Public Health and Border Security Act of 2022

To establish a procedure for terminating the suspension of entries and imports from designated places related to the COVID–19 pandemic. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Public Health and Border Security Act of 2022 2. Termination of suspension of entries and imports from designated places related to the COVID–19 pandemic (a) In general An order of suspension described in subsection (b) shall not be lifted before the date that is 60 days after the date on which the Secretary of Health and Human Services provides written notification to the appropriate authorizing and appropriating committees of Congress that the public health emergency declaration described in subsection (b) has been terminated. (b) Order of suspension described An order of suspension described in this subsection is an order of suspension issued under section 362 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 265 42 U.S.C. 247d (c) 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) with respect to an order of suspension described in subsection (b), the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the head of any Federal agency, State, local, or Tribal government, and nongovernmental organization that has a role in managing outcomes associated with the suspension, as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall develop and submit to the appropriate authorizing and appropriating committees of Congress a plan to address any possible influx of entries or imports related to the termination of such order. (2) Failure to submit If a plan under paragraph (1) is not submitted to the appropriate authorizing and appropriating committees of Congress within the 30-day period described in such paragraph, not later than 7 days after the expiration of such 30-day period, the Secretary of Health and Human Services— (A) shall notify such 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) delay the termination of an order of suspension described in subsection (b) until the date that is 30 days after the date on which such plan is submitted to such committees.

Summary: Public Health and Border 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.