I 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4264 
To provide for resolution of certain discrimination claims against the 
Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 10, 2009 
Ms. DELAURO (for herself and Ms. ESHOO) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition 
to the Committees on Agriculture and Ways and Means, for a period to 
be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consider-
ation of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
concerned 
A BILL 
To provide for resolution of certain discrimination claims 
against the Department of Agriculture, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Equality for Women 
Farmers Act’’. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
21:02 Dec 12, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4264.IH
H4264
pwalker on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with BILLS
SEC. 
2. 
RESOLUTION 
OF 
CERTAIN 
DISCRIMINATION 
CLAIMS AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT OF AG-
RICULTURE. 
(a) NOTICE TO POTENTIAL CLAIMANTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Within 120 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall attempt to notify each person who may be an 
eligible claimant of the opportunity, during the 3- 
year period that begins with such date of enactment, 
to submit a claim under this section for damages re-
sulting from discrimination described in section 6(4). 
(2) METHODS.—The Secretary shall provide the 
notice— 
(A) by United States mail and electronic 
mail, to each such person whose address can be 
determined from the records of the Department 
or records provided by counsel for eligible 
claimants; and 
(B) by posting in public places, such as 
local Farm Service Agency offices and on the 
website of the Department, in a manner des-
ignated to reach all such persons. 
(b) SUBMISSION OF CLAIMS.—A person desiring to 
submit a claim under this section shall file with the Special 
Master a sworn statement that contains the following: 
(1) The full name of the person. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
21:02 Dec 12, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4264.IH
H4264
pwalker on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with BILLS
(2) The mailing address of the person. 
(3) To the best of the person’s ability, each 
date in the claims period on which the person re-
quested from, or submitted to, the Department an 
application for a farm loan, farm loan servicing, or 
a disaster loan. 
(4) With respect to each such request or sub-
mission— 
(A) the identity of the office of the Depart-
ment to which the request or submission was 
originally made; 
(B) the type of loan or loan servicing 
sought, including a copy of any document sub-
mitted; 
(C) the amount of damages suffered by the 
person as a result of the failure of the Depart-
ment to provide, act on, or approve (in whole or 
in part) the application; and 
(D) a claim for compensation for the dam-
ages. 
(c) PROCESSING OF CLAIMS.— 
(1) PERSONNEL.— 
(A) FMCS APPOINTEES.— 
(i) SPECIAL
MASTER.—Within 60 
days after the date of the enactment of 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
21:02 Dec 12, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4264.IH
H4264
pwalker on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with BILLS
this Act, the Federal Mediation and Con-
ciliation Service (in this subparagraph re-
ferred to as the ‘‘FMCS’’) shall appoint a 
Special Master to process, review, and ad-
judicate claims under this section. 
(ii) ASSISTANT SPECIAL MASTERS.— 
At the request of the Special Master, the 
FMCS shall designate assistant special 
masters, as necessary, to assist the Special 
Master in processing, reviewing, and adju-
dicating claims under this section. 
(iii) 
COMPENSATION.—From 
funds 
made available to carry out this section, 
the Special Master and any assistant spe-
cial masters designated under this para-
graph shall be paid on an hourly basis, 
consistent with the payment processes and 
procedures of the FMCS, for services pro-
vided under this section. 
(B) DEPARTMENTAL EMPLOYEES.—On re-
quest of the Special Master, the Secretary may 
detail employees of the Office of Civil Rights of 
the Department to assist persons who request 
assistance in submitting claims under this sec-
tion. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
21:02 Dec 12, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4264.IH
H4264
pwalker on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with BILLS