3209 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
fications, including privacy standards, to improve the 
quality and completeness of data, including demo-
graphic data used for public health purposes. 
(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—To be eligible to re-
ceive an award under this subsection an entity 
shall— 
(A) be a health care provider, academic 
medical center, community-based organization, 
State, local governmental entity, Indian Tribe or 
Tribal organization (as such terms are defined 
in section 4 of the Indian Self Determination 
and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)), 
urban Indian organization (as defined in section 
4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act 
(25 U.S.C. 1603)), or other appropriate public 
or private nonprofit entity, or a consortia of any 
such entities; and 
(B) submit an application to the Secretary 
at such time, in such manner, and containing 
such information as the Secretary may require. 
(3) 
ACTIVITIES.—Entities 
receiving 
awards 
under this subsection shall use such award to develop 
and test best practices for training health care pro-
viders to use standards and implementation specifica-
tions that assist in the capture, access, exchange, and
3210 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
use of electronic health information, deidentified as 
applicable, such as demographic information, dis-
ability status, veteran status, and functional status. 
Such activities shall include, at a minimum— 
(A) improving, understanding, and using 
data standards and implementation specifica-
tions; 
(B) developing or identifying methods to 
improve communication with patients in a 
culturally- and linguistically-appropriate man-
ner, including to better capture information re-
lated to demographics of such individuals; 
(C) developing methods for accurately cat-
egorizing and recording patient responses using 
available data standards; 
(D) educating providers regarding the util-
ity of such information for public health pur-
poses and the importance of accurate collection 
and recording of such data; and 
(E) providing information regarding how 
data will be deidentified if used for such public 
health purposes, as applicable and appropriate. 
(4) REPORTING.— 
(A) REPORTING BY AWARD RECIPIENTS.— 
Each recipient of an award under this subsection
3211 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
shall submit to the Secretary a report on the re-
sults of best practices identified, developed, or 
disseminated through such award. 
(B) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 
1 year after the completion of the program under 
this subsection, the Secretary shall submit a re-
port to Congress on the success of best practices 
developed under such program, opportunities for 
further dissemination of such best practices, and 
recommendations for improving the capture, ac-
cess, exchange, and use of information to im-
prove public health and reduce health dispari-
ties. 
(5) NON-DUPLICATION OF EFFORTS.—The Sec-
retary shall ensure that the activities and programs 
carried out under this subsection are free of unneces-
sary duplication of effort. 
(f) RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion shall be construed to— 
(1) supplant, in whole or in part, State, local, 
or Tribal activities or responsibilities related to pub-
lic health surveillance, as applicable; 
(2) alter the authority of the Secretary with re-
spect to the types of data the Secretary may receive
3212 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
through systems supported or established in this sec-
tion or other laws; or 
(3) modify applicable Federal or State informa-
tion privacy or security law. 
SEC. 2214. EPIDEMIC FORECASTING AND OUTBREAK ANA-
LYTICS. 
Title XXVIII of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 300hh et seq.), as amended by section 2212, is fur-
ther amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 2825. EPIDEMIC FORECASTING AND OUTBREAK ANA-
LYTICS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through the 
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 
shall continue activities related to the development of infec-
tious disease outbreak analysis capabilities to enhance the 
prediction, modeling, and forecasting of potential public 
health emergencies and other infectious disease outbreaks, 
which may include activities to support preparedness for, 
and response to, such emergencies and outbreaks. In car-
rying out this subsection, the Secretary shall identify strate-
gies to include and leverage, as appropriate, the capabilities 
to public and private entities, which may include con-
ducting such activities through collaborative partnerships 
with public and private entities, including academic insti-
3213 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
tutions, and other Federal agencies, consistent with section 
319D, as applicable. 
‘‘(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out subsection 
(a), the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention, may consider public 
health data and, as appropriate, other data sources related 
to preparedness for, or response to, public health emer-
gencies and infectious disease outbreaks. 
‘‘(c) ANNUAL REPORTS.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this section, and annually there-
after for each of the subsequent 4 years, the Secretary shall 
prepare and submit a report, 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, regarding an update on progress on activities con-
ducted under this section to develop infectious disease out-
break analysis capabilities and any additional information 
relevant to such efforts.’’. 
SEC. 2215. PUBLIC HEALTH DATA TRANSPARENCY. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services shall issue a report assessing practices, objectives, 
and associated progress and challenges in achieving such 
objectives, of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention 
with respect to the collection and dissemination of public
3214 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
health data related to a public health emergency declared 
under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 247d) or a potential public health emergency. 
(b) PLAN.—Not later than 180 days following the 
issuance of the report pursuant to paragraph (1), the Direc-
tor of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 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 plan that shall 
include— 
(1) steps to improve the timely reporting and 
dissemination of deidentified public health data re-
lated to a public health emergency declared under sec-
tion 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
247d) or a potential public health emergency that is 
collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Pre-
vention, including any associated barriers; 
(2) recommendations to Congress regarding gaps 
in such practices and objectives described in sub-
section (a); and 
(3) considerations regarding the requirements 
and limitations of data use agreements for such pur-
poses, as applicable, and any efforts undertaken to 
address those requirements and limitations.
3215 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
SEC. 2216. GAO REPORT ON PUBLIC HEALTH PREPARED-
NESS, RESPONSE, AND RECOVERY DATA CA-
PABILITIES. 
(a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the United 
States (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Comptroller Gen-
eral’’) shall conduct a study on the efforts of the Department 
of Health and Human Services to ensure that public health 
preparedness, response, and recovery data capabilities re-
lated to pandemic and other biological threats are not un-
necessarily duplicative, overlapping, or fragmented. Such 
study shall include— 
(1) a comprehensive list of all public health pre-
paredness, response, and recovery data collection, such 
as incidence and prevalence of disease tracking, hos-
pitalizations, critical care capacity, and testing pro-
grams, at the Department of Health and Human 
Services, as identified by the department and its com-
ponent agencies; 
(2) an analysis of any duplication, overlap, or 
fragmentation of the programs identified in para-
graph (1); 
(3) identification of any efforts of the Depart-
ment of Health and Human Services to reduce unnec-
essary duplication and improve coordination, effi-
ciency, and effectiveness of such programs and any 
associated challenges;
3216 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
(4) any practices that threaten individual pri-
vacy and recommendations to improve the protection 
of individual, identifiable data; and 
(5) a description of the funding and other re-
sources dedicated to the operation of each such pro-
gram identified in paragraph (1). 
(b) REPORTING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Based on the study conducted 
under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall— 
(A) not later than 6 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, provide a briefing to the 
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on 
Energy and Commerce of the House of Rep-
resentatives; and 
(B) not later than 18 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, submit to the Com-
mittee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pen-
sions of the Senate and the Committee on En-
ergy and Commerce of the House of Representa-
tives a complete report on such study. 
