(iv) in the tenth sentence, by striking 
‘‘he’’ each place it appears and inserting 
‘‘the Secretary’’; and 
(13) in section 430 (30 U.S.C. 940)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘1977 and’’ and inserting 
‘‘1977,’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘1981’’ and inserting 
‘‘1981, and the Black Lung Benefits Improve-
ment Act of 2015, and any amendments made 
after the date of enactment of such Act,’’. 
SEC. 112. READJUDICATING CASES INVOLVING CERTAIN 
CHEST RADIOGRAPHS. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COVERED CHEST RADIOGRAPH.—The term 
‘‘covered 
chest 
radiograph’’ 
means 
a 
chest 
radiograph that was interpreted as negative for sim-
ple pneumoconiosis, complicated pneumoconiosis, or 
progressive massive fibrosis by a physician with re-
spect to whom the Secretary has directed, in writing 
and after an evaluation by the Secretary, that such 
physician’s 
negative 
interpretations 
of 
chest 
radiographs not be credited, except where subse-
quently determined to be credible by the Secretary 
in evaluating a claim for benefits under the Black 
Lung Benefits Act (30 U.S.C. 901 et seq.). 
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(2) COVERED INDIVIDUAL.—The term ‘‘covered 
individual’’ means an individual whose record for a 
claim for benefits under the Black Lung Benefits 
Act includes a covered chest radiograph. 
(3) COVERED SURVIVOR.—The term ‘‘covered 
survivor’’ means an individual who— 
(A) is a survivor of a covered individual 
whose claim under the Black Lung Benefits Act 
was still pending at the time of the covered in-
dividual’s death; and 
(B) who continued to seek an award with 
respect to the covered individual’s claim after 
the covered individual’s death. 
(b) CLAIMS.—A covered individual or a covered sur-
vivor whose claim for benefits under the Black Lung Bene-
fits Act (30 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) was denied prior to the 
enactment of this Act may file a new claim for benefits 
under this Act not later than one year after the date of 
enactment of this Act. 
(c) ADJUDICATION ON THE MERITS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Any new claim filed under 
subsection (b) shall be adjudicated on the merits and 
shall not include consideration of a covered chest 
radiograph. 
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(2) COVERED SURVIVOR.—Any new claim filed 
under subsection (b) by a covered survivor shall be 
adjudicated as either a miner’s or a survivor’s claim 
depending upon the type of claim pending at the 
time of the covered individual’s death. 
(d) TIME OF PAYMENT.— 
(1) MINER’S CLAIM.—If a claim, filed under 
subsection (b) and adjudicated under subsection (c) 
as a miner’s claim, results in an award of benefits, 
benefits shall be payable beginning with the month 
of the filing of the denied claim that had included 
in its record a covered chest radiograph. 
(2) SURVIVOR’S CLAIM.—If a claim, filed under 
subsection (b) and adjudicated under subsection (c) 
as a survivor’s claim, results in an award of benefits, 
benefits shall be payable beginning with the month 
of the miner’s death. 
(e) CONTRIBUTING IMPACT.—The Secretary shall 
have the discretion to deny a new claim under subsection 
(b) in circumstances where the party opposing such claim 
establishes through clear and convincing evidence that a 
covered chest radiograph did not contribute to the decision 
to deny benefits in all prior claims filed by the covered 
individual or the covered survivor. 
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(f) LIMITATION ON FILING OF NEW CLAIMS.—A new 
claim for benefits may be filed under subsection (b) only 
if the original claim was finally denied by a district direc-
tor, an administrative law judge, or the Benefits Review 
Board established under section 21(b) of the Longshore 
and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (33 U.S.C. 
921(b)). 
SEC. 113. DISCLOSURE OF EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS 
INFORMATION FOR BLACK LUNG BENEFITS 
CLAIMS. 
(a) TAX RETURN INFORMATION.—Section 6103(l) of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding 
at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(23) DISCLOSURE OF RETURN INFORMATION 
TO DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TO CARRY OUT BLACK 
LUNG BENEFITS ACT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commissioner of 
Social Security shall, on written request with 
respect to any individual, disclose to officers or 
employees of the Department of Labor return 
information from returns with respect to net 
earnings from self-employment (as defined in 
section 1402) and wages (as defined in section 
3121(a) or 3401(a)) for employment for each 
employer of such individual. 
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‘‘(B) RESTRICTION ON DISCLOSURE.—The 
Commissioner of Social Security shall disclose 
return information under subparagraph (A) 
only for purposes of, and the extent necessary 
in, carrying out the proper administration of 
the Black Lung Benefits Act (30 U.S.C. 901 et 
seq.).’’. 
(b) SOCIAL SECURITY EARNINGS INFORMATION.— 
Notwithstanding section 552a of title 5, United States 
Code, or any other provision of Federal or State law, the 
Commissioner of Social Security shall make available to 
the officers and employees of the Department of Labor, 
upon written request, the Social Security earnings infor-
mation of living or deceased individuals who are the sub-
ject of a claim under the Black Lung Benefits Act (30 
U.S.C. 901 et seq.), which the Secretary of Labor may 
require to carry out such Act. Such information shall be 
made available in electronic form. 
PART B—REPORTS TO IMPROVE THE ADMINIS-
TRATION OF BENEFITS UNDER THE BLACK 
LUNG BENEFITS ACT 
SEC. 121. STRATEGY TO REDUCE DELAYS IN ADJUDICA-
TION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall 
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submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
and Pensions and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
Senate and the Committee on Education and the Work-
force and the Committee on Appropriations of the House 
of Representatives a comprehensive strategy to reduce the 
backlog of cases pending on such date of enactment before 
the Office of Administrative Law Judges of the Depart-
ment of Labor. 
(b) CONTENTS OF STRATEGY.—The strategy under 
this section shall provide information relating to— 
(1) the current and targeted pendency for each 
category of cases before the Office of Administrative 
Law Judges of the Department of Labor; 
(2) the number of administrative law judges, 
attorney advisors supporting such judges, support 
staff, and other resources necessary to achieve and 
maintain the targeted pendency for each category of 
such cases; 
(3) the necessary resources to improve effi-
ciency and effectiveness, such as equipment for video 
conferences, training, use of reemployed annuitants, 
and administrative reforms; 
(4) the impact of sequestration, furloughs, and 
the Federal Government shutdown, which occurred 
from October 1 to October 16, 2013, on increasing 
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