Strengthening Our Health Security Act of 2022

To establish a procedure for terminating a determination by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to suspend the introduction of persons into the United States from designated places, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Strengthening Our Health Security Act of 2022 2. Termination of suspension of persons from designated places related to the COVID–19 pandemic (a) In general An order of suspension issued under section 362 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 265 42 U.S.C. 247d (b) Procedures during 60-Day termination window (1) Plan Not later than 30 days after the date on which a written notification is provided under subsection (a), the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall develop and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a plan to address any possible influx of persons related to the termination of such order. (2) Consultation The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall develop the plan required by paragraph (1) in consultation with— (A) the Secretary of Homeland Security; and (B) any Federal agency, State, local, or Tribal government, and nongovernmental organization that, as determined by the Secretary, has a role in managing outcomes associated with the termination of such order. (3) Contents The plan required by paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) The process for screening persons referred to in paragraph (1) for COVID–19 and other communicable diseases. (B) A description of the Federal Government’s capacity for testing such persons for COVID–19 and other communicable diseases. (C) A description of the protocols to prevent the spread of, and to treat, communicable diseases (other than COVID–19) in connection with an influx of persons described in paragraph (1). (D) A description of the protocols to be implemented to protect Federal employees working with or near such persons from potential exposure to COVID–19 and other communicable diseases. (E) The process for screening such persons for controlled substances, including fentanyl, being imported illicitly. (F) A specification of how long, and with respect to how many such persons, the Federal Government has the capacity to carry out the activities referred to in subparagraphs (A) through (E). (G) A specification of the circumstances under which a request will be submitted for additional such capacity. (4) Failure to submit If a plan under paragraph (1) is not submitted to the appropriate committees of Congress within the 30-day period described in such paragraph— (A) not later than 7 days after the expiration of such 30-day period, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall notify the appropriate committees of Congress, in writing, of the status of preparing such a plan and the timing for submission as required under paragraph (1); and (B) the termination of an order of suspension pursuant to such plan shall be delayed until a date that is at least 30 days after the date on which such plan is submitted to such committees.

Summary: Strengthening Our Health Security Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to meet conditions related to notification and planning before terminating certain restrictions on imports and individuals entering the United States. Current law authorizes HHS to restrict entries and imports from foreign countries to prevent the introduction of communicable diseases. HHS exercised this authority as part of its COVID-19 response, including to allow for the expulsion of undocumented migrants at the border without any asylum processing. Under this bill, HHS may not terminate the restrictions for (1) at least 60 days after it notifies Congress of the end of the COVID-19 emergency, and (2) at least 30 days after it submits to Congress a plan for addressing the possible influx of migrants or imports resulting from lifting the restrictions.