3141 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
(ii) in subparagraph (G)— 
(I) by redesignating clauses (i) 
and (ii) as subclauses (I) and (II) and 
adjusting the margins accordingly; 
(II) in the matter preceding sub-
clause (I), as so redesignated— 
(aa) by inserting ‘‘each year, 
including 
national-level 
and 
State-level full-scale exercises not 
less than once every 4 years’’ after 
‘‘operational exercises’’; and 
(bb) by striking ‘‘exercises 
based on—’’ and inserting ‘‘exer-
cises— 
‘‘(i) based on’’; 
(III) by striking the period and 
inserting a semicolon; and 
(IV) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(ii) that assess the ability of the Stra-
tegic National Stockpile, as appropriate, to 
provide medical countermeasures, medical 
products, and other supplies, including an-
cillary medical supplies, to support the re-
sponse to a public health emergency or po-
3142 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
tential public health emergency, including a 
threat that requires the large-scale and si-
multaneous deployment of stockpiles and a 
long-term public health and medical re-
sponse; and 
‘‘(iii) conducted in coordination with 
State and local health officials.’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(J) MEDICAL PRODUCT AND SUPPLY CA-
PACITY PLANNING.—Coordinate efforts within the 
Department of Health and Human Services to 
support— 
‘‘(i) preparedness for medical product 
and medical supply needs directly related to 
responding to chemical, biological, radio-
logical, or nuclear threats, including emerg-
ing infectious diseases, and incidents cov-
ered by the National Response Framework, 
including— 
‘‘(I) sharing information, includ-
ing with appropriate stakeholders, re-
lated to the anticipated need for, and 
availability of, such products and sup-
plies during such responses;
3143 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(II) supporting activities, which 
may include public-private partner-
ships, to maintain capacity of medical 
products and medical supplies, as ap-
plicable and appropriate; and 
‘‘(III) 
planning 
for 
potential 
surges in medical supply needs for 
purposes of a response to such a threat; 
and 
‘‘(ii) situational awareness with re-
spect to anticipated need for, and avail-
ability of, such medical products and med-
ical supplies within the United States dur-
ing a response to such a threat.’’. 
(c) APPEARANCES BEFORE AND REPORTS TO CON-
GRESS.—Section 2811 of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 300hh–10) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(g) APPEARANCES BEFORE CONGRESS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Each fiscal year, the Assist-
ant Secretary for Preparedness and Response shall 
appear before the Committee on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee 
on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representa-
tives at hearings, on topics such as—
3144 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(A) coordination of Federal activities to 
prepare for, and respond to, public health emer-
gencies; 
‘‘(B) activities and capabilities of the Stra-
tegic National Stockpile, including whether, and 
the degree to which, recommendations made pur-
suant to section 2811–1(c)(1)(A) have been met; 
‘‘(C) support for State, local, and Tribal 
public health and medical preparedness; 
‘‘(D) activities implementing the counter-
measures budget plan described under subsection 
(b)(7), including— 
‘‘(i) any challenges in meeting the full 
range of identified medical countermeasure 
needs; and 
‘‘(ii) progress in supporting advanced 
research, development, and procurement of 
medical countermeasures, pursuant to sub-
section (b)(3); 
‘‘(E) the strategic direction of, and activi-
ties related to, the sustainment of manufacturing 
surge capacity and capabilities for medical coun-
termeasures pursuant to section 319L and the 
distribution and deployment of such counter-
measures;
3145 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(F) any additional objectives, activities, or 
initiatives that have been carried out or are 
planned by the Assistant Secretary for Prepared-
ness and Response and associated challenges, as 
appropriate; 
‘‘(G) the specific all-hazards threats that the 
Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Re-
sponse is preparing to address, or that are being 
addressed, through the activities described in 
subparagraphs (A) through (F); and 
‘‘(H) objectives, activities, or initiatives re-
lated to the coordination and consultation re-
quired under subsections (b)(4)(H) and (b)(4)(I), 
in a manner consistent with paragraph (3), as 
appropriate. 
‘‘(2) CLARIFICATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) WAIVER
AUTHORITY.—The Chair of 
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions of the Senate or the Chair of the Com-
mittee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
Representatives may waive the requirements of 
paragraph (1) for the applicable fiscal year with 
respect to the applicable Committee. 
‘‘(B) SCOPE OF REQUIREMENTS.—The re-
quirements of this subsection shall not be con-
3146 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
strued to impact the appearance of other Federal 
officials or the Assistant Secretary at hearings of 
either Committee described in paragraph (1) at 
other times and for purposes other than the times 
and purposes described in paragraph (1) 
‘‘(3) CLOSED
HEARINGS.—Information that is 
not appropriate for disclosure during an open hear-
ing under paragraph (1) in order to protect national 
security may instead be discussed in a closed hearing 
that immediately follows such open hearing.’’. 
(d) ANNUAL REPORT ON EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND 
PREPAREDNESS.—Section 2801 of the Public Health Serv-
ice Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh), as amended by subsection (b), 
is further amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) ANNUAL REPORT ON EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND 
PREPAREDNESS.—The Secretary shall submit a written re-
port each fiscal year to the Committee on Health, Edu-
cation, Labor, and Pensions and the Committee on Appro-
priations of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and 
Commerce and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
House of Representatives, containing— 
‘‘(1) updated information related to an assess-
ment of the response to any public health emergency 
declared, or otherwise in effect, during the previous 
fiscal year;
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(2) findings related to drills and operational 
exercises completed in the previous fiscal year pursu-
ant to section 2811(b)(4)(G); 
‘‘(3) the state of public health preparedness and 
response capabilities for chemical, biological, radio-
logical, and nuclear threats, including emerging infec-
tious diseases; and 
‘‘(4) any challenges in preparing for or respond-
ing to such threats, as appropriate.’’. 
(e) GAO REPORT ON INTERAGENCY AGREEMENTS AND 
COORDINATION.—Not later than 3 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
States shall— 
(1) conduct a review of previous and current 
interagency agreements established between the Sec-
retary of Health and Human Services and the heads 
of other relevant Federal departments or agencies pur-
suant to section 2801(b) of the Public Health Service 
Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh(b)), including— 
(A) the specific roles and responsibilities of 
each Federal department or agency that is a 
party to any such interagency agreement; 
(B) the manner in which specific capabili-
ties of each such Federal department or agency
3148 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
may be utilized under such interagency agree-
ments; 
(C) the frequency with which such inter-
agency agreements have been utilized; 
(D) gaps, if any, in interagency agreements 
that prevent the Secretary from carrying out the 
goals under section 2802 of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh–1); 
(E) barriers, if any, to establishing or uti-
lizing such interagency agreements; and 
(F) recommendations, if any, on the ways 
in which such interagency agreements can be im-
proved to address the gaps and barriers identi-
fied under subparagraphs (D) and (E); 
(2) conduct a review of the implementation and 
utilization of the authorities described under section 
2801(c) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
300hh(c)); and 
(3) submit to the Committee on Health, Edu-
cation, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
Representatives a report on the reviews under para-
graphs (1) and (2), including related recommenda-
tions, as applicable.
