I 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 7152 
To strengthen and expand activities related to genomic sequencing of 
pathogens, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 18, 2022 
Mr. BERA (for himself, Mr. PETERS, and Mr. GRIJALVA) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
A BILL 
To strengthen and expand activities related to genomic 
sequencing of pathogens, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Tracking Pathogens 
Act’’. 
SEC. 2. GENOMIC SEQUENCING. 
(a) GUIDANCE SUPPORTING GENOMIC SEQUENCING 
OF
PATHOGENS
COLLABORATION.—The Secretary of 
Health and Human Services (referred to in this section 
as the ‘‘Secretary’’), acting through the Director of the 
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and in con-
sultation with the heads of other agencies and depart-
ments, as appropriate, shall issue guidance to support col-
laboration relating to genomic sequencing of pathogens, 
including the use of new and innovative approaches and 
technology for the detection, characterization, and se-
quencing of pathogens, to improve public health surveil-
lance and preparedness and response activities, consistent 
with section 2824 of the Public Health Service Act, as 
added by subsection (b). Such guidance shall address the 
sharing, for public health surveillance purposes, of speci-
mens of such pathogens, between appropriate entities and 
public health authorities pursuant to the regulations pro-
mulgated under section 264(c) of the Health Insurance 
Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 
1320d–2 note), in a manner that protects personal privacy 
to the extent required by applicable Federal and State 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 fol-
lowing: 
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‘‘SEC. 2824. GENOMIC SEQUENCING, ANALYTICS, AND PUB-
LIC HEALTH SURVEILLANCE OF PATHOGENS 
PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) GENOMIC SEQUENCING, ANALYTICS, AND PUB-
LIC
HEALTH
SURVEILLANCE
OF
PATHOGENS
PRO-
GRAM.—The Secretary, acting through the Director of the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and in con-
sultation 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 sequencing of pathogens, including new and 
innovative approaches and technology for the detection, 
characterization, 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, including strat-
egies for environmental sampling, to inform 
surveillance activities and incorporate the use of 
such technologies, as appropriate, into related 
activities; 
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‘‘(2) providing technical assistance and guid-
ance to State, Tribal, local, and territorial public 
health departments to increase the capacity of such 
departments to perform genomic sequencing of 
pathogens, including recipients of funding under sec-
tion 2821; 
‘‘(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 Sec-
retary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Dis-
ease Control and Prevention, may award grants, contracts, 
or cooperative agreements to academic and other labora-
tories with expertise in genomic sequencing for public 
health purposes, including new and innovative approaches 
to, and related technology for, the detection, characteriza-
tion, and sequencing of pathogens. 
‘‘(c) CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE.— 
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‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting 
through the Director of the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, shall, as appropriate, award 
grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to pub-
lic health agencies or public health agency partner-
ships for the establishment or operation of centers of 
excellence to promote innovation in pathogen 
genomics and molecular epidemiology to improve the 
control of and response to pathogens that may cause 
a public health emergency. Such centers shall, as ap-
propriate— 
‘‘(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, 
infectious diseases through innovation in patho-
gen genomics and molecular epidemiology; 
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‘‘(E) develop and provide training mate-
rials for experts in the fields of genomics, 
microbiology, bioinformatics, epidemiology, and 
other fields, as appropriate; and 
‘‘(F) 
conduct 
workforce 
development 
through advanced training in academic labora-
tories. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS.—To be eligible for an 
award under paragraph (1), an entity shall submit 
to the Secretary an application containing such in-
formation as the Secretary may require, including a 
description of how the entity will partner, as applica-
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. 
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION.—For purposes of carrying out 
this section, there are authorized to be appropriated 
$175,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 
2027.’’. 
Æ 
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