Title 42 — The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73
§1651 Compensation authorized
Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 11— - COMPENSATION FOR DISABILITY OR DEATH TO PERSONS EMPLOYED AT MILITARY, AIR, AND NAVAL BASES OUTSIDE UNITED STATES › § 1651
Summary
Extends the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act so it covers injuries or deaths of employees who work for or under the United States outside the continental United States in certain situations. Covered situations include work at military, air, or naval bases the U.S. got from another country after January 1, 1940; on lands used by the U.S. for military or naval purposes in territories or possessions outside the continental U.S. (for example, Guantanamo Bay and the Canal Zone); on public works in those territories when hired under a U.S. contractor or subcontractor (but not workers who only supply materials); on other contracts the U.S. or its agencies hire to be done outside the continental U.S. for public work (those contracts must require contractors to secure and keep in force payment of compensation and benefits before work starts); on contracts financed under the Mutual Security Act of 1954 with similar security requirements; and when an American employer provides welfare or similar services for the Armed Forces outside the continental U.S. with the Secretary of Defense’s authorization. Key defined words: public work — construction or related projects for U.S. or allies; allies — nations in common military effort or defense alliance; war activities — things directly tied to military operations; continental United States — the States and the District of Columbia. Employer or contractor liability under this law is the only liability for these covered workers instead of any state workers’ compensation law. “Contractor” includes any business or its legal successors. The rules apply to certain contracts not finished as of August 16, 1941, and to some Mutual Security Act contracts as described. The Secretary of Labor may waive coverage for particular contracts, work sites, or groups of employees on proper recommendation. The law does not apply to prisoners of war or other protected persons under the Geneva Conventions of 1949 who are detained or used by the United States.
Full Legal Text
Title 42, §1651
The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Except as herein modified, the provisions of the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, approved March 4, 1927 (44 Stat. 1424), as amended [33 U.S.C. 901 et seq.], shall apply in respect to the injury or death of any employee engaged in any employment—
(1)at any military, air, or naval base acquired after January 1, 1940, by the United States from any foreign government; or
(2)upon any lands occupied or used by the United States for military or naval purposes in any Territory or possession outside the continental United States (including the United States Naval Operating Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; and the Canal Zone); or
(3)upon any public work in any Territory or possession outside the continental United States (including the United States Naval Operating Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; and the Canal Zone), if such employee is engaged in employment at such place under the contract of a contractor (or any subcontractor or subordinate subcontractor with respect to the contract of such contractor) with the United States; but nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to apply to any employee of such a contractor or subcontractor who is engaged exclusively in furnishing materials or supplies under his contract;
(4)under a contract entered into with the United States or any executive department, independent establishment, or agency thereof (including any corporate instrumentality of the United States), or any subcontract, or subordinate contract with respect to such contract, where such contract is to be performed outside the continental United States and at places not within the areas described in subparagraphs (1)–(3) of this subdivision, for the purpose of engaging in public work, and every such contract shall contain provisions requiring that the contractor (and subcontractor or subordinate contractor with respect to such contract) (1) shall, before commencing performance of such contract, provide for securing to or on behalf of employees engaged in such public work under such contract the payment of compensation and other benefits under the provisions of this chapter, and (2) shall maintain in full force and effect during the term of such contract, subcontract, or subordinate contract, or while employees are engaged in work performed thereunder, the said security for the payment of such compensation and benefits, but nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to apply to any employee of such contractor or subcontractor who is engaged exclusively in furnishing materials or supplies under his contract;
