tablishes that the disease levels are reduced to 
the average in the United States. 
(C) ADMINISTRATIVE
EXPERTISE.—The 
Special Master shall ensure that the Adminis-
trator of FEMA provides all administrative and 
technical expertise and oversight in the bidding 
and construction of the facility but the design 
and abilities of the hospital shall be determined 
by the Special Master considering the medical 
and research needs of the residents of the is-
land of Vieques. All costs shall be part of the 
municipality’s compensation. 
(D) INTERIM SERVICES.—Before the med-
ical facility on the island of Vieques is oper-
ational, the Special Master shall provide— 
(i) urgent health care air transport to 
hospitals on the mainland of Puerto Rico 
from the island of Vieques; 
(ii) medical coordination personnel 
and case managers; 
(iii) telemedicine communication abili-
ties; and 
(iv) any other services that are nec-
essary to alleviate the health crisis on the 
island of Vieques. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:10 Oct 07, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4605.IH
H4605
jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with BILLS
(E) SCREENING.—The Special Master 
shall make available, at no cost to the patient, 
medical screening for cancer, cirrhosis, diabetes, 
and heavy metal contamination on the island of 
Vieques. 
(F) ACADEMIC
PARTNER.—The Special 
Master shall appoint an academic partner, with 
appropriate experience and an established rela-
tionship with the Municipality of Vieques 
shall— 
(i) lead a research and outreach en-
deavor on behalf of the Municipality of 
Vieques; 
(ii) select the appropriate scientific ex-
pertise and administer defined studies, 
conducting testing and evaluation of the 
soils, seas, plant and animal food sources, 
and the health of residents; and 
(iii) determine and implement the 
most efficient and effective way to reduce 
the environmental toxins to a level suffi-
cient to return the soils, seas, food sources, 
and health circumstances to a level that re-
duces the diseases on the island of Vieques 
to the average in the United States. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:10 Oct 07, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4605.IH
H4605
jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with BILLS
(G) COMPENSATION.—The Special Master 
shall compensate the Municipality of Vieques 
for research conducted on behalf of the Munici-
pality, before the date of the enactment of this 
Act, by universities, colleges, scientists, and 
doctors who have tested and evaluated the prev-
alence of toxic substances in the soil, food 
sources, and human populations. 
(H) DUTIES.—The Special Master shall 
provide amounts necessary for the academic 
partner and medical coordinator to carry out 
the duties described in subparagraphs (A) 
through (D). 
(I) PROCUREMENT.—The Special Master 
shall provide amounts necessary to compensate 
the Municipality of Vieques for— 
(i) contractual procurement obliga-
tions and additional expenses incurred by 
the Municipality as a result of the enact-
ment of this section and settlement of its 
claim; and 
(ii) any other damages and costs to be 
incurred by the Municipality, if the Special 
Master determines that it is necessary to 
carry out the purpose of this section. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:10 Oct 07, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4605.IH
H4605
jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with BILLS
(J) CONSULTING
FIRMS.—The Special 
Master shall provide amounts necessary for the 
Special Master to contract with consulting 
firms for technical advice on any aspect of the 
Special Master’s duties. 
(K) POWER SOURCE.—The Special Master 
shall determine the best source of producing 
independent power on the island of Vieques that 
is hurricane resilient and can effectively sustain 
the needs of the island and shall authorize such 
construction as an award to the Municipality of 
Vieques. 
(2) SOURCE.—Amounts awarded under this Act 
shall be made from amounts appropriated under sec-
tion 1304 of title 31, United States Code, commonly 
known as the ‘‘Judgment Fund’’, as if claims were 
adjudicated by a United States District Court under 
section 1346(b) of title 28, United States Code. 
(3) 
DETERMINATION
AND
PAYMENT
OF 
CLAIMS.— 
(A) ESTABLISHMENT
OF
FILING
PROCE-
DURES.—The Attorney General shall establish 
procedures whereby individuals and the Munici-
pality may submit claims for payments under 
this section to the Special Master. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:10 Oct 07, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4605.IH
H4605
jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with BILLS
(B) DETERMINATION
OF
CLAIMS.—The 
Special Master shall, in accordance with this 
subsection, determine whether each claim meets 
the requirements of this section. Claims filed by 
residents of the island of Vieques that have 
been disposed of by a court under chapter 171 
of title 28, United States Code, shall be treated 
as if such claims are currently filed. 
(e) ACTION ON CLAIMS.—The Special Master shall 
make a determination on any claim filed under the proce-
dures established under this section not later than 150 
days after the date on which the claim is filed. 
(f) PAYMENT IN FULL SETTLEMENT OF CLAIMS BY 
INDIVIDUALS
AND
THE
MUNICIPALITY
OF
VIEQUES 
AGAINST THE UNITED STATES.—The acceptance by an 
individual or the Municipality of Vieques of a payment of 
an award under this section shall— 
(1) be final and conclusive; 
(2) be deemed to be in full satisfaction of all 
claims under chapter 171 of title 28, United States 
Code; and 
(3) constitute a complete release by the indi-
vidual or Municipality of such claim against the 
United States and against any employee of the 
United States acting in the scope of employment 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:10 Oct 07, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4605.IH
H4605
jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with BILLS