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HR 1283 106th Congress House

Asbestos Compensation Act of 2000

Official title: To establish legal standards and procedures for the fair, prompt, inexpensive, and efficient resolution of personal injury claims arising out of asbestos exposure, and for other purposes.

Introduced: September 22, 1999 See on congress.gov
Law Administrative feesAdministrative law judgesAdministrative procedureAdministrative remedies
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Advice and consent of the SenateAlternative dispute resolutionAsbestosAsbestosisCancerCivil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesCivil actions and liabilityClaimsClass actions (Civil procedure)Collection of accountsColon cancerCommerceConfidential communicationsConflict of interestsCongressCongressional reporting requirementsCost accountingCourts of special jurisdictionDamagesDepartment of JusticeDiscovery (Law)District courtsEconomics and Public FinanceEnvironmental ProtectionEvidence (Law)Executive reorganizationFederal advisory bodiesFinance and Financial SectorFines (Penalties)Government Operations and PoliticsGovernment corporationsGovernment paperworkGovernment trust fundsHealthIdentification devicesIndustrial arbitrationJudicial review of administrative actsJurisdictionLabor and EmploymentLegal feesLegal servicesLiability (Law)LicensesLimitation of actionsLung cancerMediationMedical recordsMedical testsNonprofit organizationsOverhead costsParties to actionsPersonnel recordsPhysical examinationsPhysiciansPresidential appointmentsProducts liabilityPunitive damagesRight of privacyRight to counselShipbuildingSocial WelfareStomach diseasesSubpoenaTransportation and Public WorksTrusts and trusteesX-rays
This bill died when the 106th Congress ended
It never became law before the 106th Congress (1999–2000) 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 7 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 24, 2000
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 449.
Jul 24, 2000
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 106-782.
Mar 16, 2000
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 18 - 15.
Mar 9, 2000
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jul 1, 1999
Committee Hearings Held.
Mar 25, 1999
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Mar 25, 1999
Introduced in House
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 Latest action July 24, 2000

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 449.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
Asbestos Compensation Act of 2000- Title I: Establishment and Procedure - Establishes in the Department of Justice the Office of Asbestos Compensation (OAC), headed by an Administrator, with exclusive jurisdiction over proceedings to determine if a claimant is entitled to compensation for an asbestos claim, and the amount of such compensation. Establishes in the OAC: (1) the Asbestos Compensation Fund; and (2) the Office of Administrative Law Judges.

(Sec. 101) Instructs the Administrator to appoint a Medical Advisory Committee to evaluate the medical review process and eligibility criteria. Prescribes guidelines for: (1) medical eligibility review; (2) election of administrative process; (3) settlement offers; (4) claimant's choice of forum; (5) administrative adjudication; (6) the appeals and judicial review process; and (7) OAC data gathering and maintenance in connection with product identification, settlements, judgments and awards.

(Sec. 108) Instructs the OAC to implement a legal assistance program to represent claimants. Declares that claimants shall retain their right to be assisted by counsel of their free choice.

(Sec. 109) Sets forth time limits upon decision making by either the Medical Director or the Trustee of the Asbestos Compensation Fund (Trustee).

Title II: Law Applicable to Asbestos Adjudications - Conditions a claimant's recovery of compensation for damages caused by an eligible medical condition upon presentation of a medical eligibility certificate establishing its existence. Prescribes requirements and procedural guidelines for: (1) damages; (2) statute of limitations or repose; (3) come back rights; (4) class actions, aggregations of claims, and venue; and (5) core claims. Sets forth special rules applicable to adjudications and to the Trustee.

Title III: Eligible Medical Categories - Identifies the following as eligible medical categories that are asbestos-related: (1) malignant conditions with impairment; (2) mesothelioma; (3) lung cancer; and (4) other cancer. Sets forth the standard criteria for such categories.

(Sec. 306) Prescribes medical testing reimbursement guidelines.

Title IV: Funding - Requires the Administrator to adopt rules for calculating and collecting from defendants all costs associated with claim determination and payments. Vests the Trustee with subsequent enforcement authority.

(Sec. 402) Prescribes guidelines governing fiscal and financial management of the Asbestos Compensation Fund.

(Sec. 403) Authorizes appropriations for the OAC and the United States Court of Federal Claims. Authorizes offsetting collections of administrative assessments.

Title V: Transition - Prescribes applicability guidelines and transitional civil action procedures.

Title VI: Definitions - Sets forth definitions germane to this Act.

Title VII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Prescribes implementation requirements and guidelines with respect to: (1) relationship to other laws; (2) annual status report by the Administrator to the President and Congress; (3) enforcement; (4) defendant parties to a Qualifying National Settlement Plan; and (5) settlements.

 Bill text 2 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1283: Asbestos Compensation Act of 2000. 106th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-1283/
MLA
"H.R. 1283: Asbestos Compensation Act of 2000." 106th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-1283/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1283, 106th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-1283/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1283: Asbestos Compensation Act of 2000](https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-1283/)
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