3149 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
SEC. 2104. OFFICE OF PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS AND RE-
SPONSE POLICY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established in the Execu-
tive Office of the President an Office of Pandemic Prepared-
ness and Response Policy (referred to in this section as the 
‘‘Office’’), which shall be headed by a Director (referred to 
in this section as the ‘‘Director’’) appointed by the Presi-
dent and who shall be compensated at the rate provided for 
level II of the Executive Schedule in section 5313 of title 
5, United States Code. The President is authorized to ap-
point not more than 2 Associate Directors, who shall be 
compensated at a rate not to exceed that provided for level 
III of the Executive Schedule in section 5314 of such title. 
Associate Directors shall perform such functions as the Di-
rector may prescribe. 
(b) FUNCTIONS
OF
THE DIRECTOR.—The primary 
function of the Director is to provide advice, within the Ex-
ecutive Office of the President, on policy related to pre-
paredness for, and response to, pandemic and other biologi-
cal threats that may impact national security, and support 
strategic coordination and communication with respect to 
relevant activities across the Federal Government. In addi-
tion to such other functions and activities as the President 
may assign, the Director, consistent with applicable laws 
and the National Response Framework, shall—
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
(1) serve as the principal advisor to the Presi-
dent on all matters related to pandemic preparedness 
and response policy and make recommendations to 
the President regarding pandemic and other biologi-
cal threats that may impact national security; 
(2) coordinate Federal activities to prepare for, 
and respond to, pandemic and other biological 
threats, by— 
(A) providing strategic direction to the 
heads of applicable Federal departments, agen-
cies, and offices, including— 
(i) the establishment, implementation, 
prioritization, and assessment of policy 
goals and objectives across the Executive Of-
fice of the President and such departments, 
agencies, and offices; 
(ii) supporting the assessment and 
clarification of roles and responsibilities re-
lated to such Federal activities; and 
(iii) supporting the development and 
implementation of metrics and performance 
measures to evaluate the extent to which ap-
plicable activities meet such goals and objec-
tives;
3151 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
(B) providing, in consultation with the Sec-
retary of Health and Human Services and the 
heads of other relevant Federal departments, 
agencies, and offices, leadership with respect to 
the National Biodefense Strategy and related ac-
tivities pursuant to section 1086 of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 
(6 U.S.C. 104) and section 363 of the William 
M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Author-
ization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (6 U.S.C. 105); 
(C) facilitating coordination and commu-
nication between such Federal departments, 
agencies, and offices to improve preparedness for, 
and response to, such threats; 
(D) ensuring that the authorities, capabili-
ties, and expertise of each such department, 
agency, and office are appropriately leveraged to 
facilitate the whole-of-Government response to 
such threats; 
(E) overseeing coordination of Federal ef-
forts to prepare for and support the production, 
supply, and distribution of relevant medical 
products and supplies during a response to a 
pandemic or other biological threat, as applica-
ble and appropriate, including supporting Fed-
3152 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
eral efforts to assess any relevant vulnerabilities 
in the supply chain of such products and sup-
plies, and identify opportunities for private enti-
ties to engage with the Federal Government to 
address medical product and medical supply 
needs during such a response; 
(F) overseeing coordination of Federal ef-
forts for the basic and advanced research, devel-
opment, manufacture, and procurement of med-
ical countermeasures for such threats, including 
by— 
(i) serving, with the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services, as co-Chair of 
the Public Health Emergency Medical 
Countermeasures 
Enterprise 
established 
pursuant to section 2811–1 of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh–10a); 
(ii) promoting coordination between 
the medical countermeasure research, devel-
opment, and procurement activities of re-
spective Federal departments and agencies, 
including to advance the discovery and de-
velopment of new medical products and 
technologies;
3153 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
(G) convening heads of Federal departments 
and agencies, as appropriate, on topics related to 
capabilities to prepare for, and respond to, such 
threats; 
(H) assessing and advising on international 
cooperation in preparing for, and responding to, 
such threats to advance the national security ob-
jectives of the United States; and 
(I) overseeing other Federal activities to as-
sess preparedness for, and responses to, such 
threats, including— 
(i) drills and operational exercises con-
ducted pursuant to applicable provisions of 
law; and 
(ii) Federal after-action reports devel-
oped following such drills and exercises or a 
response to a pandemic or other biological 
threat; 
(3) promote and support the development of rel-
evant expertise and capabilities within the Federal 
Government to ensure that the United States can 
quickly detect, identify, and respond to such threats, 
and provide recommendations, as appropriate, to the 
President;
3154 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
(4) consult with the Director of the Office of 
Management and Budget and other relevant officials 
within the Executive Office of the President, includ-
ing the Assistant to the President for National Secu-
rity Affairs and the Director of the Office of Science 
and Technology Policy, regarding activities related to 
preparing for, and responding to, such threats and 
relevant research and emerging technologies that may 
advance the biosecurity and preparedness and re-
sponse goals of the Federal Government; 
(5) identify opportunities to leverage current and 
emerging technologies, including through public-pri-
vate partnerships, as appropriate, to address such 
threats and advance the preparedness and response 
goals of the Federal Government; and 
(6) ensure that findings of Federal after-action 
reports conducted pursuant to paragraph (2)(I)(ii) 
are implemented to the maximum extent feasible 
within the Federal Government. 
(c) SUPPORT FROM OTHER AGENCIES.—Each depart-
ment, agency, and instrumentality of the executive branch 
of the Federal Government, including any independent 
agency, is authorized to support the Director by providing 
the Director such information as the Director determines
3155 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
necessary to carry out the functions of the Director under 
this section. 
(d) PREPAREDNESS OUTLOOK REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Within its first year of oper-
ation, the Director, in consultation with the heads of 
relevant Federal departments and agencies and other 
officials within the Executive Office of the President, 
shall through a report submitted to the President and 
made available to the public, to the extent practicable, 
identify and describe situations and conditions which 
warrant special attention within the next 5 years, in-
volving current and emerging problems of national 
significance related to pandemic or other biological 
threats, and opportunities for, and the barriers to, the 
research, development, and procurement of medical 
countermeasures to adequately respond to such 
threats. 
(2) REVISIONS.—The Office shall revise the re-
port under paragraph (1) not less than once every 5 
years and work with relevant Federal officials to ad-
dress the problems, barriers, opportunities, and ac-
tions identified under this report through the develop-
ment of the President’s Budgets and programs. 
(e) INTERDEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP.—The Di-
rector shall lead an interdepartmental working group that
3156 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
will meet on a regular basis to evaluate national biosecurity 
and pandemic preparedness issues and make recommenda-
tions to the heads of applicable Federal departments, agen-
cies and offices. The working group shall consist of rep-
resentatives from— 
(1) the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Re-
sponse Policy, to serve as the chair; 
(2) the Department of Health and Human Serv-
ices; 
(3) the Department of Homeland Security; 
(4) the Department of Defense; 
(5) the Office of Management and Budget; and 
(6) other Federal Departments and agencies. 