(2) 
RECOMMENDATIONS.—The 
report 
under 
paragraph (1)(B) shall include recommendations, as 
appropriate, with respect to public health prepared-
3217 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
ness, response, and recovery data programs at the De-
partment of Health and Human Services, to— 
(A) streamline data collection and reduce 
fragmentation and address any associated chal-
lenges; 
(B) reduce duplication in such programs; 
and 
(C) improve information-sharing across 
programs. 
CHAPTER 3—REVITALIZING THE PUBLIC 
HEALTH WORKFORCE 
SEC. 2221. IMPROVING RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF 
THE 
FRONTLINE 
PUBLIC 
HEALTH 
WORK-
FORCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 776 of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295f–1) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘supply of’’ and inserting 
‘‘supply of, and encourage recruitment and re-
tention of,’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘Federal,’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by amending paragraph (1)(A) to read 
as follows:
3218 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(1)(A)(i) be accepted for enrollment, or be en-
rolled, as a student in an accredited institution of 
higher education or school of public health in the final 
semester (or equivalent) of a program leading to a 
certificate or degree, including a master’s or doctoral 
degree, in public health, epidemiology, laboratory 
sciences, data systems, data science, data analytics, 
informatics, statistics, or another subject matter re-
lated to public health; and 
‘‘(ii) be employed by, or have accepted employ-
ment with, a State, local, or Tribal public health 
agency, or a related training fellowship at such State, 
local, or Tribal public health agency, as recognized by 
the Secretary, to commence upon graduation; or’’; 
and 
(B) in paragraph (1)(B)— 
(i) in clause (i)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘accredited edu-
cational institution in a State or terri-
tory’’ and inserting ‘‘accredited insti-
tution of higher education or school of 
public health’’; and 
(II) by striking ‘‘a public health 
or health professions degree or certifi-
cate’’ and inserting ‘‘a certificate or
3219 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
degree, including a master’s or doctoral 
degree, in public health, epidemiology, 
laboratory sciences, data systems, data 
science, data analytics, informatics, 
statistics, or another subject matter re-
lated to public health’’; and 
(ii) in clause (ii)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘Federal,’’; and 
(II) by striking ‘‘fellowship,’’ and 
inserting ‘‘fellowship at such State, 
local, or Tribal public health agency,’’; 
(3) in subsection (c)(2)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘Federal,’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘equal to the greater of—’’ 
and all that follows through the end of subpara-
graph (B) and inserting ‘‘of at least 3 consecu-
tive years;’’; 
(4) in subsection (d)— 
(A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A loan repayment provided 
for an individual under a written contract under the 
Program shall consist of payment, in accordance with 
paragraph (2), for the individual toward the out-
standing principal and interest on education loans
3220 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
incurred by the individual in the pursuit of the rel-
evant degree or certificate described in subsection 
(b)(1) in accordance with the terms of the contract.’’; 
and 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘For each year’’ and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—For each year’’; 
(ii) by striking ‘‘$35,000’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘$50,000’’; 
(iii) by striking ‘‘$105,000’’ and in-
serting ‘‘$150,000’’; and 
(iv) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) 
CONSIDERATIONS.—The 
Secretary 
may take action in making awards under this 
section to ensure that— 
‘‘(i) an appropriate proportion of con-
tracts are awarded to individuals who are 
eligible to participate in the program pur-
suant to subsection (b)(1)(A); and 
‘‘(ii) contracts awarded under this sec-
tion are equitably distributed among— 
‘‘(I) the geographical regions of 
the United States;
3221 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(II) local, State, and Tribal pub-
lic health departments; and 
‘‘(III) such public health depart-
ments under subclause (II) serving 
rural and urban areas.’’; 
(5) in subsection (e), by striking ‘‘receiving a de-
gree or certificate from a health professions or other 
related school’’ and inserting ‘‘with a contract to serve 
under subsection (c)’’; 
(6) in subsection (f), by adding at the end the 
following: ‘‘In the event that a participant fails to ei-
ther begin or complete the obligated service require-
ment of the loan repayment contract under this sec-
tion, the Secretary may waive or suspend either the 
unfulfilled service or the assessed damages as provided 
for under section 338E(d), as appropriate.’’; 
(7) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection 
(i); 
(8) by inserting after subsection (f) the following: 
‘‘(g) ELIGIBLE LOANS.—The loans eligible for repay-
ment under this section are each of the following: 
‘‘(1) Any loan for education or training for em-
ployment by a health department. 
‘‘(2) Any loan under part E of title VIII (relat-
ing to nursing student loans).
3222 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(3) Any Federal Direct Stafford Loan, Federal 
Direct PLUS Loan, Federal Direct Unsubsidized 
Stafford Loan, or Federal Direct Consolidation Loan 
(as such terms are used in section 455 of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965). 
‘‘(4) Any Federal Perkins Loan under part E of 
title I of the Higher Education Act of 1965. 
‘‘(5) Any other Federal loan, as the Secretary de-
termines appropriate. 
‘‘(h) PILOT PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall, as ap-
propriate, establish a pilot program, to be known as 
the Bio-Preparedness Workforce Pilot Program, to 
provide for loan repayment for health professionals 
with expertise in infectious diseases and emergency 
preparedness and response activities to ensure an ade-
quate supply of such professionals. Such program 
shall be administered consistent with the requirements 
of this section, except that, to be eligible to participate 
in the pilot program, an individual shall— 
‘‘(A)(i) be accepted for enrollment, or be en-
rolled, as a student in an accredited institution 
of higher education in the final semester (or 
equivalent) of a program leading to a health pro-
3223 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
fessions degree or certificate program relevant to 
such program; or 
‘‘(ii) have graduated, during the preceding 
10-year period, from an accredited institution of 
higher education with a health professions degree 
or certificate program relevant to such program; 
and 
‘‘(B) be employed by, or have accepted em-
ployment with— 
‘‘(i) a Federal health care facility; 
‘‘(ii) a nonprofit health care facility 
that is located in a health professional 
shortage area (as defined in section 332), a 
frontier health professional shortage area 
(as defined in section 799B), or a medically 
underserved community (as defined in sec-
tion 799B); 
‘‘(iii) an entity receiving assistance 
under title XXVI for the provision of clin-
ical services; 
‘‘(iv) a health program, or a facility, 
operated by an Indian Tribe or Tribal or-
ganization (as those terms are defined in 
section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination 
and Education Assistance Act) or by an
3224 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
urban Indian organization (as defined in 
section 4 of the Indian Health Care Im-
provement Act); or 
‘‘(v) another relevant entity determined 
appropriate by the Secretary, as a health 
professional with expertise in infectious dis-
eases or emergency preparedness and re-
sponse. 
‘‘(2) NON-DUPLICATION OF EFFORT.—The Sec-
retary shall ensure that the pilot program established 
under paragraph (1) does not unnecessarily duplicate 
the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment 
Program, or any other loan repayment program oper-
ated by the Department of Health and Human Serv-
ices. 
‘‘(3) EVALUATION AND REPORT TO CONGRESS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 
evaluate the pilot program at the conclusion of 
the first cycle of recipients funded by the pilot 
program. 
