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HR 4991 100th Congress House Labor and Employment Administrative law and regulatory procedures Administrative procedure Civil actions and liability Claims Congress and Members of Congress Congressional oversight Construction industries Courts and Civil Procedure Courts of special jurisdiction Damages Government Operations and Politics Government liability Government litigation Government paperwork Government records, documents, and information Information services Negligence Occupational health and safety Public Contracts, Procurement, and Property

A bill to clarify the United States' obligation to observe occupational safety and health standards and to clarify the United States' responsibility for harm caused by its negligence at any work…

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A bill to clarify the United States' obligation to observe occupational safety and health standards and to clarify the United States' responsibility for harm caused by its negligence at any work place owned by, operated by, or under contract with the United States.

Introduced: July 7, 1988 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 100th Congress ended
It never became law before the 100th Congress (1987–1988) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 14, 1988
Referred to Subcommittee on Administrative Law and Governmental Relations.
Jul 7, 1988
Referred to House Committee on The Judiciary.
Jul 7, 1988
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Makes the legal defense of discretionary function provided under specified Federal law and the legal doctrine of foreseeability of damages inapplicable to any legal or administrative proceeding for damages arising out of U.S. violation of occupational safety or health standards or U.S. negligence at any workplace owned or operated by or under contract with the United States. Prohibits the foreseeability doctrine from being used to limit the amount or kind of damages otherwise available to the plaintiff.

Establishes a National Registry of Government Litigants, within the U.S. Claims Court, to collect and maintain data regarding claims against the United States predicated (in whole or in part) upon U.S. violation of safety and health standards. Allows any person seeking damages from the United States on the basis (in whole or part) of harm resulting from U.S. violation of safety and health standards to file a notice of such fact with the U.S. Claims Court, within 30 days after commencement of such action (whether administrative or judicial in character). Directs the chief judge of the U.S. Claims Court to report annually to the Congress on the number of, and relevant facts and common characteristics underlying, such notices filed within the Registry.

What's happening now July 14, 1988

Referred to Subcommittee on Administrative Law and Governmental Relations.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4991: A bill to clarify the United States' obligation to observe occupational safety and health standards and to clarify the United States' responsibility for harm caused by its negligence at any work place owned by, operated by, or under contract with the United States.. 100th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-4991/
MLA
"H.R. 4991: A bill to clarify the United States' obligation to observe occupational safety and health standards and to clarify the United States' responsibility for harm caused by its negligence at any work place owned by, operated by, or under contract with the United States.." 100th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-4991/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4991, 100th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-4991/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4991: A bill to clarify the United States' obligation to observe occupational safety and health standards and to clarify the United States' responsibility for harm caused by its negligence at any work place owned by, operated by, or under contract with the United States.](https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-4991/)
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