(f) INDUSTRY LIAISON.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 10 days after 
the initiation of a Federal response to a pandemic or 
other biological threat that may pose a risk to na-
tional security, the Director shall appoint an Indus-
try Liaison within the Office of Pandemic Prepared-
ness and Response Policy to serve until the termi-
nation of such response. 
(2) ACTIVITIES.—The Industry Liaison shall— 
(A) not later than 20 days after the initi-
ation of such response, identify affected indus-
tries and develop a plan to regularly commu-
3157 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
nicate with, and receive input from, affected in-
dustries; 
(B) work with relevant Federal departments 
and agencies to support information sharing and 
coordination with industry stakeholders; and 
(C) communicate, and support the provision 
of technical assistance, as applicable, with pri-
vate entities interested in supporting such re-
sponse, which may include entities not histori-
cally involved in the public health or medical 
sectors, as applicable and appropriate. 
(g) ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS OF THE DIRECTOR.—The 
Director, in addition to the other duties and functions set 
forth in this section— 
(1) shall— 
(A) serve as a member of the Domestic Pol-
icy Council and the National Security Council; 
(B) serve as a member of the Intergovern-
mental Science, Engineering, and Technology 
Advisory Panel under section 205(b) of the Na-
tional Science and Technology Policy, Organiza-
tion, and Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 
6614(b)) and the Federal Coordinating Council 
for Science, Engineering and Technology under 
section 401 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 6651);
3158 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
(C) consult with State, Tribal, local, and 
territorial governments, industry, academia, pro-
fessional societies, and other stakeholders, as ap-
propriate; 
(D) use for administrative purposes, on a 
reimbursable basis, the available services, equip-
ment, personnel, and facilities of Federal, State, 
and local agencies; and 
(E) at the President’s request, perform such 
other duties and functions and enter into con-
tracts and other arrangements for studies, anal-
yses, and related services with public or private 
entities, as applicable and appropriate; and 
(2) may hold such hearings in various parts of 
the United States as necessary to determine the views 
of the entities and individuals referred to in para-
graph (1) and of the general public, concerning na-
tional needs and trends in pandemic preparedness 
and response. 
(h) STAFFING AND DETAILEES.—In carrying out func-
tions under this section, the Director may— 
(1) appoint not more than 25 individuals to 
serve as employees of the Office as necessary to carry 
out this section;
3159 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
(2) fix the compensation of such personnel at a 
rate to be determined by the Director, up to the 
amount of annual compensation (excluding expenses) 
specified in section 102 of title 3, United States Code; 
(3) utilize the services of consultants, which may 
include by obtaining services described under section 
3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates not to 
exceed the rate of basic pay for level IV of the Execu-
tive Schedule; and 
(4) direct, with the concurrence of the Secretary 
of a department or head of an agency, the temporary 
reassignment within the Federal Government of per-
sonnel employed by such department or agency, in 
order to carry out the functions of the Office. 
(i) PREPAREDNESS REVIEW AND REPORT.—The Di-
rector, in consultation with the heads of applicable Federal 
departments, agencies, and offices, shall— 
(1) not later than 1 year after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, conduct a review of applicable Fed-
eral strategies, policies, procedures, and after-action 
reports to identify gaps and inefficiencies related to 
pandemic preparedness and response; 
(2) not later than 18 months after the date of en-
actment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, sub-
mit to the President and the Committee on Health,
3160 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
Representatives a report describing— 
(A) current and emerging pandemic and 
other biological threats that pose a significant 
level of risk to national security; 
(B) the roles and responsibilities of the Fed-
eral Government in preparing for, and respond-
ing to, such threats; 
(C) the findings of the review conducted 
under paragraph (1); 
(D) any barriers or limitations related to 
addressing such findings; 
(E) current and planned activities to up-
date Federal strategies, policies, and procedures 
to address such findings, consistent with applica-
ble laws and the National Response Framework; 
(F) current and planned activities to sup-
port the development of expertise within the Fed-
eral Government pursuant to subsection (b)(3); 
and 
(G) opportunities to improve Federal pre-
paredness and response capacities and capabili-
ties through the use of current and emerging 
technologies.
3161 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
(j) NONDUPLICATION OF EFFORT.—The Director shall 
ensure that activities carried out under this section do not 
unnecessarily duplicate the efforts of other Federal depart-
ments, agencies, and offices. 
(k) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 2811–1 of the Public Health Service 
Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh–10a) is amended— 
(A) in the second sentence of subsection (a), 
by striking ‘‘shall serve as chair’’ and inserting 
‘‘and the Director of the Office of Pandemic Pre-
paredness and Response Policy shall serve as co- 
chairs’’; and 
(B) in subsection (b)— 
(i) by redesignating paragraph (10) as 
paragraph (11); and 
(ii) by inserting after paragraph (9) 
the following: 
‘‘(10) The Director of the Office of Pandemic 
Preparedness and Response Policy.’’. 
(2) Section 101(c)(1) of the National Security 
Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3021(c)(1)) is amended by in-
serting ‘‘the Director of the Office of Pandemic Pre-
paredness and Response Policy’’ after ‘‘Treasury,’’.
3162 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
(3) The National Science and Technology Policy, 
Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 
6601 et seq.) is amended— 
(A) 
in 
section 
205(b)(2) 
(42 
U.S.C. 
6614(b)(2))— 
(i) by striking ‘‘and (C)’’ and inserting 
‘‘(C)’’; and 
(ii) by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ‘‘; and (D) the Director of the 
Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Re-
sponse Policy.’’; and 
(B) in section 401(b) (42 U.S.C. 6651(b)), 
by inserting ‘‘, the Director of the Office of Pan-
demic Preparedness and Response Policy,’’ after 
‘‘Technology Policy’’. 
CHAPTER 2—STATE AND LOCAL 
READINESS 
SEC. 2111. IMPROVING STATE AND LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH 
SECURITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 319C–1(b)(2) of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d–3a(b)(2)) is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)—
3163 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
(A) in clause (vii), by inserting ‘‘during 
and’’ before ‘‘following a public health emer-
gency’’; 
(B) by amending clause (viii) to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(viii) a description of how the entity, 
as applicable and appropriate, will coordi-
nate with State emergency preparedness 
and response plans in public health emer-
gency preparedness, including State edu-
cation agencies (as defined in section 8101 
of the Elementary and Secondary Edu-
cation Act of 1965), State child care lead 
agencies (designated under section 658D of 
the Child Care and Development Block 
Grant Act of 1990), and other relevant 
State agencies’’; 
(C) in clause (xi), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and 
inserting a semicolon; 
(D) by redesignating clause (xii) as clause 
(xiii); and 
(E) by inserting after clause (xi) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(xii) a description of how the entity 
will provide technical assistance to improve
3164 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
public health preparedness and response, as 
appropriate, to agencies or other entities 
that operate facilities within the entity’s ju-
risdiction in which there is an increased 
risk of infectious disease outbreaks in the 
event of a public health emergency declared 
under section 319, such as residential care 
facilities, group homes, and other similar 
settings; and’’; 
(2) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) through 
(H) as subparagraphs (E) through (I), respectively; 
and 
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(D) an assurance that the entity will re-
quire relevant staff to complete relevant pre-
paredness and response trainings, including 
trainings related to efficient and effective oper-
ation during an incident or event within an In-
cident Command System;’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendments made by sub-
section (a) shall not apply with respect to any cooperative 
agreement entered into prior to the date of enactment of 
this Act.
