Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation (DCMWC)

The Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation has published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to address several issues that have arisen in administering and adjudicating claims under the Black Lung Benefits Act. The proposed regulations would:

  • Require parties to disclose medical information about the miner developed in connection with a benefits claim
  • Clarify a liable coal mine operator's obligation to pay benefits during post-award modification proceedings
  • Clarify that a supplemental report from an examining physician is a continuation of the physician's earlier report for purposes of the evidence-limiting rules

The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on April 29, 2015. The public may submit comments on the proposed rule online at www.regulations.gov (follow the instructions on that web site) or by the other methods set forth in the NPRM. Comments must be received no later than June 29, 2015.

DOL Press Release on Proposed Rule

Important Reference Materials - Information

RIN 1240-AA10: Access the Fall 2014 Unified Agenda item previously published by the Department of Labor.

80 FR 23743: Access the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the Federal Register's website.

PDF of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking from the DCMWC website.