A federal bill protecting whistleblowers at coal mines will have the late Senator Robert Byrd’s name on it.

The senate’s version of the “Mine Safety and Health Act” will be revealed today.  The bill is expected to contain language that allows miners to talk to M-SHA officials about safety issues at their coal mines, without the pressure of having union and company officials at the meeting. 
It will also mandate a day of training for coal miners on how to report unsafe working conditions.  The house of representatives has drafted a version that allows whistleblowers themselves to shut down a mine if they believe it’s unsafe.