3165 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
SEC. 2112. SUPPORTING ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH AND 
SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SERVICES DUR-
ING PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES. 
(a) AUTHORITIES.—Section 501(d) of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290aa(d)) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (24) and (25) 
as paragraphs (25) and (26), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (23) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(24) support the continued access to, or avail-
ability of, mental health and substance use disorder 
services during, or in response to, a public health 
emergency declared under section 319, including in 
consultation with, as appropriate, the Assistant Sec-
retary for Preparedness and Response, the Director of 
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 
the heads of other relevant agencies, in preparing for, 
and responding to, a public health emergency;’’. 
(b) STRATEGIC PLAN.—Section 501(l)(4) of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290aa(l)(4)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (E), by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; 
(2) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following:
3166 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(G) specify a strategy to support the con-
tinued access to, or availability of, mental health 
and substance use disorder services, including to 
at-risk individuals (as defined in section 
2802(b)(4)), during, or in response to, public 
health emergencies declared pursuant to section 
319.’’. 
(c) BIENNIAL REPORT CONCERNING ACTIVITIES AND 
PROGRESS.—Section 501(m) of the Public Health Service 
Act (42 U.S.C. 290aa(m)) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (7) 
as paragraphs (5) through (8), respectively; 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(4) a description of the Administration’s activi-
ties to support the continued provision of mental 
health and substance use disorder services, as applica-
ble, in response to public health emergencies declared 
pursuant to section 319;’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (5), as so redesignated— 
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) 
and (E) as subparagraphs (E) and (F), respec-
tively; and 
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the 
following:
3167 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(D) relevant preparedness and response ac-
tivities;’’. 
(d) ADVISORY COUNCILS.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary 
for Mental Health and Substance Use shall issue a report 
to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pen-
sions and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate 
and the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Com-
mittee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, 
reflecting the feedback of the advisory councils for the Center 
for Substance Abuse Treatment, the Center for Substance 
Abuse Prevention, and the Center for Mental Health Serv-
ices, pursuant to section 502 of the Public Health Service 
Act (42 U.S.C. 290aa–1), with recommendations to improve 
the continued provision of mental health and substance use 
disorder services during a public health emergency declared 
under section 319 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 247d), and the 
provision of such services as part of the public health and 
medical response to such an emergency, consistent with title 
XXVIII of such Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh et seq.), including 
related to the capacity of the mental health and substance 
use disorder workforce and flexibilities provided to awardees 
of mental health and substance use disorder programs. 
(e) GAO REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of
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the United States shall submit to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Represent-
atives a report on programs and activities of the Substance 
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to sup-
port the provision of mental health and substance use dis-
order services and related activities during the COVID–19 
pandemic, including the provision of such services as part 
of the medical and public health response to such pandemic. 
Such report shall— 
(1) examine the role played by the advisory 
councils described in section 502 of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290aa–1) and the National 
Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Laboratory 
established under section 501A of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
290aa–0) in providing technical assistance and rec-
ommendations to the Substance Abuse and Mental 
Health Services Administration to support the re-
sponse of such agency to the public health emergency 
declared under section 319 of the Public Health Serv-
ice Act (42 U.S.C. 247d) with respect to COVID–19; 
(2) describe the manner in which existing 
awardees of mental health and substance use disorder 
programs provided and altered delivery of services 
during such public health emergency, including infor-
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
mation on the populations served by such awardees 
and any barriers faced in delivering services; and 
(3) describe activities of the Substance Abuse and 
Mental Health Services Administration to support the 
response to such public health emergency, including 
through technical assistance, provision of services, 
and any flexibilities provided to such existing award-
ees, and any barriers faced in implementing such ac-
tivities. 
SEC. 2113. TRAUMA CARE REAUTHORIZATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1201 of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300d) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (3)— 
(i) by inserting ‘‘analyze,’’ after ‘‘com-
pile,’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘and medically un-
derserved areas’’ before the semicolon; 
(B) in paragraph (4), by adding ‘‘and’’ 
after the semicolon; 
(C) by striking paragraph (5); and 
(D) by redesignating paragraph (6) as 
paragraph (5); 
(2) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection 
(c); and
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
(3) by inserting after subsection (a) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(b) TRAUMA
CARE
READINESS
AND
COORDINA-
TION.—The Secretary, acting through the Assistant Sec-
retary for Preparedness and Response, shall support the ef-
forts of States and consortia of States to coordinate and 
improve emergency medical services and trauma care dur-
ing a public health emergency declared by the Secretary 
pursuant to section 319 or a major disaster or emergency 
declared by the President under section 401 or 501, respec-
tively, of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer-
gency Assistance Act. Such support may include— 
‘‘(1) developing, issuing, and updating guidance, 
as appropriate, to support the coordinated medical 
triage and evacuation to appropriate medical institu-
tions based on patient medical need, taking into ac-
count regionalized systems of care; 
‘‘(2) disseminating, as appropriate, information 
on evidence-based or evidence-informed trauma care 
practices, taking into consideration emergency med-
ical services and trauma care systems, including such 
practices identified through activities conducted under 
subsection (a) and which may include the identifica-
tion and dissemination of performance metrics, as 
applicable and appropriate; and
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(3) other activities, as appropriate, to optimize 
a coordinated and flexible approach to the emergency 
response and medical surge capacity of hospitals, 
other health care facilities, critical care, and emer-
gency medical systems.’’. 
(b) GRANTS TO IMPROVE TRAUMA CARE IN RURAL 
AREAS.—Section 1202 of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 300d–3) is amended— 
(1) by amending the section heading to read as 
follows: ‘‘GRANTS TO IMPROVE TRAUMA CARE IN 
RURAL AREAS’’; 
(2) by amending subsections (a) and (b) to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall award grants 
to eligible entities for the purpose of carrying out research 
and demonstration projects to support the improvement of 
emergency medical services and trauma care in rural areas 
through the development of innovative uses of technology, 
training and education, transportation of seriously injured 
patients for the purposes of receiving such emergency med-
ical services, access to prehospital care, evaluation of proto-
cols for the purposes of improvement of outcomes and dis-
semination of any related best practices, activities to facili-
tate clinical research, as applicable and appropriate, and
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
increasing communication and coordination with applica-
ble State or Tribal trauma systems. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—To be eligible to receive a 
grant under this section, an entity shall be a public 
or private entity that provides trauma care in a 
rural area. 
