Centers for Public Health Preparedness and Response Reauthorization Act

To amend the Public Health Service Act to establish and support a network of Centers for Public Health Preparedness and Response. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Centers for Public Health Preparedness and Response Reauthorization Act 2. Centers for public health preparedness and response (a) In general Section 319F of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 247d–6 (1) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following: (d) Centers for Public Health Preparedness and Response (1) In general The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to institutions of higher education, including accredited schools of public health, or other nonprofit private entities to establish or support a network of Centers for Public Health Preparedness and Response (referred to in this subsection as Centers (2) Eligibility To be eligible to receive an award under this subsection, an entity shall submit to the Secretary an application containing such information as the Secretary may require, including a description of how the entity will— (A) coordinate relevant activities with State, local, and Tribal health departments and officials, health care facilities, and health care coalitions to improve public health preparedness and response, as informed by the public health preparedness and response needs of the community, or communities, involved; (B) prioritize efforts to implement evidence-informed or evidence-based practices to improve public health preparedness and response, including by helping to reduce the transmission of emerging infectious diseases; and (C) use funds awarded under this subsection, including by carrying out any activities described in paragraph (3). (3) Use of funds As a condition of receiving funds under this subsection, Centers established or supported shall carry out activities to advance public health preparedness and response capabilities, which may include by— (A) identifying, translating, and disseminating promising research findings or strategies into evidence-informed or evidence-based practices to inform preparedness for, and responses to, chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear threats, including emerging infectious diseases, and other public health emergencies, which may include conducting research related to public health preparedness and response systems; (B) improving awareness of such evidence-informed or evidence-based practices and other relevant scientific or public health information among health care professionals, public health professionals, other stakeholders, and the public, including through the development, evaluation, and dissemination of trainings and training materials, consistent with section 2802(b)(2), as applicable and appropriate, to support preparedness for, and responses to, such threats; (C) utilizing and expanding relevant technological and analytical capabilities to inform public health and medical preparedness and response efforts; (D) expanding activities, including through public-private partnerships, related to public health preparedness and response, including participation in drills and exercises and training public health experts, as appropriate; and (E) providing technical assistance and expertise related to responses to public health emergencies, as appropriate, to State, local, and Tribal health departments and other entities pursuant to paragraph (2)(A). (4) Distribution of awards In awarding grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under this subsection, the Secretary shall support not fewer than 10 Centers, subject to the availability of appropriations, and ensure that such awards are equitably distributed among the geographical regions of the United States. ; and (2) in subsection (f)(1)(C), by striking , of which $5,000,000 shall be used to carry out paragraphs (3) through (5) of such subsection (b) Repeal Section 319G of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 247d–7

Summary: Centers for Public Health Preparedness and Response Reauthorization Act This bill revises eligibility criteria and other aspects of a program administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that supports a network of centers for public health preparedness. Specifically, the bill makes nonprofits and institutions of higher education other than schools of public health eligible to participate in the program, whereas current participation is generally limited to accredited schools of public health. Further, the bill shifts the program's focus from curricula development and training public health practitioners to other areas, such as (1) researching and disseminating evidence-based practices to inform preparedness and response activities, and (2) providing technical assistance and expertise to health departments during public health emergencies. The bill also repeals a demonstration program for improving the detection of pathogens likely to be used in bioterrorism attacks.