
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 15USC2623]

 
                      TITLE 15--COMMERCE AND TRADE
 
                  CHAPTER 53--TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL
 
                SUBCHAPTER I--CONTROL OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES
 
Sec. 2623. Employment effects


(a) In general

    The Administrator shall evaluate on a continuing basis the potential 
effects on employment (including reductions in employment or loss of 
employment from threatened plant closures) of--
        (1) the issuance of a rule or order under section 2603, 2604, or 
    2605 of this title, or
        (2) a requirement of section 2604 or 2605 of this title.

(b) Investigations

    (1) Any employee (or any representative of an employee) may request 
the Administrator to make an investigation of--
        (A) a discharge or layoff or threatened discharge or layoff of 
    the employee, or
        (B) adverse or threatened adverse effects on the employee's 
    employment,

allegedly resulting from a rule or order under section 2603, 2604, or 
2605 of this title or a requirement of section 2604 or 2605 of this 
title. Any such request shall be made in writing, shall set forth with 
reasonable particularity the grounds for the request, and shall be 
signed by the employee, or representative of such employee, making the 
request.
    (2)(A) Upon receipt of a request made in accordance with paragraph 
(1) the Administrator shall (i) conduct the investigation requested, and 
(ii) if requested by any interested person, hold public hearings on any 
matter involved in the investigation unless the Administrator, by order 
issued within 45 days of the date such hearings are requested, denies 
the request for the hearings because the Administrator determines there 
are no reasonable grounds for holding such hearings. If the 
Administrator makes such a determination, the Administrator shall notify 
in writing the person requesting the hearing of the determination and 
the reasons therefor and shall publish the determination and the reasons 
therefor in the Federal Register.
    (B) If public hearings are to be held on any matter involved in an 
investigation conducted under this subsection--
        (i) at least five days' notice shall be provided the person 
    making the request for the investigation and any person identified 
    in such request,
        (ii) such hearings shall be held in accordance with section 
    2605(c)(3) of this title, and
        (iii) each employee who made or for whom was made a request for 
    such hearings and the employer of such employee shall be required to 
    present information respecting the applicable matter referred to in 
    paragraph (1)(A) or (1)(B) together with the basis for such 
    information.

    (3) Upon completion of an investigation under paragraph (2), the 
Administrator shall make findings of fact, shall make such 
recommendations as the Administrator deems appropriate, and shall make 
available to the public such findings and recommendations.
    (4) This section shall not be construed to require the Administrator 
to amend or repeal any rule or order in effect under this chapter.

(Pub. L. 94-469, title I, Sec. 24, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 2045; 
renumbered title I, Pub. L. 99-519, Sec. 3(c)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 
Stat. 2989.)
