Federal Workers’ Compensation Integrity and Care Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8822
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-25: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 32 - 0.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-01T20:08:52Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 8822 – Federal Workers' Compensation Integrity and Care Act
Purpose
This legislation aims to strengthen oversight of the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) program by giving the Secretary of Labor improved access to earnings and employment data. The goal is to enhance compliance, reduce improper payments, and maintain program integrity.
Key Provisions
- Data Access Authority: Adds a new section (8153) to title 5 of the U.S. Code, allowing the Secretary of Labor to request specific information from other agencies without employee authorization or notice.
- Information Sources:
- The Social Security Administration must provide earnings records and details on monthly benefits under title II of the Social Security Act.
- The Department of Health and Human Services must provide data from the National Directory of New Hires.
- Requirements for Sharing:
- Information must be delivered in a timely manner, at no cost, and in the format specified by memoranda of understanding (MOUs).
- The Secretary of Labor must establish MOUs with the relevant agencies within 90 days of enactment.
- The Secretary must also create procedures to match recipient identities and employment status with the obtained data.
- Application: The changes apply to FECA payments made on or after the date the Act becomes law.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces new statutory authority for the Department of Labor to access federal databases for FECA oversight, which was not previously outlined in this manner under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act.
- Removes the need for individual consent or notification when obtaining earnings and employment information, expanding the scope of data-sharing permissions.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases administrative coordination among the Department of Labor, Social Security Administration, and Department of Health and Human Services through required data exchanges and MOUs; may improve detection of improper payments but adds operational responsibilities.
- Citizens: Affects federal employees receiving FECA compensation, benefits, or services by enabling broader monitoring of their earnings and employment without prior notice.
- International Relations: No direct effects identified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal employees covered under FECA.
- The Department of Labor (specifically the office administering FECA).
- The Social Security Administration.
- The Department of Health and Human Services.
- Congressional committees responsible for labor and workforce policy.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Raises considerations around data privacy due to the allowance for information sharing without employee consent or notice.
- Represents a legislative effort to address program integrity through expanded federal inter-agency data access, with no explicit constitutional challenges addressed in the bill text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-25: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 32 - 0.
- 2026-06-25: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-05-14: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2026-05-14: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-14: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Federal Workers’ Compensation Integrity and Care Act — issued 2026-05-14 — PDF (5 pages)