FAQs: National Defense Authorization Act

Additional information on the residual contamination study can be found on the Residual Contamination Report FAQs page of our website.

A copy of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2002 can be found on The Act (EEOICPA) page of our website. You can also request a copy of the act by contacting NIOSH directly at 513-533-6800, toll-free at 1-877-222-7570, or sending an e-mail request to dcas@cdc.gov.

The Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act of 2005 (NDAA) (Pub. L. 108-375) is a federal law that was enacted to specify that fiscal year's budget and expenditures of the United States Department of Defense. Section 3161 of the NDAA made several amendments to the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 (EEOICPA), as follows:

• Changes to Subtitle B of EEOICPA
  • The definition of a "covered employee" was expanded to include workers who were employed at atomic weapons employer (AWE) facilities during time periods when NIOSH determined that significant residual contamination existed outside of the period when weapons-related production occurred.
  • A radiation dose definition only applicable to the residual contamination periods.
  • A time limit of 180 days was established for NIOSH to provide a recommendation to the Advisory Board regarding qualified Special Exposure Cohort (SEC) petitions.
  • The time limit Congress has to either approve or deny a class to be added to SEC was reduced from 180 days to 30 days.
• Changes to Subtitle D of EEOICPA
  • Subtitle D of EEOICPA that was managed by the Department of Energy (DOE) was replaced by Subtitle E which is managed by the Department of Labor (DOL).
• Changes to Subtitle E of EEOICPA
  • Part E of EEOICPA was created in the place of Subtitle D.
  • This program provides federal compensation to covered employees based on the level of impairment and/or wage loss if they develop an occupational illness as a result of exposure to toxic substances at a DOE facility.
  • Medical benefits are also available to qualifying employees for treatment and care of the accepted occupational illness.
  • Certain survivors of deceased workers are also eligible to receive compensation.
  • Part E eligibility was added for uranium workers covered by section 5 of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act managed by the Department of Justice.

  Additional information on Subtitle E of EEOICPA can be found on the DOL EEOICP Website.

A copy of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act of 2005 can be found on The Act (EEOICPA) page of our website. You can also request a copy of the act by contacting NIOSH directly at 513-533-6800, toll-free at 1-877-222-7570, or sending an e-mail request to dcas@cdc.gov.