‘‘(B) REPORT.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 
submit to the Committee on Health, Edu-
cation, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate 
and the Committee on Energy and Com-
3225 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
merce of the House of Representatives a re-
port on the evaluation under subparagraph 
(A). The report shall include, at a min-
imum, outcomes information from the pilot 
program, including any impact on recruit-
ment and retention of health professionals 
with expertise in infectious diseases and 
emergency preparedness and response ac-
tivities. 
‘‘(ii) RECOMMENDATION.—The report 
under this subparagraph shall include a 
recommendation by the Secretary as to 
whether the pilot program under this sub-
section should be extended.’’; 
(9) in subsection (i), as so redesignated, by strik-
ing ‘‘$195,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, and such 
sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 
2011 through 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘$100,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2023 through 2025’’; and 
(10) by striking ‘‘tribal’’ each place such term 
appears and inserting ‘‘Tribal’’. 
(b) GAO STUDY ON PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE.— 
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall—
3226 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
(1) conduct an evaluation of what is known 
about the public health workforce in the United 
States, which shall address— 
(A) existing gaps in the Federal, State, 
local, Tribal, and territorial public health work-
force, including positions that may be required 
to prepare for, and respond to, a public health 
emergency such as COVID–19; 
(B) challenges associated with the hiring, 
recruitment, and retention of the Federal, State, 
local, Tribal, and territorial public health work-
force; and 
(C) Federal efforts to improve hiring, re-
cruitment, and retention of the public health 
workforce; and 
(2) 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 such review. 
SEC. 2222. AWARDS TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY HEALTH 
WORKERS AND COMMUNITY HEALTH. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 399V of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g–11) is amended—
3227 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
(1) by amending the section heading to read as 
follows: ‘‘AWARDS
TO
SUPPORT
COMMUNITY 
HEALTH WORKERS AND COMMUNITY HEALTH’’; 
(2) by amending subsection (a) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall award grants, 
contracts, or cooperative agreements to eligible entities to 
promote positive health behaviors and outcomes for popu-
lations in medically underserved communities by leveraging 
community health workers, including by addressing ongo-
ing and longer-term community health needs, and by build-
ing the capacity of the community health worker workforce. 
Such grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements shall be 
awarded in alignment and coordination with existing fund-
ing arrangements supporting community health workers.’’; 
(3) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘Grants awarded’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Subject to any requirements for 
the scope of licensure, registration, or cer-
tification of a community health worker 
under applicable State law, grants, con-
tracts, and cooperative agreements award-
ed’’; and
3228 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
(ii) by striking ‘‘support community 
health workers’’; 
(B) 
by 
redesignating 
paragraphs 
(3) 
through (5) as paragraphs (4) through (6), re-
spectively; 
(C) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) recruit, hire, train, and retain community 
health workers that reflect the needs of the commu-
nity; 
‘‘(2) support community health workers in pro-
viding education and outreach, in a community set-
ting, regarding— 
‘‘(A) health conditions prevalent in— 
‘‘(i) medically underserved commu-
nities (as defined in section 799B), particu-
larly racial and ethnic minority popu-
lations; and 
‘‘(ii) other such at-risk populations or 
geographic areas that may require addi-
tional support during public health emer-
gencies, which may include counties identi-
fied by the Secretary using applicable meas-
ures developed by the Centers for Disease
3229 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
Control and Prevention or other Federal 
agencies; and 
‘‘(B) addressing health disparities, includ-
ing by— 
‘‘(i) promoting awareness of services 
and resources to increase access to health 
care, mental health and substance use dis-
order services, child services, technology, 
housing services, educational services, nutri-
tion services, employment services, and 
other services; and 
‘‘(ii) assisting in conducting indi-
vidual and community needs assessments; 
‘‘(3) educate community members, including re-
garding effective strategies to promote healthy behav-
iors;’’; 
(D) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated, by 
striking ‘‘to educate’’ and inserting ‘‘educate’’; 
(E) in paragraph (5), as so redesignated— 
(i) by striking ‘‘to identify’’ and in-
serting ‘‘identify’’; 
(ii) by striking ‘‘healthcare agencies’’ 
and inserting ‘‘health care agencies’’; and 
(iii) by striking ‘‘healthcare services 
and to eliminate duplicative care; or’’ and
3230 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
inserting ‘‘health care services and to 
streamline care, including serving as a liai-
son between communities and health care 
agencies; and’’; and 
(F) in paragraph (6), as so redesignated— 
(i) by striking ‘‘to educate, guide, and 
provide’’ and inserting ‘‘support community 
health workers in educating, guiding, or 
providing’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘maternal health and 
prenatal care’’ and inserting ‘‘chronic dis-
eases, 
maternal 
health, 
prenatal, 
and 
postpartum care in order to improve mater-
nal and infant health outcomes’’; 
(4) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘Each eligible 
entity’’ and all that follows through ‘‘accompanied 
by’’ and inserting ‘‘To be eligible to receive an award 
under subsection (a), an entity shall prepare and sub-
mit to the Secretary an application at such time, in 
such manner, and containing’’; 
(5) in subsection (d)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘awarding grants’’ and inserting 
‘‘making awards’’;
3231 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
(B) by amending paragraph (1) to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(1) propose to serve— 
‘‘(A) areas with populations that have a 
high rate of chronic disease, infant mortality, or 
maternal morbidity and mortality; 
‘‘(B) low-income populations, including 
medically underserved populations (as defined in 
section 330(b)(3)); 
‘‘(C) populations residing in health profes-
sional shortage areas (as defined in section 
332(a)); 
‘‘(D) populations residing in maternity 
care health professional target areas identified 
under section 332(k); or 
‘‘(E) rural or traditionally underserved 
populations, including racial and ethnic minor-
ity populations or low-income populations;’’; 
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘; and’’ 
and inserting ‘‘, including rural populations and 
racial and ethnic minority populations;’’; 
(D) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘with 
community health workers.’’ and inserting ‘‘and 
established relationships with community health
3232 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
workers in the communities expected to be served 
by the program;’’ and 
(E) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) develop a plan for providing services to the 
extent practicable, in the language and cultural con-
text most appropriate to individuals expected to be 
served by the program; and 
‘‘(5) propose to use evidence-informed or evi-
dence-based practices, as applicable and appro-
priate.’’; 
(6) in subsection (e)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘community health worker 
programs’’ and inserting ‘‘eligible entities’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘and one-stop delivery sys-
tems under section 121(e)’’ and inserting ‘‘, 
health professions schools, minority-serving insti-
tutions (defined, for purposes of this subsection, 
as institutions 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), area health education centers under 
section 751 of this Act, and one-stop delivery sys-
tems under section 121’’; 
(7) by striking subsections (f), (g), (h), (i), and 
(j) and inserting the following:
3233 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(f) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary may 
provide to eligible entities that receive awards under sub-
section (a) technical assistance with respect to planning, 
development, and operation of community health worker 
programs authorized or supported under this section. 