(5)under a contract approved and financed by the United States or any executive department, independent establishment, or agency thereof (including any corporate instrumentality of the United States), or any subcontract or subordinate contract with respect to such contract, where such contract is to be performed outside the continental United States, under the Mutual Security Act of 1954, as amended (other than title II of chapter II thereof unless the Secretary of Labor, upon the recommendation of the head of any department or other agency of the United States, determines a contract financed under a successor provision of any successor Act should be covered by this section), and not otherwise within the coverage of this section, and every such contract shall contain provisions requiring that the contractor (and subcontractor or subordinate contractor with respect to such contract) (A) shall, before commencing performance of such contract, provide for securing to or on behalf of employees engaged in work under such contract the payment of compensation and other benefits under the provisions of this chapter, and (B) shall maintain in full force and effect during the term of such contract, subcontract, or subordinate contract, or while employees are engaged in work performed thereunder, the said security for the payment of such compensation and benefits, but nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to apply to any employee of such contractor or subcontractor who is engaged exclusively in furnishing materials or supplies under his contract;
(6)outside the continental United States by an American employer providing welfare or similar services for the benefit of the Armed Forces pursuant to appropriate authorization by the Secretary of Defense,
(b)As used in this section—
(1)the term “public work” means any fixed improvement or any project, whether or not fixed, involving construction, alteration, removal or repair for the public use of the United States or its allies, including but not limited to projects or operations under service contracts and projects in connection with the national defense or with war activities, dredging, harbor improvements, dams, roadways, and housing, as well as preparatory and ancillary work in connection therewith at the site or on the project;
(2)the term “allies” means any nation with which the United States is engaged in a common military effort or with which the United States has entered into a common defensive military alliance;
(3)the term “war activities” includes activities directly relating to military operations;
(4)the term “continental United States” means the States and the District of Columbia.
(c)The liability of an employer, contractor (or any subcontractor or subordinate subcontractor with respect to the contract of such contractor) under this chapter shall be exclusive and in place of all other liability of such employer, contractor, subcontractor, or subordinate contractor to his employees (and their dependents) coming within the purview of this chapter, under the workmen’s compensation law of any State, Territory, or other jurisdiction, irrespective of the place where the contract of hire of any such employee may have been made or entered into.
(d)As used in this section, the term “contractor” means any individual, partnership, corporation, or association, and includes any trustee, receiver, assignee, successor, or personal representative thereof, and the rights, obligations, liability, and duties of the employer under such Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act [33 U.S.C. 901 et seq.] shall be applicable to such contractor.
(e)The liability under this chapter of a contractor, subcontractor, or subordinate contractor engaged in public work under subparagraphs (3) and (4), subdivision (a) of this section, and the conditions set forth therein, shall become applicable to contracts and subcontracts heretofore entered into but not completed at August 16, 1941, and the liability under this chapter of a contractor, subcontractor, or subordinate contractor engaged in performance of contracts, subcontracts, or subordinate contracts specified in subparagraph (5), subdivision (a) of this section, and the conditions set forth therein, shall hereafter be applicable to the remaining terms of such contracts, subcontracts, and subordinate contracts entered into prior to but not completed on the date of enactment of any successor Act to the Mutual Security Act of 1954, as amended, and contracting officers of the United States are authorized to make such modifications and amendments of existing contracts as may be necessary to bring such contracts into conformity with the provisions of this chapter. No right shall arise in any employee or his dependent under subparagraphs (3) and (4) of subdivision (a) of this section, prior to two months after the approval of this chapter. Upon the recommendation of the head of any department or other agency of the United States, the Secretary of Labor, in the exercise of his discretion, may waive the application of this section with respect to any contract, subcontract, contract, or subordinate contract, work location under such contracts, or classification of employees. Upon recommendation of any employer referred to in paragraph (6) of subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary of Labor may waive the application of this section to any employee or class of employees of such employer, or to any place of employment of such an employee or class of employees.
