; succession plan. TITLE VII—Amendments to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 Sec. 701. Coverage of public employees. Sec. 702. Enhanced protections from retaliation. Sec. 703. Victims’ rights. Sec. 704. Correction of serious, willful, or repeated violations pending contest and procedures for a stay. Sec. 705. Conforming amendments. Sec. 706. Civil penalties. Sec. 707. Criminal penalties. Sec. 708. Penalties. Sec. 709. Authorization of cooperative agreements by NIOSH Office of Mine Safety and Health. Sec. 710. Effective date. 2. References Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment is expressed as an amendment to a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 ( 30 U.S.C. 801 et seq.). I Additional inspection and investigation authority 101. Independent accident investigations (a) In general Section 103(b) ( 30 U.S.C. 813(b) ) is amended— (1) by striking (b) For the purpose and inserting the following: (b) Accident investigations (1) In general For all accident investigations under this Act, the Secretary shall— (A) determine why the accident occurred; (B) determine whether there were violations of law, mandatory health or safety standards, or other requirements, and if there is evidence of conduct that may constitute a violation of Federal criminal law, the Secretary may refer such evidence to the Attorney General; and (C) make recommendations to avoid any recurrence. (2) Independent accident investigations (A) In general There shall be, in addition to an accident investigation under paragraph (1), an independent investigation by an independent investigation panel (referred to in this subsection as the Panel ) appointed under subparagraph (B) for— (i) any accident involving 3 or more deaths