‘‘(g) DISSEMINATION OF BEST PRACTICES.—Not later 
than 4 years after the date of enactment of the PREVENT 
Pandemics Act, the Secretary shall, based on activities car-
ried out under this section and in consultation with rel-
evant stakeholders, identify and disseminate evidence-based 
or evidence-informed practices regarding recruitment and 
retention of community health workers and paraprofes-
sionals to address ongoing public health and community 
health needs, and to prepare for, and respond to, future 
public health emergencies. 
‘‘(h) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 4 years 
after the date of enactment of the PREVENT Pandemics 
Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Committee on Ap-
propriations of the Senate and the Committee on Energy 
and Commerce and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
House of Representatives a report concerning the effective-
ness of the program under this section in addressing ongo-
ing public health and community health needs. Such report 
shall include recommendations regarding any improve-
3234 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
ments to such program, including recommendations for how 
to improve recruitment, training, and retention of the com-
munity health workforce. 
‘‘(i) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—For pur-
poses of carrying out this section, there are authorized to 
be appropriated $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 
through 2027.’’; 
(8) by redesignating subsection (k) as subsection 
(j); and 
(9) in subsection (j), as so redesignated— 
(A) by striking paragraphs (1), (2), and 
(4); 
(B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as 
paragraph (1); 
(C) in paragraph (1), as so redesignated— 
(i) by striking ‘‘entity (including a 
State or public subdivision of a State’’ and 
inserting ‘‘entity, including a State or po-
litical subdivision of a State, an Indian 
Tribe or Tribal organization, an urban In-
dian organization, a community-based or-
ganization’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘as defined in section 
1861(aa) of the Social Security Act))’’ and 
inserting 
‘‘(as 
defined 
in 
section
3235 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
1861(aa)(4) of the Social Security Act)’’; 
and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) INDIAN TRIBE; TRIBAL ORGANIZATION.—The 
terms ‘Indian Tribe’ and ‘Tribal organization’ have 
the meanings given the terms ‘Indian tribe’ and ‘trib-
al organization’, respectively, in section 4 of the In-
dian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act. 
‘‘(3) URBAN INDIAN ORGANIZATION.—The term 
‘urban Indian organization’ has the meaning given 
such term in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Im-
provement Act.’’. 
(b) GAO STUDY AND REPORT.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of submission of the report under subsection 
(h) of section 399V of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 280g–11), as amended by subsection (a), the Comp-
troller General of the United States shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the 
Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 
House of Representatives a report on the program author-
ized under such section 399V, including a review of the ef-
forts of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to co-
ordinate such program with applicable programs of the 
Health Resources and Services Administration to ensure
3236 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
there is no unnecessary duplication of efforts among such 
programs, and identification of any areas of duplication. 
SEC. 2223. IMPROVING PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY RE-
SPONSE CAPACITY. 
(a) CERTAIN APPOINTMENTS
TO SUPPORT PUBLIC 
HEALTH EMERGENCY RESPONSES.—Section 319 of the 
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d) is amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(g) CERTAIN APPOINTMENTS TO SUPPORT PUBLIC 
HEALTH EMERGENCY RESPONSES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In order to support the ini-
tial response to a public health emergency declared by 
the Secretary under this section, the Secretary may, 
subject to paragraph (2) and without regard to sec-
tions 3309 through 3318 of title 5, United States 
Code, appoint individuals directly to positions in the 
Department of Health and Human Services for which 
the Secretary has provided public notice in order to— 
‘‘(A) address a critical hiring need directly 
related to responding to a public health emer-
gency declared by the Secretary under this sec-
tion; or 
‘‘(B) address a severe shortage of candidates 
that impacts the operational capacity of the De-
partment of Health and Human Services to re-
3237 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
spond in the event of a public health emergency 
declared by the Secretary under this section. 
‘‘(2) NUMBER OF APPOINTMENTS.—Each fiscal 
year in which the Secretary makes a determination of 
a public health emergency under subsection (a) (not 
including a renewal), the Secretary may directly ap-
point not more than— 
‘‘(A) 400 individuals under paragraph 
(1)(A); and 
‘‘(B) 100 individuals under paragraph 
(1)(B). 
‘‘(3) COMPENSATION.—The annual rate of basic 
pay of an individual appointed under this subsection 
shall be determined in accordance with chapter 51 
and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United 
States Code. 
‘‘(4) REPORTING.—The Secretary shall establish 
and maintain records regarding the use of the author-
ity under this subsection, including— 
‘‘(A) the number of positions filled through 
such authority; 
‘‘(B) the types of appointments of such posi-
tions; 
‘‘(C) the titles, occupational series, and 
grades of such positions;
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(D) the number of positions publicly no-
ticed to be filled under such authority; 
‘‘(E) the number of qualified applicants 
who apply for such positions; 
‘‘(F) the qualification criteria for such posi-
tions; and 
‘‘(G) the demographic information of indi-
viduals appointed to such positions. 
‘‘(5) NOTIFICATION TO CONGRESS.—In the event 
the Secretary, within a single fiscal year, directly ap-
points more than 50 percent of the individuals allow-
able under either subparagraph (A) or (B) of para-
graph (2), the Secretary shall, not later than 15 days 
after the date of such action, notify the Committee on 
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate 
and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 
House of Representatives. Such notification shall, in 
a manner that protects personal privacy, to the extent 
required by applicable Federal and State privacy 
law, at a minimum, include— 
‘‘(A) information on each such appointment 
within such fiscal year; 
‘‘(B) a description of how each such posi-
tion relates to the requirements of subparagraph 
(A) or (B) of paragraph (1); and
3239 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(C) the additional number of personnel, if 
any, the Secretary anticipates to be necessary to 
adequately support a response to a public health 
emergency declared under this section using the 
authorities described in paragraph (1) within 
such fiscal year. 
‘‘(6) REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 
September 30, 2023, and annually thereafter for each 
fiscal year in which the authority under this sub-
section is used, the Secretary shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of 
the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Com-
merce of the House of Representatives a report de-
scribing the total number of appointments filled 
under this subsection within the fiscal year and a de-
scription of how the positions relate to the require-
ments of subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1). 
‘‘(7) SUNSET.—The authority under this sub-
section shall expire on September 30, 2028.’’. 
(b) GAO REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
issuance of the initial report under subsection (g)(6) of sec-
tion 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d), 
as added by subsection (a), and again 180 days after the 
date on which the authority provided under section 319(g) 
of such Act expires pursuant to paragraph (7) of such sec-
3240 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
tion, the Comptroller General of the United States shall sub-
mit 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 on the 
use of the authority provided under such section. Such re-
port shall, in a manner that protects personal privacy, at 
a minimum, include information on— 
(1) the number of positions publicly noticed and 
filled under the authority of each of subparagraphs 
(A) and (B) of such section 319(g)(1); 
(2) the occupational series, grades, and types of 
appointments of such positions; 
(3) how such positions related to addressing a 
need or shortage described in subparagraph (A) or 
(B) of such section; 
(4) how the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services made appointment decisions under each of 
subparagraphs (A) and (B) of such section; 
(5) sources used to identify candidates for filling 
such positions; 
(6) the number of individuals appointed under 
each such subparagraph; 
(7) aggregated demographic information related 
to individuals appointed under each such subpara-
graph; and
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
(8) any challenges, limitations, or gaps related to 
the use of the authority under each such subpara-
graph and any related recommendations to address 
such challenges, limitations, or gaps. 
