This bill expands the required components of the National Health Security Strategy (a coordinated strategy among federal, state, and local entities to address public health emergencies).
Specifically, the National Health Security Strategy must address (1) coordination of federal efforts related to biological attribution (i.e., determining the source of biological hazards and pathogens of pandemic potential); and (2) early warning of emerging biological, chemical, and radiological threats, including synthetic drugs and fentanyl.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4516 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4516
To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for the inclusion of
a biological attribution strategy, and an early warning strategy and
implementation plan, in the National Health Security Strategy, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 10, 2023
Mr. Crenshaw introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for the inclusion of
a biological attribution strategy, and an early warning strategy and
implementation plan, in the National Health Security Strategy, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. BIOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTION STRATEGY.
(a) Preparedness Goal.--Section 2802(b) of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh-1(b)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(11) Biological attribution strategy.--Developing a
biological attribution strategy to improve Federal coordination
of duties and activities related to biological attribution of
biological hazards and pathogens of pandemic potential, which
shall include developing a strategy in accordance with
subsection (c).''.
(b) Details of Strategy.--Section 2802 of the Public Health Service
Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh-1) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Biological Attribution Strategy.--
``(1) Contents.--The biological attribution strategy under
subsection (b)(11) shall include the following:
``(A) A description of the biological attribution
duties of each appropriate Federal agency, including--
``(i) the nature of routine bioattribution
activities;
``(ii) the level and type of biological
events that may trigger an attribution
determination by the appropriate Federal
agencies regarding the source, cause, or origin
of such events; and
``(iii) the Federal agency's routine
exercise of the capabilities to perform
bioattribution activities.
``(B) The process by which a bioattribution
determination is made by each such Federal agency,
including how such process may address national
security considerations.
``(C) Development of assignments, milestones, and
timelines necessary to establish the strongest possible
national capacity for bioattribution.
``(D) A plan for the identification, development,
and implementation of new technologies, through both
internal and public-private initiatives, with an
emphasis on diagnostic, sequencing, and safe collection
capabilities.
``(2) Coordination.--In developing the biological
attribution strategy under subsection (b)(11), the Secretary
shall coordinate with the relevant Federal agencies, including
the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, the
Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the Office of the
Director of National Intelligence.''.
SEC. 2. EARLY WARNING STRATEGY AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.
(a) Preparedness Goal.--Section 2802(b) of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh-1(b)), as amended by section 1, is further
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(12) Early warning strategy and implementation plan.--
Developing and implementing an early warning strategy and
implementation plan for biological, chemical, and radiological
threats, in accordance with subsection (d).''.
(b) Details of Strategy and Plan.--Section 2802 of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh-1), as amended by section 1, is
further amended by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Early Warning Strategy and Implementation Plan.--
``(1) Objectives.--The objectives of the early warning
strategy and implementation plan under subsection (b)(12) shall
include--
``(A) development of a robust early warning
function for the United States which incorporates new
technologies, with an emphasis on diagnostic,
sequencing, and safe collection capabilities;
``(B) identification of new biological threats at
the earliest time to inform response strategies;
``(C) understanding of the prevalence of current
and recurring threats;
``(D) the ability to adapt technologies to emerging
chemical and radiological threats, including synthetic
drugs and fentanyl;
``(E) ongoing detection from broad sources
including wastewater, airports, and transportation
hubs; and
``(F) the ability to rapidly deploy technologies at
scale during a public health event.
``(2) Coordination and eliminating duplication.--
``(A) Consultation.--In developing the early
warning strategy and implementation plan under
subsection (b)(12), the Secretary shall consult with--
``(i) State and local public health
entities;
``(ii) private sector and academic
partners; and
``(iii) Federal officials as appropriate,
including--
``(I) the Assistant Secretary for
Strategic Preparedness and Response;
and
``(II) the Director of the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention.
``(B) Purposes.--The purposes of consultation under
paragraph (1) shall be to coordinate activities,
streamline Federal programs, and eliminate waste and
duplication.
``(C) Meetings.--The Secretary, on a periodic basis
as applicable and appropriate, shall meet with the
Director of National Intelligence to inform the
development and capabilities of the early warning
strategy and implementation plan under subsection
(b)(12) for foreign and cross-border threats.''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
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