National Workers' Compensation Act

Summary

National Workers' Compensation Act - Declares the findings of Congress that existing State workers' compensation laws are inadequate and that basic, national minimum requirements for State workers' compensation laws must be mandated and enforced by Congress for the protection of workers who are injured, or killed, or who contract diseases in the course of their employment. States that it is the purpose of this Act: (1) to establish minimum workers' compensation laws; (2) to establish procedures for their enforcement; and (3) to assist the States in improving existing workers' compensation systems in order to provide a uniform system of compensation, and to restore disabled workers to the fullest possible physical, mental, and economic usefulness through medical and vocational rehabilitation services. Defines the terms used in this Act. States that this Act applies to all employers and all employees. Enumerates the States in which an injured employee or the survivors of a deceased employee may claim benefits when injury or death occurred during the work-related travel of the employee. Enumerates workers' compensation benefits for any employee who becomes disabled or the survivor of any employee who dies due to any injury arising out of and in the course of employment. Sets forth the time limits for filing claims under this Act. Authorizes and directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to undertake a study of diseases related to employment, and recommend standards for determining: (1) whether such disease arose out of employment; and (2) whether death or disease was due to such employment. Sets forth administrative requirements for State workers' compensation agencies. Includes requirements: (1) that a single State agency be designated for administering workers' compensation law throughout the State; (2) that such agency maintain a rehabilitation services unit; and (3) that the hiring of qualified handicapped workers be encouraged. Provides for adjudication of disputed compensation cases in Federal district courts when the amount in controversy exceeds $10,000. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to enforce the provisions of this Act through action in the Federal district courts. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States to assist them in carrying out the provisions of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated through fiscal year 1978 such sums as may be necessary to carry out the program of grants. Directs the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, to develop and maintain a program of collection and analyses of workers' compensation statistics. Grants access to books, documents, papers and records of any grantee under this Act to the Secretary of Labor and the Comptroller General. Directs the Secretary to submit an annual report to the Congress on the subject matter of this Act. Establishes the National Workers' Compensation Advisory Commission. Defines the composition of the group. Directs the Commission to monitor the progress of the States in implementing the provisions of the Act and to advise the Secretary of compliance or noncompliance by the States, and to make recommendations for improving workers' compensation programs including recommendations for determining the compensation payable for permanent partial disability. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.

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1 official file

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 26 June 1975

  Open at official source

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