SEC. 2224. INCREASING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES 
FOR ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS. 
Section 755(b) of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 294e(b)) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(4) Increasing educational opportunities in 
physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory 
therapy, audiology, and speech-language pathology 
professions, which may include offering scholarships 
or stipends and carrying out other activities to im-
prove retention, for individuals from disadvantaged 
backgrounds or individuals who are underrepresented 
in such professions.’’. 
SEC. 2225. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE CORPS ANNUAL AND 
SICK LEAVE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 219 of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 210–1) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘Reserve Corps’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘Ready Reserve Corps’’; and
3242 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
(B) by striking ‘‘: Provided, That such regu-
lations shall not authorize annual leave to be ac-
cumulated in excess of sixty days’’; 
(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(b) The regulations described in subsection (a) may 
authorize accumulated annual leave of not more than 120 
days for any commissioned officer of the Regular Corps or 
officer of the Ready Reserve Corps on active duty.’’; and 
(3) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection 
(c). 
(b) APPLICATION.—The amendments made by sub-
section (a) shall apply with respect to accumulated annual 
leave (as defined in section 219 of the Public Health Service 
Act (42 U.S.C. 210–1)) that a commissioned officer of the 
Regular Corps or officer of the Ready Reserve Corps on ac-
tive duty would, but for the regulations described in such 
section, lose at the end of fiscal year 2022 or a subsequent 
fiscal year.
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
SEC. 2226. LEADERSHIP EXCHANGE PILOT FOR PUBLIC 
HEALTH AND MEDICAL PREPAREDNESS AND 
RESPONSE POSITIONS AT THE DEPARTMENT 
OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. 
Title XXVIII of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 300hh et seq.), as amended by section 2214, is fur-
ther amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 2826. LEADERSHIP EXCHANGE PILOT FOR PUBLIC 
HEALTH AND MEDICAL PREPAREDNESS AND 
RESPONSE POSITIONS AT THE DEPARTMENT 
OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may, not later than 
1 year after the date of enactment of the PREVENT 
Pandemics Act, establish a voluntary program to provide 
additional training to individuals in eligible positions, as 
described in subsection (c), to support the continuous profes-
sional development of such individuals. 
‘‘(b) CRITERIA.— 
‘‘(1) DURATION.—The program under subsection 
(a) shall provide for fellowships, details, or other rel-
evant placements with Federal agencies or depart-
ments, or State or local health departments, pursuant 
to the guidance issued under paragraph (2), for a 
maximum period of 2 years. 
‘‘(2) GUIDANCE.—The Secretary shall issue guid-
ance establishing criteria for identifying placements
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
that demonstrate ongoing sufficient mastery of knowl-
edge, skills, and abilities to satisfy the field experience 
criteria under the program established under sub-
section (a), including assignments and experiences 
that develop public health and medical preparedness 
and response expertise. 
‘‘(c) ELIGIBLE POSITION.—For purposes of subsection 
(a), the term ‘eligible position’ means any position at the 
Department of Health and Human Services at or above 
grade GS–13 of the General Schedule, or the equivalent, for 
which not less than 50 percent of the time of such position 
is spent on activities related to public health preparedness 
or response. 
‘‘(d) PILOT PERIOD AND FINAL REPORT.—The pilot 
program authorized under this section shall not exceed 5 
years. Not later than 90 days after the end of the program, 
the Secretary shall issue 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 that includes— 
‘‘(1) the number of individuals who participated 
in such pilot, as applicable; 
‘‘(2) a description of the professional growth ex-
perience in which individuals participated; and
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(3) an assessment of the outcomes of such pro-
gram, including a recommendation on whether such 
program should be continued.’’. 
SEC. 2227. CONTINUING EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT FOR 
HEALTH PROFESSIONALS SERVING IN RURAL 
AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. 
Section 752 of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 294b) is amended— 
(1) in the section heading, by inserting ‘‘RURAL 
AND’’ after ‘‘SERVING IN’’; 
(2) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘shall make grants to, and 
enter into contracts with, eligible entities’’ and 
inserting ‘‘, as appropriate, shall make grants to, 
and enter into contracts with, eligible entities to 
support access to accredited continuing medical 
education for primary care physicians and 
health care providers at community health cen-
ters or rural health clinics to improve and in-
crease access to care for patients in rural and 
medically underserved areas. Such grants or con-
tracts may be used’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘faculty members’’ and in-
serting ‘‘health care providers’’; and
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
(C) by inserting ‘‘increase primary care 
physician and health care provider knowledge,’’ 
after ‘‘practice environment,’’; 
(3) in subsection (b), by inserting ‘‘, such as a 
community health center or rural health clinic’’ before 
the period; 
(4) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘by require.’’ 
and inserting the following: ‘‘may require, includ-
ing— 
‘‘(1) a description of how participation in ac-
tivities funded under this section will help improve 
access to, and quality of, health care services and 
training needs of primary care physicians and health 
care providers; and 
‘‘(2) a plan for providing peer-to-peer training, 
as appropriate.’’; 
(5) by amending subsection (d) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(d) USE OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—An eligible entity shall use 
amounts awarded under a grant or contract under 
this section to provide innovative supportive activities 
to enhance education for primary care physicians 
and health care providers described in subsection (a) 
through distance learning, continuing educational ac-
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
tivities, collaborative conferences, and electronic and 
telelearning activities, with priority for primary care 
providers who are seeking additional education in 
specialty fields such as infectious disease, endocri-
nology, pediatrics, mental health and substance use 
disorders, pain management, geriatrics, and other 
areas, as appropriate, in order to— 
‘‘(A) improve retention of primary care 
physicians and health care providers and in-
crease access to specialty health care services for 
patients; and 
‘‘(B) support access to the integration of 
specialty care through existing service delivery 
locations and care across settings. 
‘‘(2) 
CLARIFICATION.—Entities 
may 
use 
amounts awarded under a grant or contract under 
this section for continuing educational activities that 
include a clinical training component, including in- 
person patient care, in the respective community 
health center or rural health clinic, with the primary 
care physician or health care provider at such site 
and the clinical specialist from whom such additional 
training is being provided.’’; 
(6) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection 
(g);
3248 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
(7) by inserting after subsection (d) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(e) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—An entity that re-
vives a grant or contract under this section shall use not 
more than 5 percent of the amounts received under the 
grant or contract under this section for administrative ex-
penses. 
‘‘(f) NON-DUPLICATION OF EFFORT.—The Secretary 
shall ensure that activities under this section do not unnec-
essarily duplicate efforts of other programs overseen by the 
Health Resources and Services Administration, including 
activities described in section 330N.’’; and 
(8) in subsection (g), as so redesignated, by strik-
ing ‘‘the fiscal years 2010 through 2014, and such 
sums as may be necessary for each subsequent fiscal 
year’’ and inserting ‘‘fiscal years 2023 through 2025’’. 
