exposure compensation act reca amendments in house bill, hr 3783 to any of the upcoming covid19 relief bills under consideration.
News releases office of public and intergovernmental affairs. Pursuant to the radiation exposure compensation act amendments of 2000, p. Inventory of sheep radiation studies from department of health, 19531955 utah state archives. The following models are used to assess risk riskthe probability of injury, disease or death from exposure to a hazard. Reca covers situations where the disease was caused due to exposure during employment in uranium. The radiation exposure compensation act reca was enacted in 1990 p. The united states code is meant to be an organized, logical compilation of the laws passed by congress. To learn how you can benefit from our decades of legal experience, just fill out our online form or.
Jan 01, 2008 recp began processing claims in april 1992. The 2000 amendments also mandate that we periodically. The act offers an apology and monetary compensation to individuals or their survivors who have contracted certain cancers and other serious diseases following exposure to radiation released during aboveground atmospheric nuclear weapons tests or following their employment in the uranium production industry during specified periods. Radiation exposure compensation act claims form reca. In this chapter, we describe the radiation exposure compensation act reca. In the palomares case, alpha activity in urine fell far faster than predicted by plutonium biokinetic excretion models used at the. Under current law, all claims under reca must be submitted on or before the program sunset date of july 9, 2022. Radiation exposure compensation act concerned citizens for.
Ten years later, in 2000, the law was amended to correct widely perceived problems. The bipartisan legislation was introduced in january 2017 to expand compensation under the act to victims of radiation exposure, including those who worked in uranium mines after 1971 in northwest new mexico and those exposed to radiation from testing sites in. A bill to amend the radiation exposure compensation act, and for other purposes. The act presents an apology and monetary compensation to individuals who contracted certain cancers and other serious diseases. Box 1890 shiprock, nm 87420 5053681260 reca justification 2014 presidents reca trust fund. The radiation exposed veterans compensation act of 1988 revca was enacted to provide a presumption of service connection for disability compensation to american veterans who developed certain cancers following exposure during service to ionizing radiation generated by the detonation of atomic explosives during world war ii and the subsequent. Builtin evaluation mechanisms are needed for all compensation programs to. Specifically, the radiation exposure compensation act amendments of 20 would. The radiation exposure compensation act the act or reca, 42 u. By law, claims under reca not filed within 22 years after july 10, 2000 shall be. Radiation exposure compensation act amendments of 2000 2000. Congress in 1990, and amended in 2000 to include uranium mill and ore workers to the list of individuals eligible for compensation.
Radiationexposed veterans compensation act revcastephens. Subpart c eligibility criteria for claims relating to certain specified diseases contracted after exposure in an affected area downwinders 79. The citizens guide describes the inl sites operating history, radioactive waste hazards, superfund cleanup process and health studies. Free consultation radiation exposure compensation act. On july 10, 2000, the radiation exposure compensation act. Claims under the radiation exposure compensation act. Veterans and others who develop certain diseases following their exposure to radiation released during atmospheric nuclear weapons tests may be eligible for compensation under the radiation exposure compensation act reca. The united states radiation exposure compensation act reca is a federal statute providing. The department of justice oversees the reca program. Radiation exposure compensation act claims form reca attorneys.
May 19, 2020 the act presents an apology and monetary compensation to individuals who contracted certain cancers and other serious diseases. Our mission is to protect all living beings and the environment from the effects of radioactive and other hazardous materials now and in the future. This bill amends the radiation exposure compensation act to extend the radiation exposure compensation trust fund until 19 years after this bills enactment. These are individuals who began working in uranium mines and mills after the u. Resep is a federal grant program established in 2000 to provide outreach. Employees occupational illness compensation program act of 2000 as. The united states radiation exposure compensation act reca is a federal statute providing for the monetary compensation of people, including atomic veterans, who contracted cancer and a number of other specified diseases as a direct result of their exposure to atmospheric nuclear testing undertaken by the united states during the cold war, or their exposure to radon gas and other radioactive.
Box 146, ben franklin station washington, dc 200440146 for information from the navajo nation, contact. The radiation exposure compensation program recp was established by the attorney general and began processing. A claim will be barred unless the claim is filed within 22 years after enactment of the radiation exposure compensation act of amendments of 2000 p. Reca provided that the attorney general be responsible for processing and adjudicating claims under the act. Environmental defense institute publications citizens guide to the idaho national laboratory. Radiation exposure compensation program recp, which is. History of dose, risk, and compensation assessments for us v. This law required the federal government to compensate individuals who developed disease due to unintended exposure to radiation from atomic testing fallout.