I 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 7029 
To facilitate the re-opening of schools through study of children’s role in 
transmitting SARS–CoV–2, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 27, 2020 
Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio (for himself and Ms. FUDGE) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
A BILL 
To facilitate the re-opening of schools through study of chil-
dren’s role in transmitting SARS–CoV–2, 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 ‘‘Protect our Children 
from COVID–19 Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) School closures have substantial negative ef-
fects on children’s education, mental health, and so-
cial development. 
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perts from outside of the Department, as appro-
priate, shall complete a study on children’s role in 
transmitting SARS–CoV–2. 
(2) ISSUES TO BE STUDIED.—The study under 
paragraph (1) shall address— 
(A) the transmissibility of COVID–19 from 
child to child, child to adult, and adult to child; 
(B) the vulnerability of children, especially 
those with underlying health conditions, to se-
vere illness as such vulnerability relates to 
COVID–19; 
(C) the vulnerability of adults, especially 
those with underlying health conditions, who 
send their children back to school; and 
(D) the vulnerability of adults, especially 
those with underlying health conditions, who 
interact with children who may be asymp-
tomatic but infectious. 
(3) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out the 
study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— 
(A) take into consideration the best avail-
able science, including as provided by the Na-
tional Academy of Sciences; and 
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(B) ensure that such study includes con-
sideration of children who are members of ra-
cial or ethnic minority groups. 
(b) REPORTING.—Not later than August 1, 2020, 
and quarterly thereafter through the end of the emergency 
period, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Congress 
on children’s role in transmitting SARS–CoV–2. The first 
such report shall include the results of the study under 
subsection (a). 
(c) DISSEMINATION OF BEST PRACTICES.—Not later 
than August 1, 2020, and quarterly thereafter through the 
end of the emergency period, the Secretary shall dissemi-
nate to stakeholders best practices for protecting children 
and adults in educational settings. The first best practices 
disseminated pursuant to the preceding sentence shall in-
clude any best practices for protecting children and adults 
in educational settings identified through the study under 
subsection (a). 
(d) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘emer-
gency period’’ has the meaning given to such term in sec-
tion 1135(g)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1320b–5(g)(1)(B)). 
Æ 
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