CHAPTER 4—ENHANCING PUBLIC HEALTH 
PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE 
SEC. 2231. CENTERS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS 
AND RESPONSE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 319F of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d–6) is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the 
following:
3249 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(d) CENTERS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS 
AND RESPONSE.— 
‘‘(1) 
IN
GENERAL.—The 
Secretary, 
acting 
through the Director of the Centers for Disease Con-
trol and Prevention, may award grants, contracts, or 
cooperative agreements to institutions of higher edu-
cation, including accredited schools of public health, 
or other nonprofit private entities to establish or 
maintain a network of Centers for Public Health Pre-
paredness and Response (referred to in this subsection 
as ‘Centers’). 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to receive an 
award under this subsection, 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— 
‘‘(A) coordinate relevant activities with ap-
plicable State, local, and Tribal health depart-
ments and officials, health care facilities, and 
health care coalitions to improve public health 
preparedness and response, as informed by the 
public health preparedness and response needs of 
the community, or communities, involved; 
‘‘(B) prioritize efforts to implement evi-
dence-informed or evidence-based practices to im-
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
prove public health preparedness and response, 
including by helping to reduce the transmission 
of emerging infectious diseases; and 
‘‘(C) use funds awarded under this sub-
section, including by carrying out any activities 
described in paragraph (3). 
‘‘(3) USE OF FUNDS.—The Centers established or 
maintained under this subsection shall use funds 
awarded under this subsection to carry out activities 
to advance public health preparedness and response 
capabilities, which may include— 
‘‘(A) identifying, translating, and dissemi-
nating promising research findings or strategies 
into evidence-informed or evidence-based prac-
tices to inform preparedness for, and responses 
to, chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear 
threats, including emerging infectious diseases, 
and other public health emergencies, which may 
include conducting research related to public 
health preparedness and response systems; 
‘‘(B) improving awareness of such evidence- 
informed or evidence-based practices and other 
relevant scientific or public health information 
among health care professionals, public health 
professionals, other stakeholders, and the public,
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
including through the development, evaluation, 
and dissemination of trainings and training 
materials, consistent with section 2802(b)(2), as 
applicable and appropriate, and with consider-
ation given to existing training materials, to 
support preparedness for, and responses to, such 
threats; 
‘‘(C) utilizing and expanding relevant tech-
nological and analytical capabilities to inform 
public health and medical preparedness and re-
sponse efforts; 
‘‘(D) 
expanding 
activities, 
including 
through public-private partnerships, related to 
public health preparedness and response, includ-
ing participation in drills and exercises and 
training public health experts, as appropriate; 
and 
‘‘(E) providing technical assistance and ex-
pertise that relies on evidence-based practices, as 
applicable, related to responses to public health 
emergencies, as appropriate, to State, local, and 
Tribal health departments and other entities 
pursuant to paragraph (2)(A). 
‘‘(4) DISTRIBUTION OF AWARDS.—In awarding 
grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
this subsection, the Secretary shall support not fewer 
than 10 Centers, subject to the availability of appro-
priations, and ensure that such awards are equitably 
distributed among the geographical regions of the 
United States.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (f)(1)(C), by striking ‘‘, of 
which $5,000,000 shall be used to carry out para-
graphs (3) through (5) of such subsection’’. 
(b) REPEAL.—Section 319G of the Public Health Serv-
ice Act (42 U.S.C. 247d–7) is repealed. 
SEC. 2232. VACCINE DISTRIBUTION PLANS. 
Section 319A of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 247d–1) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘, or other federally pur-
chased vaccine to address another pandemic’’ be-
fore the period at the end of the first sentence; 
and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘or other pandemic’’ before 
the period at the end of the second sentence; and 
(2) in subsection (d), by inserting ‘‘or other 
pandemics’’ after ‘‘influenza pandemics’’.
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
SEC. 2233. COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION REGARD-
ING BLOOD SUPPLY. 
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, or the 
Secretary’s designee, shall— 
(1) ensure coordination and collaboration be-
tween relevant Federal departments and agencies re-
lated to the safety and availability of the blood sup-
ply, including— 
(A) the Department of Health and Human 
Services, including the Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Health, the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Ad-
ministration, the Office of the Assistant Sec-
retary for Preparedness and Response, the Na-
tional Institutes of Health, the Centers for Medi-
care & Medicaid Services, and the Health Re-
sources and Services Administration; 
(B) the Department of Defense; and 
(C) the Department of Veterans Affairs; and 
(2) consult and communicate with private stake-
holders, including blood collection establishments, 
health care providers, accreditation organizations, re-
searchers, and patients, regarding issues related to the 
safety and availability of the blood supply.
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
SEC. 2234. SUPPORTING LABORATORY CAPACITY AND 
INTERNATIONAL 
COLLABORATION 
TO 
AD-
DRESS ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE. 
Section 319E of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 247d–5) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (k), (l), and (m) 
as subsections (m), (n), and (o), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (j), the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(k) NETWORK OF ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE REGIONAL 
LABORATORIES.— 
‘‘(1) 
IN
GENERAL.—The 
Secretary, 
acting 
through the Director of the Centers for Disease Con-
trol and Prevention, shall, as appropriate, maintain 
a network of antibiotic resistance laboratory sites to 
ensure the maintenance of appropriate capabilities, 
within existing laboratory capacity maintained or 
supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Pre-
vention, to— 
‘‘(A) identify and monitor the emergence 
and changes in the patterns of antimicrobial-re-
sistant pathogens; 
‘‘(B) detect, identify, confirm, and isolate 
such resistant pathogens, including, as appro-
priate, performing such activities upon the re-
quest of another laboratory and providing re-
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
lated technical assistance, and, as applicable, 
support efforts to respond to local or regional 
outbreaks of such resistant pathogens; and 
‘‘(C) perform activities to support the diag-
nosis of such resistant pathogens and determine 
the susceptibility of relevant pathogen samples to 
applicable treatments. 
‘‘(2) GEOGRAPHIC
DISTRIBUTION.—The Sec-
retary shall ensure that such capacity and capabili-
ties are appropriately distributed among the geo-
graphical regions of the United States. 
‘‘(3) PARTNERSHIPS
AND
NONDUPLICATION
OF 
CURRENT DOMESTIC CAPACITY.—Activities supported 
under this subsection may be based in an academic 
center, a State health department, or other facility 
operated by a public or private entity that carries out 
relevant laboratory or public health surveillance ac-
tivities. 
‘‘(l) INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in coordina-
tion with heads of other relevant Federal departments 
and agencies, shall support activities related to ad-
dressing antimicrobial resistance internationally, in-
cluding by—
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(A) supporting basic, translational, epide-
miological, and clinical research related to anti-
microbial-resistant pathogens, including such 
pathogens that have not yet been detected in the 
United States, and improving related public 
health surveillance systems, and laboratory and 
other response capacity; and 
‘‘(B) providing technical assistance related 
to antimicrobial resistant infection and control 
activities. 