‘‘(2) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under this 
section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible en-
tities that will provide services under the grant in 
any rural area identified by a State under section 
1214(d)(1).’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) REPORTS.—An entity that receives a grant under 
this section shall submit to the Secretary such reports as 
the Secretary may require to inform administration of the 
program under this section.’’. 
(c) COMPETITIVE GRANTS FOR TRAUMA CENTERS.— 
Section 1204 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
300d–6) is amended— 
(1) by amending the section heading to read as 
follows: ‘‘COMPETITIVE
GRANTS
FOR
TRAUMA 
CENTERS’’; 
(2) in subsection (a)—
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
(A) by striking ‘‘that design, implement, 
and evaluate’’ and inserting ‘‘to design, imple-
ment, and evaluate new or existing’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘emergency care’’ and in-
serting ‘‘emergency medical’’; and 
(C) by inserting ‘‘, and improve access to 
trauma care within such systems’’ before the pe-
riod; 
(3) in subsection (b)(1), by striking subpara-
graphs (A) and (B) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) a State or consortia of States; 
‘‘(B) an Indian Tribe or Tribal organiza-
tion (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self- 
Determination and Education Assistance Act); 
‘‘(C) a consortium of level I, II, or III trau-
ma centers designated by applicable State or 
local agencies within an applicable State or re-
gion, and, as applicable, other emergency services 
providers; or 
‘‘(D) a consortium or partnership of non-
profit Indian Health Service, Indian Tribal, and 
urban Indian trauma centers.’’; 
(4) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1)—
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
(i) by striking ‘‘that proposes a pilot 
project’’; 
(ii) by striking ‘‘an emergency medical 
and trauma system that—’’ and inserting 
‘‘a new or existing emergency medical and 
trauma system. Such eligible entity shall 
use amounts awarded under this subsection 
to carry out 2 or more of the following ac-
tivities:’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1) — 
(i) by striking ‘‘coordinates’’ and in-
serting ‘‘Strengthening coordination and 
communication’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘an approach to emer-
gency medical and trauma system access 
throughout the region, including 9–1–1 
Public Safety Answering Points and emer-
gency medical dispatch;’’ and inserting 
‘‘approaches to improve situational aware-
ness and emergency medical and trauma 
system access.’’; 
(C) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘includes’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘Providing’’;
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘support patient 
movement to’’ after ‘‘region to’’; and 
(iii) by striking the semicolon and in-
serting a period; 
(D) in paragraph (3)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘allows for’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘Improving’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting 
a period; 
(E) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘includes 
a consistent’’ and inserting ‘‘Supporting a con-
sistent’’; and 
(F) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) Establishing, implementing, and dissemi-
nating, or utilizing existing, as applicable, evidence- 
based or evidence-informed practices across facilities 
within such emergency medical and trauma system to 
improve health outcomes, including such practices re-
lated to management of injuries, and the ability of 
such facilities to surge. 
‘‘(6) Conducting activities to facilitate clinical 
research, as applicable and appropriate.’’; 
(5) in subsection (d)(2)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A)—
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i), 
by striking ‘‘the proposed’’ and inserting 
‘‘the applicable emergency medical and 
trauma system’’; 
(ii) in clause (i), by inserting ‘‘or 
Tribal entity’’ after ‘‘equivalent State of-
fice’’; and 
(iii) in clause (vi), by striking ‘‘; and’’ 
and inserting a semicolon; 
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as 
subparagraph (C); and 
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the 
following: 
‘‘(B) for eligible entities described in sub-
paragraph (C) or (D) of subsection (b)(1), a de-
scription of, and evidence of, coordination with 
the applicable State Office of Emergency Medical 
Services (or equivalent State Office) or applica-
ble such office for a Tribe or Tribal organization; 
and’’; 
(6) in subsection (e), by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(3) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The matching require-
ment described in paragraph (1) shall take effect on 
October 1, 2025.’’;
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
(7) in subsection (f), by striking ‘‘population in 
a medically underserved area’’ and inserting ‘‘medi-
cally underserved population’’; 
(8) in subsection (g)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘described in’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘the sys-
tem characteristics that contribute to’’ and in-
serting ‘‘opportunities for improvement, includ-
ing recommendations for how to improve’’; 
(C) by striking paragraph (4); 
(D) by redesignating paragraphs (5) and 
(6) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; 
(E) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated, by 
striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting a semicolon; 
(F) in paragraph (5), as so redesignated, by 
striking the period and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(G) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) any evidence-based or evidence-informed 
strategies developed or utilized pursuant to subsection 
(c)(5).’’; and 
(9) by amending subsection (h) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(h) DISSEMINATION OF FINDINGS.—Not later than 1 
year after the completion of the final project under sub-
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
section (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and 
the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
Representatives a report describing the information con-
tained in each report submitted pursuant to subsection (g) 
and any additional actions planned by the Secretary re-
lated to regionalized emergency care and trauma systems.’’. 
(d) PROGRAM FUNDING.—Section 1232(a) of the Pub-
lic Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300d–32(a)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘2010 through 2014’’ and inserting ‘‘2023 
through 2027’’. 
SEC. 2114. ASSESSMENT OF CONTAINMENT AND MITIGA-
TION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES. 
(a) GAO STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a study that reviews a geo-
graphically diverse sample of States and territories that, 
in response to the COVID–19 pandemic, implemented pre-
paredness and response plans that included isolation and 
quarantine recommendations or requirements. Such study 
shall include— 
(1) a review of such State and territorial pre-
paredness and response plans in place during the 
COVID–19 pandemic, an assessment of the extent to 
which such plans facilitated or presented challenges to 
State and territorial responses to such public health
3179 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
emergency, including response activities relating to 
isolation and quarantine to prevent the spread of 
COVID–19; and 
(2) a description of the technical assistance pro-
vided by the Federal Government to help States and 
territories facilitate such response activities during 
responses to relevant public health emergencies de-
clared by the Secretary of Health and Human Serv-
ices pursuant to section 319 of the Public Health 
Service Act, including the public health emergency 
with respect to COVID–19, and a review of the degree 
to which such State and territorial plans were imple-
mented and subsequently revised in response to the 
COVID–19 pandemic to address any challenges. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall submit a report on the study under sub-
section (a) to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy 
and Commerce of the House of Representatives. 
SEC. 2115. CONSIDERATION OF UNIQUE CHALLENGES IN 
NONCONTIGUOUS STATES AND TERRITORIES. 
During any public health emergency declared under 
section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
247d), the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall
3180 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
conduct quarterly meetings or consultations, as applicable 
or appropriate, with noncontiguous States and territories 
with regard to addressing unique public health challenges 
in such States and territories associated with such public 
health emergency. 
