Regulations Implementing the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, as Amended; Notice of Public Hearing

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This notice schedules a second public hearing on the proposed regulations implementing the Black Lung Benefits Act which the Employment Standards Administration (ESA) issued on January 22, 1997 (62 FR 3338-3435). The first public hearing is scheduled for June 19, 1997 in Charleston, West Virginia (62 FR 27562; 62 FR 28760). The proposed regulations reflect the program's suggestions for change in the processing and adjudication of individual claims for black lung benefits. The proposal also revises the criteria governing the responsibility of coal mine operators to secure the payment of benefits to their employees and reflects many decisions issued by the Benefits Review Board and U.S. courts of appeals over the past thirteen years. ESA proposed these regulations with the goal of improving services, streamlining the adjudication process and updating the regulations' content. The purpose of the hearings is to receive comments on the proposed changes.