‘‘(2) AWARDS.—In carrying out paragraph (1), 
the Secretary may award grants, contracts, or cooper-
ative agreements to public and private entities, in-
cluding nongovernmental organizations, with applica-
ble expertise, for purposes of supporting new and in-
novative approaches to the prevention, detection, and 
mitigation of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens.’’. 
SEC. 2235. ONE HEALTH FRAMEWORK. 
(a) ONE HEALTH FRAMEWORK.—The Secretary of 
Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as 
the ‘‘Secretary’’), acting through the Director of the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention, shall develop, or update 
as appropriate, in coordination with other Federal depart-
ments and agencies, as appropriate, a One Health frame-
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
work to address zoonotic diseases and advance public health 
preparedness. 
(b) ONE HEALTH COORDINATION.—The Secretary, 
acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Con-
trol and Prevention, shall coordinate with the Secretary of 
Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to develop a 
One Health coordination mechanism at the Federal level 
to strengthen One Health collaboration related to preven-
tion, detection, control, and response for zoonotic diseases 
and related One Health work across the Federal Govern-
ment. 
(c) REPORTING.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, 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 providing an up-
date on the activities under subsections (a) and (b). 
SEC. 
2236. 
SUPPORTING 
CHILDREN 
DURING 
PUBLIC 
HEALTH EMERGENCIES. 
Section 2811A of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 300hh–10b) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘and behavioral’’ and 
inserting ‘‘, behavioral, developmental’’; and
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
(ii) by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting 
a semicolon; 
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) provide advice and consultation with re-
spect to continuity of care and education for all chil-
dren and supporting parents and caregivers during 
all-hazards emergencies.’’; 
(2) in subsection (d)(2)— 
(A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘care; 
and’’ and inserting ‘‘care;’’; 
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as 
subparagraph (E); 
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the 
following: 
‘‘(D) at least 4 non-Federal members rep-
resenting child care settings, State or local edu-
cational agencies, individuals with expertise in 
children with disabilities, and parents; and’’; 
and 
(D) in subparagraph (E), as so redesig-
nated— 
(i) by striking clause (ii); and
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
(ii) by redesignating clauses (iii) and 
(iv) as clauses (ii) and (iii), respectively. 
Subtitle C—Accelerating Research 
and Countermeasure Discovery 
CHAPTER 1—FOSTERING RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVING CO-
ORDINATION 
SEC. 2301. RESEARCH CENTERS FOR PATHOGENS OF PAN-
DEMIC CONCERN. 
Subpart 6 of part C of title IV of the Public Health 
Service Act is amended by inserting after section 447C (42 
U.S.C. 285f–4) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 447D. RESEARCH CENTERS FOR PATHOGENS OF PAN-
DEMIC CONCERN. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the Institute, in 
collaboration, as appropriate, with the directors of applica-
ble institutes, centers, and divisions of the National Insti-
tutes of Health, the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness 
and Response, and the Director of the Biomedical Advanced 
Research and Development Authority, shall establish or con-
tinue a multidisciplinary research program to advance the 
discovery and preclinical development of medical products 
for priority virus families and other viral pathogens with 
a significant potential to cause a pandemic, through sup-
port for research centers.
3260 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(b) USES OF FUNDS.—The Director of the Institute 
shall award funding through grants, contracts, or coopera-
tive agreements to public or private entities to provide sup-
port for research centers described in subsection (a) for the 
purpose of— 
‘‘(1) conducting basic research through pre-
clinical development of new medical products or tech-
nologies, including platform technologies, to address 
pathogens of pandemic concern; 
‘‘(2) identifying potential targets for therapeutic 
candidates, including antivirals, to treat such patho-
gens; 
‘‘(3) identifying existing medical products with 
the potential to address such pathogens, including 
candidates that could be used in outpatient settings; 
and 
‘‘(4) carrying out or supporting other research 
related to medical products to address such pathogens, 
as determined appropriate by the Director. 
‘‘(c) COORDINATION.—The Director of the Institute 
shall, as appropriate, provide for the coordination of activi-
ties among the centers described in subsection (a), including 
through—
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(1) facilitating the exchange of information and 
regular communication among the centers, as appro-
priate; and 
‘‘(2) requiring the periodic preparation and sub-
mission to the Director of reports on the activities of 
each center. 
‘‘(d) PRIORITY.—In awarding funding through grants, 
contracts, or cooperative agreements under subsection (a), 
the Director of the Institute shall, as appropriate, give pri-
ority to applicants with existing frameworks and partner-
ships, as applicable, to support the advancement of such 
research. 
‘‘(e) COLLABORATION.—The Director of the Institute 
shall— 
‘‘(1) collaborate with the heads of other appro-
priate Federal departments, agencies, and offices with 
respect to the identification of additional priority 
virus families and other viral pathogens with a sig-
nificant potential to cause a pandemic; and 
‘‘(2) collaborate with the Director of the Bio-
medical Advanced Research and Development Author-
ity with respect to the research conducted by centers 
described in subsection (a), including, as appropriate, 
providing any updates on the research advancements 
made by such centers, identifying any advanced re-
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
search and development needs for such counter-
measures, consistent with section 319L(a)(6), and 
taking into consideration existing manufacturing ca-
pacity and future capacity needs for such medical 
products or technologies, including platform tech-
nologies, supported by the centers described in sub-
section (a). 
‘‘(f) SUPPLEMENT, NOT SUPPLANT.—Any support re-
ceived by a center described in subsection (a) under this 
section shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, other 
public or private support for activities authorized to be sup-
ported.’’. 
SEC. 2302. IMPROVING MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURE RE-
SEARCH COORDINATION. 
Section 402(b) in the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 282(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (24), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(2) in paragraph (25), by striking the period 
and inserting a semicolon; and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (25) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(26) shall consult with the Assistant Secretary 
for Preparedness and Response, the Director of the 
Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Au-
3263 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
thority, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention, and the heads of other Federal agen-
cies and offices, as appropriate, regarding research 
needs to advance medical countermeasures to diag-
nose, mitigate, prevent, or treat harm from any bio-
logical agent or toxin, including emerging infectious 
diseases, chemical, radiological, or nuclear agent that 
may cause a public health emergency or other re-
search needs related to emerging public health 
threats;’’. 
SEC. 2303. ACCESSING SPECIMEN SAMPLES AND DIAG-
NOSTIC TESTS. 
(a) IMPROVING RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT
OF 
MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES FOR NOVEL PATHOGENS.— 
(1) SAMPLE
ACCESS.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Health and Human Services (referred to in this 
subsection as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall make publicly 
available policies and procedures related to public 
and private entities accessing specimens of, or speci-
mens containing, pathogens or suitable surrogates for, 
or alternatives to, such pathogens as the Secretary de-
termines appropriate to support public health pre-
paredness and response activities or biomedical re-
search for purposes of the development and validation,
3264 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
as applicable, of medical products to address emerg-
ing infectious diseases and for use to otherwise re-
spond to emerging infectious diseases. Such policies 
and procedures shall take into account, as appro-
priate, any applicable existing Federal resources. 