Subtitle 
B—Improving 
Public 
Health Preparedness and Re-
sponse Capacity 
CHAPTER 1—IMPROVING PUBLIC HEALTH 
EMERGENCY RESPONSES 
SEC. 2201. ADDRESSING FACTORS RELATED TO IMPROVING 
HEALTH OUTCOMES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Part B of title III of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 243 et seq.) is amended— 
(1) by inserting after section 317U the following: 
‘‘SEC. 317V. ADDRESSING FACTORS RELATED TO IMPROV-
ING HEALTH OUTCOMES. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may, as appro-
priate, award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements 
to eligible entities for the conduct of evidence-based or evi-
dence-informed projects, which may include the develop-
ment of networks to improve health outcomes by improving 
the capacity of such entities to address factors that con-
tribute to negative health outcomes in communities.
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—To be eligible to receive an 
award under this section, an entity shall— 
‘‘(1)(A) be a State, local, or Tribal health de-
partment, community-based organization, Indian 
Tribe or Tribal organization (as such terms are de-
fined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination 
and Education Assistance Act), urban Indian organi-
zation (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Health 
Care Improvement Act), or other public or private en-
tity, as the Secretary determines appropriate; or 
‘‘(B) be a consortia of entities described in sub-
paragraph (A) or a public-private partnership, in-
cluding a community partnership; 
‘‘(2) submit to the Secretary an application at 
such time, in such manner, and containing such in-
formation as the Secretary shall require; 
‘‘(3) in the case of an entity other than a com-
munity-based organization, demonstrate a history of 
successfully working with an established community- 
based organization to address health outcomes; and 
‘‘(4) submit a plan to conduct activities de-
scribed in subsection (a) based on a community needs 
assessment that takes into account community input. 
‘‘(c) USE OF FUNDS.—An entity described in sub-
section (b) shall use funds received under subsection (a), in
3182 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
consultation with State, local, and Tribal health depart-
ments, community-based organizations, entities serving 
medically underserved communities, and other entities, as 
applicable, for one or more of the following purposes: 
‘‘(1) Supporting the implementation, evaluation, 
and dissemination of strategies, through evidence-in-
formed or evidence-based programs and through the 
support and use of public health and health care pro-
fessionals to address factors related to health out-
comes. 
‘‘(2) Establishing, maintaining, or improving, 
in consultation with State, local, or Tribal health de-
partments, technology platforms or networks to sup-
port, in a manner that is consistent with applicable 
Federal and State privacy law— 
‘‘(A) coordination among appropriate enti-
ties, and, as applicable and appropriate, activi-
ties to improve such coordination; 
‘‘(B) information sharing on health and re-
lated social services; and 
‘‘(C) technical assistance and related sup-
port for entities participating in the platforms 
or networks.
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(3) Implementing best practices for improving 
health outcomes and reducing disease among under-
served populations. 
‘‘(4) Supporting consideration of factors related 
to health outcomes in preparing for, and responding 
to, public health emergencies, through outreach, edu-
cation, research, and other relevant activities. 
‘‘(d) BEST
PRACTICES
AND
TECHNICAL
ASSIST-
ANCE.—The Secretary, in consultation with the Director of 
the Office of Minority Health, the National Coordinator for 
Health Information Technology, and the Administrator of 
the Administration for Community Living, may award 
grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements to public or 
nonprofit private entities, including minority serving insti-
tutions (defined, for purposes of this subsection, as institu-
tions and programs described in section 326(e)(1) of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 and institutions described 
in section 371(a) of such Act of 1965), to— 
‘‘(1) identify or facilitate the development of best 
practices to support improved health outcomes for un-
derserved populations; 
‘‘(2) provide technical assistance, training, and 
evaluation assistance to award recipients under sub-
section (a);
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(3) disseminate best practices, including to 
award recipients under subsection (a); and 
‘‘(4) leverage, establish, or operate regional cen-
ters to develop, evaluate, and disseminate effective 
strategies on factors related to health outcomes, in-
cluding supporting research and training related to 
such strategies. 
‘‘(e) AWARD PERIODS.—The Secretary shall issue 
awards under this section for periods of not more than 5 
years and may issue extensions of such award periods for 
an additional period of up to 3 years. 
‘‘(f) REPORT.—Not later than September 30, 2026, the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Health, Edu-
cation, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Represent-
atives a report that includes information on activities fund-
ed under this section. Such report shall include a descrip-
tion of— 
‘‘(1) changes in the capacity of public health en-
tities to address factors related to health outcomes in 
communities, including any applicable platforms or 
networks developed or utilized to coordinate health 
and related social services and any changes in work-
force capacity or capabilities;
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(2) improvements in health outcomes and in re-
ducing health disparities in medically underserved 
communities; 
‘‘(3) activities conducted to support consider-
ation of factors related to health outcomes in pre-
paring for, and responding to, public health emer-
gencies, through outreach, education, and other rel-
evant activities; 
‘‘(4) communities and populations served by re-
cipients of awards under subsection (a); 
‘‘(5) activities supported under subsection (e); 
and 
‘‘(6) other relevant activities and outcomes, as 
determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—To carry 
out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated 
$35,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027. Of 
the amounts appropriated under this subsection for a fiscal 
year, 5 percent shall be reserved for awards under sub-
section (a) to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations (as 
such terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Deter-
mination and Education Assistance Act), urban Indian or-
ganizations (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Health 
Care Improvement Act), and Tribal health departments.’’; 
and
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
(2) by striking section 330D (42 U.S.C. 254c–4). 
(b) GAO STUDY AND REPORT.—Not later than 4 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller Gen-
eral of the United States shall submit to the Committee on 
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and 
the Energy and Committee on Energy and Commerce of 
the House of Representatives a report on the program au-
thorized under section 317V of the Public Health Service 
Act, as added by subsection (a), including a review of the 
outcomes and effectiveness of the program and coordination 
with other programs in the Department of Health and 
Human Services with similar goals to ensure that there was 
no unnecessary duplication of efforts. 
CHAPTER 2—IMPROVING STATE, LOCAL, 
AND TRIBAL PUBLIC HEALTH DATA 
SEC. 2211. MODERNIZING STATE, LOCAL, AND TRIBAL BIO-
SURVEILLANCE CAPABILITIES AND INFEC-
TIOUS DISEASE DATA. 
