---
kind: "section"
citation: "30 U.S.C. § 903"
title: "30"
title_heading: "Mineral Lands and Mining"
number: "903"
heading: "Field offices"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/30/903"
units:
  - "Chapter 22 — Mine Safety and Health"
  - "Subchapter IV — Black Lung Benefits"
  - "Part A — General Provisions"
---

# §903. Field offices

- (a) The [Secretary](/usc/30/902.md?p=c) of Labor shall establish and operate such field offices as may be necessary to assist [miners](/usc/30/902.md?p=d) and survivors of [miners](/usc/30/902.md?p=d) in the filing and processing of claims under this subchapter. Such field offices shall, to the extent feasible, be reasonably accessible to such [miners](/usc/30/902.md?p=d) and survivors. The [Secretary](/usc/30/902.md?p=c), in connection with the establishment and operation of field offices, may enter into arrangements with other Federal departments and agencies, and with [State](/usc/30/802.md?p=c) agencies, for the use of existing facilities operated by such departments and agencies. Where the establishment of separate facilities is not feasible the [Secretary](/usc/30/902.md?p=c) may enter into such arrangements as he deems necessary with the heads of Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities and with [State](/usc/30/802.md?p=c) agencies for the use of existing facilities and personnel under their control.
- (b) There are authorized to be appropriated for the purposes of [subsection (a)](#a) such sums as may be necessary.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 95–239, § 18, Mar. 1, 1978, 92 Stat. 105.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Black Lung Benefits Reform Act of 1977, and not as part of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 which comprises this chapter or the Black Lung Benefits Act which comprises this subchapter.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective Mar. 1, 1978, see section 20(a) of Pub. L. 95–239, set out as an Effective Date of 1978 Amendment note under section 901 of this title.