HR 8524
Kenya Merritt Renewing our PACT Act of 2026
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Bill overview
This bill, the Kenya Merritt Renewing our PACT Act of 2026, aims to improve workers’ compensation for civilian Federal employees who were exposed to toxic burn pits during their service. It establishes a presumption that certain diseases are proximately caused by employment for eligible employees, defined as those who served in contingency operations for at least 30 days. The bill also creates a list of diseases deemed to be linked to burn pit exposure, aligning with the list used by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and requires the Department of Labor to maintain and update this list.
Key provisions
- Establishes a presumption that certain diseases are caused by employment for eligible Federal employees exposed to burn pits.
- Defines ‘eligible employee’ as those serving in contingency operations for at least 30 days.
- Creates a list of diseases linked to burn pit exposure, aligning with the VA’s list.
- Requires the Department of Labor to maintain and update the list of diseases.
- Applies to claims filed on or after the bill’s enactment date.
- Refers to burn pits as ‘open burn pits’ as defined by the Dignified Burial and Other Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2012.
- Includes Federal law enforcement officers and intelligence community personnel within the definition of ‘eligible employee’.
- Requires a report to Congress on the implementation of the Act.
Who is affected
- Civilian Federal employees
- Department of Justice employees
- Department of State employees
Sponsors
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Primary sponsor
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119th CONGRESS — 2d Session
H. R. 8524
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To amend title 5, United States Code, to improve access to workers’ compensation for civilian Federal employees exposed to toxic burn pits, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the Kenya Merritt Renewing our Promise to Address Chemical Toxicity Act of 2026 Kenya Merritt Renewing our PACT Act of 2026
or the
.
Subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 8143b the following:
In this section:
The term contingency operation has the meaning given the term in section 101 of title 10.
The term Federal law enforcement officer has the meaning given to the term in section 2 of the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery Act of 2008 (34 U.S.C. 50301).
The term intelligence community has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003).
The term open burn pit has the meaning given the term in section 201(c) of the Dignified Burial and Other Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2012 (38 U.S.C. 527 note).
There is established under this section a list of diseases that aligns with the diseases specified in section 1120(b) of title 38, including all diseases with respect to which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs prescribed regulations in the manner described in paragraph (15) of such section 1120(b) before the date of enactment of this section.
On and after the date of enactment of this section, a disease may not be added to the list established under paragraph (1) unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs adds that disease to the list under section 1120(b) of title 38 pursuant to regulations described in paragraph (15) of such section 1120(b).
Not later than 90 days after the date that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs finalizes regulations described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary of Labor shall, by direct final rule, add the same disease to the list established under paragraph (1).
The Secretary of Labor shall maintain the list established and updated under this subsection.
The table of sections for subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 8143b the following:
The amendments made by this section shall apply to a claim for compensation filed on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives a report on the progress of implementing this Act and the amendments made by this Act, including the number of individuals who are eligible employees, as defined in section 8143c(a) of title 5, United States Code, as added by subsection (a) of this section.