Section 319D of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 247d–4) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(3)— 
(A) in the matter that precedes subpara-
graph (A), by striking ‘‘. Activities’’ and all that 
follows through ‘‘include’’ and inserting ‘‘, by’’; 
and
3187 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
(B) in subparagraph (D), by inserting ‘‘, 
infectious disease outbreaks,’’ after ‘‘bioter-
rorism’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘, and local’’ and 
inserting ‘‘, local, and Tribal’’; and 
(II) by adding ‘‘and’’ after the 
semicolon; 
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
‘‘; and’’ and inserting ‘‘;’’; and 
(iii) by striking subparagraph (C); 
and 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) by inserting ‘‘, deidentified’’ before 
‘‘information’’; and 
(ii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘The Secretary shall ensure that the activi-
ties carried out pursuant to the previous 
sentence are conducted in a manner that 
protects personal privacy, to the extent re-
quired by applicable Federal and State in-
formation privacy or security law, at a 
minimum.’’;
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
(3) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) by inserting ‘‘modernize,’’ after ‘‘es-
tablish,’’; 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘that is deidentified, 
as applicable,’’ after ‘‘share data and infor-
mation’’; 
(iii) by inserting ‘‘, to the extent prac-
ticable’’ before the period of the second sen-
tence; and 
(iv) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘The Secretary shall ensure that the activi-
ties carried out pursuant to this paragraph 
are conducted in a manner that protects 
personal privacy, to the extent required by 
applicable Federal and State information 
privacy or security law, at a minimum.’’; 
(B) in paragraph (3)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A)— 
(I) in clause (iii), by adding 
‘‘and’’ after the semicolon; 
(II) in clause (iv), by striking ‘‘; 
and’’ and inserting a period; and 
(III) by striking clause (v); and
3189 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by inserting 
‘‘, and make recommendations to improve 
the quality of data collected pursuant to 
subparagraph (A) to ensure complete, accu-
rate, and timely sharing of such data, as 
appropriate, across such elements as de-
scribed in subparagraph (A)’’ after ‘‘under 
subparagraph (A)’’; 
(C) in paragraph (5)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A)— 
(I) in the matter preceding clause 
(i), by striking ‘‘and operating’’ and 
inserting ‘‘, operating, and updating, 
as appropriate,’’; 
(II) in clause (iii)— 
(aa) by inserting ‘‘that is 
deidentified, as applicable,’’ after 
‘‘analyses’’; and 
(bb) by inserting ‘‘in accord-
ance with applicable Federal and 
State privacy and security law’’ 
before the semicolon at the end; 
(III) in clause (iv), by striking 
‘‘and’’ at the end;
3190 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
(IV) in clause (v), by striking the 
period and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(V) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(vi) in collaboration with State, local, 
and Tribal public health officials, integrate 
and update applicable existing public health 
data systems and networks of the Depart-
ment of Health and Human Services to re-
flect technological advancements, consistent 
with section 2823, as applicable.’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (B)— 
(I) in clause (i), by inserting 
‘‘and 180 days after the date of enact-
ment of the PREVENT Pandemics 
Act,’’ after ‘‘Innovation Act of 2019,’’; 
(II) in clause (ii), by striking 
‘‘and other representatives as the Sec-
retary determines appropriate’’ and 
inserting ‘‘experts in State-based pub-
lic health data systems; experts in 
standards and implementation speci-
fications, including transaction stand-
ards; and experts in privacy and data 
security’’; and
3191 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
(III) in clause (iii)— 
(aa) in subclause (IV), by in-
serting ‘‘, including existing pub-
lic health data systems’’ before the 
semicolon; 
(bb) in subclause (V), by 
striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(cc) in subclause (VI), by 
striking the period and inserting 
a semicolon; and 
(dd) by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(VII) strategies to integrate lab-
oratory and public health data systems 
and capabilities to support rapid and 
accurate reporting of laboratory test 
results and associated relevant data; 
‘‘(VIII) strategies to improve the 
collection, reporting, and dissemina-
tion 
of 
relevant, 
aggregated, 
deidentified demographic data to in-
form responses to public health emer-
gencies, including identification of at- 
risk populations and to address poten-
tial health disparities; and
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(IX) strategies to improve the 
electronic exchange of health informa-
tion, as appropriate, between State 
and local health departments and 
health care providers and facilities to 
improve the detection of, and responses 
to, potentially catastrophic infectious 
disease outbreaks.’’; 
(D) in paragraph (6)(A)— 
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i), 
by inserting ‘‘and every 5 years thereafter,’’ 
after ‘‘Innovation Act of 2019,’’ 
(ii) in clause (iii)— 
(I) in subclause (III), by striking 
‘‘and’’ at the end; and 
(II) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(V) improve coordination and 
collaboration, as appropriate, with 
other Federal departments to improve 
the capabilities of the network and re-
duce administrative burden on State, 
local, and Tribal entities; and 
‘‘(VI) implement applicable les-
sons learned from recent public health
3193 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
emergencies to address gaps in situa-
tional awareness and biosurveillance 
capabilities;’’; 
(iii) in clause (iv), by striking ‘‘and’’ 
at the end; 
(iv) in clause (v), by striking the pe-
riod and inserting ‘‘, including a descrip-
tion of how such steps will further the goals 
of the network, consistent with paragraph 
(1); and’’; and 
(v) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(vi) identifies and demonstrates meas-
urable steps the Secretary will take to fur-
ther develop and integrate infectious disease 
detection, support rapid, accurate, and se-
cure sharing of laboratory test results, 
deidentified as appropriate, during a public 
health emergency, and improve coordination 
and collaboration with State, local, and 
Tribal public health officials, clinical lab-
oratories, and other entities with expertise 
in public health surveillance.’’; and 
(E) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(9) RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.—
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‘‘(A) Nothing in this subsection shall be con-
strued to supplant, in whole or in part, State, 
local, or Tribal activities or responsibilities re-
lated to public health surveillance. 
‘‘(B) Nothing in this subsection shall be 
construed to alter the authority of the Secretary 
with respect to the types of data the Secretary 
may receive through systems supported or estab-
lished under this section.’’; 
(4) in subsection (d)— 
(A) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A)— 
(I) by inserting ‘‘deidentified’’ be-
fore ‘‘data, information’’; and 
(II) by inserting ‘‘, in consulta-
tion with such State or consortium of 
States’’ before the semicolon; 
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting 
‘‘, including any public-private partner-
ships or other partnerships entered into to 
improve such capacity’’ before the semi-
colon; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) NON-DUPLICATION OF EFFORT.—The Sec-
retary shall ensure that activities carried out under
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an award under this subsection do not unnecessarily 
duplicate efforts of other agencies and offices within 
the Department of Health and Human Services.’’; 
(5) by striking subsection (e); 
(6) by redesignating subsections (f), (g), (h), (i), 
and (j), as subsections (e), (f), (g), (h), and (i), re-
spectively; 
(7) by striking subsection (h), as redesignated by 
paragraph (6), and inserting the following: 
‘‘(h) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated— 
‘‘(1) to carry out subsection (a), $25,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023; and 
‘‘(2) to carry out subsections (b), (c), and (d), 
$136,800,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023.’’; 
and 
(8) by striking ‘‘tribal’’ each place it appears 
and inserting ‘‘Tribal’’. 
SEC. 2212. GENOMIC SEQUENCING, ANALYTICS, AND PUBLIC 
HEALTH SURVEILLANCE OF PATHOGENS. 
