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DOL/OWCP RIN: 1240-AA04 Publication ID: Spring 2013 
Title: Regulations Implementing Amendments to the Black Lung Benefits Act: Determining Coal Miners and Survivors Entitlement to Benefits 
Abstract: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) of 2010 amended the Black Lung Benefits Act, 30 U.S.C. 901 to 944, to reinstate two methods of establishing entitlement that were repealed with respect to claims filed after 1981. Specifically, the PPACA reinstated 30 U.S.C. 921(c)(4)(presumption of total disability or death due to pneumoconiosis arising out of coal mine employment where the miner had 15 years of coal mine employment and proof of total disability) and 30 U.S.C. 932(l) (automatic entitlement to benefits for eligible survivors of miners who were awarded benefits based on lifetime claims). The newly amended statutory provisions apply to claims filed after January 1, 2005, that are pending on or after PPACA's March 23, 2010, enactment date, and to all claims filed on or after March 23, 2010. This final rule will define the class of claims affected by the amendments and set the criteria for establishing entitlement to benefits under the amendments. 
Agency: Department of Labor(DOL)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 20 CFR 718    20 CFR 725   
Legal Authority: 30 USC 936    30 USC 921   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  03/30/2012  77 FR 19456   
NPRM Comment Period End  05/29/2012 
Final Action  09/00/2013 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined  Government Levels Affected: Undetermined 
Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Steven D. Breeskin
Dir. Div. of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation
Department of Labor
Office of Workers' Compensation Programs
200 Constitution Avenue NW., Suite N-3464,
Washington, DC 20210
Phone:202 693-0978
Fax:202 343-5904
Email: breeskin.steven@dol.gov