(f)The liability under this chapter of a contractor, subcontractor, or subordinate contractor engaged in public work under paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) of subsection (a) of this section or in any work under paragraph (5) of subsection (a) of this section does not apply with respect to any person who is a prisoner of war or a protected person under the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and who is detained or utilized by the United States.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (d), is act Mar. 4, 1927, ch. 509, 44 Stat. 1424, which is classified generally to chapter 18 (§ 901 et seq.) of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 901 of Title 33 and Tables. For definition of Canal Zone, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), (3), see section 3602(b) of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse. The Mutual Security Act of 1954, referred to in subsecs. (a)(5) and (e), is act Aug. 26, 1954, ch. 937, 68 Stat. 832, as amended by acts
July 8, 1955, ch. 301, 69 Stat. 283;
July 18, 1956, ch. 627, §§ 2–11, 70 Stat. 555; Aug. 14, 1957, Pub. L. 85–141, 71 Stat. 355;
June 30, 1958, Pub. L. 85–477, ch. 1, §§ 101–103, ch. II, §§ 201–205, ch. III, § 301, ch. IV, § 401, ch. V, § 501, 72 Stat. 261;
July 24, 1959, Pub. L. 86–108, § 2, ch. 1, § 101, ch. II, §§ 201 to 205(a)–(i), (k)–(n), ch. III, § 301, ch. IV, § 401(a)–(k), (m), 73 Stat. 246;
May 14, 1960, Pub. L. 86–472, chs. I to V, 74 Stat. 134, which was principally classified to chapter 24 (§ 1750 et seq.) of Title 22, and which was repealed by acts
July 18, 1956, ch. 627, § 8(m), 70 Stat. 559; Aug. 14, 1957, Pub. L. 85–141, §§ 2(e), 3, 4(b), 11(d), 71 Stat. 356;
July 24, 1959, Pub. L. 86–108, ch. II, § 205(j), ch. IV, § 401(1), 73 Stat. 250;
May 14, 1960, Pub. L. 86–472, ch. II, §§ 203(d), 204(k), 74 Stat. 138; Sept. 4, 1961, Pub. L. 87–195, pt. III, § 642(a)(2), 75 Stat. 460;
June 30, 1976, Pub. L. 94–329, title II, § 212(b)(1), 90 Stat. 745; Apr. 4, 1996, Pub. L. 104–127, title II, § 228, 110 Stat. 963, except for section 1754, 1783, 1796, 1853, 1928, and 1937 of Title 22. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title
note set out under section 1754 of Title 22 and Tables. Title II of Chapter II of the Mutual Security Act of 1954, referred to in subsec. (a)(5), which was classified generally to sections 1870 to 1876 of Title 22, was repealed by Pub. L. 87–195, Pt. III, § 642(a)(2), Sept. 4, 1961, 75 Stat. 460. Codification Reference to Philippine Islands in paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsec. (a) of this section was omitted as obsolete in view of Proc. No. 2695, eff. July 4, 1946, 11 F.R. 7871, 60 Stat. 1352, recognizing the independence of the Philippines and withdrawing and surrendering all rights of possession, supervision, jurisdiction, control, or sovereignty now existing and exercised by the United States in and over the territory and people of the Philippines. See note set out under section 1394 of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse.
Amendments
1984—Subsecs. (a), (d). Pub. L. 98–426 substituted “Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act” for “Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act”. 1961—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 87–195, § 701(1), extended coverage in those cases where the Secretary of Labor, upon the recommendation of the head of any department or other agency of the United States, determines a contract financed under a successor provision of any successor act to the Mutual Security Act of 1954 should be covered by this section. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 87–195, § 701(2), substituted “but not completed on the date of enactment of any successor act to the Mutual Security Act of 1954, as amended” for “
June 30, 1958, but not completed on
July 24, 1959”. 1959—Subsec. (a)(2), (3). Pub. L. 86–70, § 40(a), struck out “Alaska;” before “the United States Naval Operating Base”. Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 86–70, § 40(b), struck out “or in Alaska or the Canal Zone” after “continental United States”. Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 86–70, § 40(c), added par. (4). Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 86–108 provided that the liability under this chapter of a contractor, subcontractor, or subordinate contractor engaged in performance of contracts, subcontracts, or subordinate contracts specified in subsec. (a)(5) of this section, and the conditions set forth therein, shall be applicable to the remaining terms of such contracts, subcontracts, and subordinate contracts entered into prior to
June 30, 1958, but not completed on