(a) GUIDANCE SUPPORTING GENOMIC SEQUENCING OF 
PATHOGENS COLLABORATION.—The Secretary of Health 
and Human Services (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Sec-
retary’’), in consultation with the heads of other Federal 
departments or agencies, as appropriate, shall issue guid-
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ance to support collaboration relating to genomic sequenc-
ing of pathogens, including the use of new and innovative 
approaches and technology for the detection, characteriza-
tion, and sequencing of pathogens, to improve public health 
surveillance and preparedness and response activities, con-
sistent with section 2824 of the Public Health Service Act, 
as added by subsection (b). Such guidance shall address the 
secure sharing, for public health surveillance purposes, of 
specimens of such pathogens, between appropriate entities 
and public health authorities, consistent with the regula-
tions promulgated under section 264(c) of the Health Insur-
ance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 
1320d–2 note), as applicable, and in a manner that protects 
personal privacy to the extent required by applicable pri-
vacy law, at a minimum, and the appropriate use of se-
quence data derived from such specimens. 
(b) GENOMIC SEQUENCING PROGRAM.—Title XXVIII 
of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh et seq.) 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 2824. GENOMIC SEQUENCING, ANALYTICS, AND PUB-
LIC HEALTH SURVEILLANCE OF PATHOGENS 
PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) GENOMIC SEQUENCING, ANALYTICS, AND PUBLIC 
HEALTH SURVEILLANCE OF PATHOGENS PROGRAM.—The 
Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for
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Disease Control and Prevention and in consultation with 
the Director of the National Institutes of Health and heads 
of other departments and agencies, as appropriate, shall 
strengthen and expand activities related to genomic se-
quencing of pathogens, including through new and innova-
tive approaches and technology for the detection, character-
ization, and sequencing of pathogens, analytics, and public 
health surveillance, including— 
‘‘(1) continuing and expanding activities, which 
may include existing genomic sequencing activities 
related to advanced molecular detection, to— 
‘‘(A) identify and respond to emerging in-
fectious disease threats; and 
‘‘(B) identify the potential use of genomic 
sequencing technologies, advanced computing, 
and other advanced technology to inform surveil-
lance activities and incorporate the use of such 
technologies, as appropriate, into related activi-
ties; 
‘‘(2) providing technical assistance and guidance 
to State, Tribal, local, and territorial public health 
departments to increase the capacity of such depart-
ments to perform genomic sequencing of pathogens, 
including recipients of funding under section 2821;
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‘‘(3) carrying out activities to enhance the capa-
bilities of the public health workforce with respect to 
pathogen genomics, epidemiology, and bioinformatics, 
including through training; and 
‘‘(4) continuing and expanding activities, as ap-
plicable, with public and private entities, including 
relevant departments and agencies, laboratories, aca-
demic institutions, and industry. 
‘‘(b) PARTNERSHIPS.—For the purposes of carrying 
out the activities described in subsection (a), the Secretary, 
acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Con-
trol and Prevention, may award grants, contracts, or coop-
erative agreements to entities, including academic and other 
laboratories, with expertise in genomic sequencing for pub-
lic health purposes, including new and innovative ap-
proaches to, and related technology for, the detection, char-
acterization, and sequencing of pathogens. 
‘‘(c) CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall, as ap-
propriate, award grants, contracts, or cooperative 
agreements to public health agencies for the establish-
ment or operation of centers of excellence to promote 
innovation in pathogen genomics and molecular epi-
demiology to improve the control of and response to
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pathogens that may cause a public health emergency. 
Such centers shall, as appropriate— 
‘‘(A) identify and evaluate the use of 
genomics, or other related technologies that may 
advance public health preparedness and re-
sponse; 
‘‘(B) improve the identification, develop-
ment, and use of tools for integrating and ana-
lyzing genomic and epidemiologic data; 
‘‘(C) assist with genomic surveillance of, 
and response to, infectious diseases, including 
analysis of pathogen genomic data; 
‘‘(D) conduct applied research to improve 
public health surveillance of, and response to, in-
fectious diseases through innovation in pathogen 
genomics and molecular epidemiology; and 
‘‘(E) develop and provide training mate-
rials for experts in the fields of genomics, micro-
biology, bioinformatics, epidemiology, and other 
fields, as appropriate. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS.—To be eligible for an 
award under paragraph (1), an entity shall submit to 
the Secretary an application containing such infor-
mation as the Secretary may require, including a de-
scription of how the entity will partner, as applica-
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ble, with academic institutions or a consortium of 
academic partners that have relevant expertise, such 
as microbial genomics, molecular epidemiology, or the 
application of bioinformatics or statistics.’’. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 90 days 
after the date of enactment of the PREVENT Pandemics 
Act, and 90 days following expenditure of all funds under 
section 2402 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub-
lic Law 117–2), the Director of the Centers for Disease Con-
trol and Prevention shall submit a report to the Committee 
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate 
and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House 
of Representatives outlining how funds awarded under such 
section 2402 were expended as of the date of such report. 
SEC. 2213. SUPPORTING STATE, LOCAL, AND TRIBAL PUBLIC 
HEALTH DATA. 
(a) DESIGNATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH DATA STAND-
ARDS.—Section 2823(a)(2) of the Public Health Service Act 
(42 U.S.C. 300hh–33(a)(2)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘In carrying out’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘shall, as appropriate and’’ and 
inserting ‘‘shall, not later than 2 years after the date 
of enactment of the PREVENT Pandemics Act,’’; and
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(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) NO DUPLICATIVE EFFORTS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the 
requirements of this paragraph, the Sec-
retary, in consultation with the Office of the 
National Coordinator for Health Informa-
tion Technology, may use input gathered 
(including input and recommendations 
gathered from the Health Information Tech-
nology Advisory Committee), and materials 
developed, prior to the date of enactment of 
the PREVENT Pandemics Act. 
‘‘(ii) DESIGNATION OF STANDARDS.— 
Consistent with sections 13111 and 13112 of 
the HITECH Act, the data and technology 
standards designated pursuant to this para-
graph shall align with the standards and 
implementation 
specifications 
previously 
adopted by the Secretary pursuant to sec-
tion 3004, as applicable. 
‘‘(C) PRIVACY AND SECURITY.—Nothing in 
this paragraph shall be construed as modifying 
applicable Federal or State information privacy 
or security law.’’.
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(b) STUDY
ON LABORATORY INFORMATION STAND-
ARDS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Office of the Na-
tional Coordinator for Health Information Tech-
nology shall conduct a study to review the use of 
standards for electronic ordering and reporting of lab-
oratory test results. 
(2) AREAS OF CONCENTRATION.—In conducting 
the study under paragraph (1), the Office of the Na-
tional Coordinator for Health Information Tech-
nology shall— 
(A) determine the extent to which clinical 
laboratories are using standards for electronic 
ordering and reporting of laboratory test results; 
(B) assess trends in laboratory compliance 
with standards for ordering and reporting lab-
oratory test results and the effect of such trends 
on the interoperability of laboratory data with 
public health data systems; 
(C) identify challenges related to collection 
and reporting of demographic and other data ele-
ments with respect to laboratory test results; 
(D) identify any challenges associated with 
using or complying with standards and report-