July 24, 1959. 1958—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 85–477, § 502(a)(1), added par. (5). Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 85–608, § 201(a), added par. (6). Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 85–608, § 201(b), inserted “whether or not fixed,” after “any project” and substituted “projects or operations under service contracts and projects in connection with the national defense or with war activities” for “projects in connection with the war effort” in definition of “public work”, and inserted definitions of “allies” and “war activities”. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 85–608, § 201(c), substituted “may waive the application of this section with respect to any contract” for “may waive the application of the provisions of subparagraphs (3), (4), or (5) of subdivision (a) of this section, with respect to any contract”, and inserted provisions authorizing the Secretary to waive the application of this section to any employee or class of employees of an employer referred to in paragraph (6) of subsection (a) of this section upon recommendation of the employer. Pub. L. 85–477, § 502(a)(2), substituted “provisions of subparagraphs (3), (4), or (5)” for “provisions of subparagraphs (3) or (4)”. Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 85–608, § 201(d), substituted provisions making liability of a contractor, subcontractor, or subordinate contractor inapplicable with respect to persons who are prisoners of war or protected persons and who are detained or utilized by the United States for provisions which made liability inapplicable with respect to employees not citizens of the United States who incurred an injury or death resulting in death subsequent to
June 30, 1953. Pub. L. 85–477, § 502(a)(3), inserted “or any work under subparagraph (5) of subsection (a) of this section” before “shall not apply”. 1953—Subsec. (f). Act
June 30, 1953, added subsec. (f). 1942—Act Dec. 2, 1942, amended section generally. Prior to amendment section read as follows: “Except as herein modified, the provisions of section 901–921, 922–950 of title 33, as amended, and as the same may be amended hereafter, shall apply in respect to the injury or death of any employee engaged in any employment at any military, air, or naval base acquired after
January 1, 1940, by the United States from any foreign government or any lands occupied or used by the United States for military or naval purposes in any Territory or possession outside the continental United States, including Alaska, Guantanamo, and the Philippine Islands, but excluding the Canal Zone, irrespective of the place where the injury or death occurs.”
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 1984 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 98–426 effective Sept. 28, 1984, see section 28(e)(1) of Pub. L. 98–426, set out as a note under section 901 of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters.
Effective Date
of 1959 Amendment Pub. L. 86–70, § 47(g), June 25, 1959, 73 Stat. 154, provided that: “The
Amendments
in section 40 and 42 [amending this section and section 1701, 1704, and 1711 of this title] shall take effect when enacted [
June 25, 1959]: Provided, however, That with respect to injuries or deaths occurring on or after
January 3, 1959, and prior to the
Effective Date
of these
Amendments
, claims filed by employees engaged in the State of Alaska in any of the employments covered by the Defense Base Act [this chapter] (and their dependents) may be adjudicated under the Workmen’s Compensation Act of Alaska instead of the Defense Base Act.”
Effective Date
of 1958 Amendment Pub. L. 85–608, title IV, § 402, Aug. 8, 1958, 72 Stat. 539, provided that: “The
Effective Date
of this Act [amending this section, section 1701, 1702, 1704, 1711, and 1716 of this title, and section 751 and 790 of former Title 5, Executive Departments and Government Officers and Employees, repealing section 801 of former Title 5, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and section 1701 of this title] is
June 30, 1958. Persons are entitled to the benefits of this Act notwithstanding the fact that an injury, disability, or death occurred after
June 30, 1958, and before the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 8, 1958].”
Short Title
section 5 of act Aug. 16, 1941, as added by Pub. L. 85–608, title II, § 202, Aug. 8, 1958, 72 Stat. 538, provided that: “This Act [enacting this chapter] may be cited as the ‘Defense Base Act’.”
Repeals
Pub. L. 87–195, pt. IV, § 701, Sept. 4, 1961, 75 Stat. 463, cited as a credit to this section, was repealed by Pub. L. 87–565, pt. IV, § 401, Aug. 1, 1962, 76 Stat. 263, except insofar as section 701 affected this section.
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of certain functions insofar as they pertain to Air Force, and to extent that they were not previously transferred to Secretary of the Air Force and Department of the Air Force from Secretary of the Army and Department of the Army, see Secretary of Defense Transfer Order No. 40 [App. A(74)], July 22, 1949.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
42 U.S.C. § 1651
Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73