(2) GUIDANCE.—The Secretary shall issue guid-
ance regarding the procedures for carrying out para-
graph (1), including— 
(A) the method for requesting such samples; 
(B) considerations for sample availability 
and use of suitable surrogates or alternatives to 
such pathogens, as appropriate, including appli-
cable safeguard and security measures; and 
(C) information required to be provided in 
order to receive such samples or suitable surro-
gates or alternatives. 
(b) EARLIER DEVELOPMENT OF DIAGNOSTIC TESTS.— 
Title III of the Public Health Service Act is amended by 
inserting after section 319A (42 U.S.C. 247d–1) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘SEC. 
319B. 
EARLIER 
DEVELOPMENT 
OF 
DIAGNOSTIC 
TESTS. 
‘‘The Secretary may contract with public and private 
entities, as appropriate, to increase capacity in the rapid 
development, validation, manufacture, and dissemination
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
of diagnostic tests, as appropriate, to State, local, and Trib-
al health departments and other appropriate entities for 
immediate public health response activities to address an 
emerging infectious disease with respect to which a public 
health emergency is declared under section 319, or that has 
significant potential to cause such a public health emer-
gency.’’. 
SEC. 2304. NATIONAL ACADEMIES OF SCIENCES, ENGINEER-
ING, AND MEDICINE STUDY ON NATURAL IM-
MUNITY IN RELATION TO THE COVID–19 PAN-
DEMIC. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 45 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services shall seek to enter into a contract with 
the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Med-
icine (referred to in this section as the ‘‘National Acad-
emies’’) to conduct a study related to the current scientific 
evidence on the durability of immunity to COVID–19. 
(b) INCLUSIONS.—The study pursuant to the contract 
under subsection (a) shall include— 
(1) an assessment of scientific evidence related to 
the durability of immunity resulting from SARS– 
CoV–2 infection, COVID–19 vaccination, or both, in-
cluding any differences between population groups;
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
(2) an assessment of the extent to which the Fed-
eral Government makes publicly available the sci-
entific evidence used by relevant Federal departments 
and agencies to inform public health recommenda-
tions related to immunity resulting from SARS–CoV– 
2 infection and COVID–19 vaccination; and 
(3) a summary of scientific studies and evidence 
related to SARS–CoV–2 infection-acquired immunity 
from a sample of other countries or multilateral orga-
nizations. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the National Academies shall sub-
mit 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 on the 
study pursuant to subsection (a). 
CHAPTER 2—IMPROVING BIOSAFETY AND 
BIOSECURITY 
SEC. 2311. IMPROVING CONTROL AND OVERSIGHT OF SE-
LECT BIOLOGICAL AGENTS AND TOXINS. 
Section 351A of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 262a) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(1), by amending subpara-
graph (A) to read as follows:
3267 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(A) proper training, including with re-
spect to notification requirements under this sec-
tion, of— 
‘‘(i) individuals who are involved in 
the handling and use of such agents and 
toxins, including appropriate skills to han-
dle such agents and toxins; 
‘‘(ii) individuals whose responsibilities 
routinely place them in close proximity to 
laboratory facilities in which such agents 
and toxins are being transferred, possessed, 
or used; and 
‘‘(iii) individuals who perform admin-
istrative or oversight functions of the facil-
ity related to the transfer, possession, or use 
of such agents and toxins on behalf of reg-
istered persons;’’; 
(2) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ‘‘(including 
the risk of use in domestic or international ter-
rorism)’’ and inserting ‘‘(including risks posed by the 
release, theft, or loss of such agent or toxin, or use in 
domestic or international terrorism)’’; 
(3) in subsection (k)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and 
(2) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively;
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2), as so 
redesignated, the following: 
‘‘(1) NOTIFICATION WITH RESPECT TO FEDERAL 
FACILITIES.—In the event of the release, loss, or theft 
of an agent or toxin listed by the Secretary pursuant 
to subsection (a)(1), or by the Secretary of Agri-
culture pursuant to section 212(a)(1) of the Agricul-
tural Bioterrorism Protection Act of 2002, from or 
within a laboratory facility owned or operated by the 
Department of Health and Human Services, or other 
Federal laboratory facility subject to the requirements 
of this section, the Secretary, in a manner that does 
not compromise national security, shall— 
‘‘(A) not later than 72 hours after such 
event is reported to the Secretary, notify the 
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on 
Energy and Commerce of the House of Rep-
resentatives of such event, including— 
‘‘(i) the Federal laboratory facility in 
which such release, loss, or theft occurred; 
and 
‘‘(ii) the circumstances of such release, 
loss, or theft; and
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(B) not later than 14 days after such noti-
fication, update such Committees on— 
‘‘(i) any actions taken or planned by 
the Secretary to mitigate any potential 
threat such release, loss, or theft may pose 
to public health and safety; and 
‘‘(ii) any actions taken or planned by 
the Secretary to review the circumstances of 
such release, loss, or theft, and prevent simi-
lar events.’’; and 
(C) by amending paragraph (2), as so re-
designated, to read as follows: 
‘‘(2) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Secretary shall sub-
mit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on 
Energy and Commerce of the House of Representa-
tives on an annual basis a report— 
‘‘(A) summarizing the number and nature 
of notifications received under subsection (e)(8) 
(relating to theft or loss) and subsection (j) (re-
lating to releases), during the preceding fiscal 
year; 
‘‘(B) describing actions taken by the Sec-
retary to address such incidents, such as any 
corrective action plans required and steps taken
3270 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
to promote adherence to, and compliance with, 
safety and security best practices, standards, and 
regulations; and 
‘‘(C) describing any gaps, challenges, or 
limitations with respect to ensuring that such 
safety and security practices are consistently ap-
plied and adhered to, and actions taken to ad-
dress such gaps, challenges, or limitations.’’; and 
(4) in subsection (m), by striking ‘‘fiscal years 
2002 through 2007’’ and inserting ‘‘fiscal years 2023 
through 2027’’. 
SEC. 2312. STRATEGY FOR FEDERAL HIGH-CONTAINMENT 
LABORATORIES. 
(a) STRATEGY
FOR FEDERAL HIGH-CONTAINMENT 
LABORATORIES.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Science 
and Technology Policy, in consultation with relevant Fed-
eral departments and agencies, shall establish a strategy for 
the management, maintenance, and oversight of federally- 
owned laboratory facilities operating at Biosafety Level 3 
or 4, including equivalent classification levels and facilities 
with Biosafety Level 4 capabilities. Such strategy shall in-
clude— 
(1) a description of the roles and responsibilities 
of relevant Federal departments and agencies with re-
3271 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
spect to the management, maintenance, and oversight 
of Biosafety Level 3 or 4 laboratory facilities; 
(2) an assessment of the needs of the Federal 
Government with respect to Biosafety Level 3 or 4 
laboratory facilities; 
(3) a summary of existing federally-owned Bio-
safety Level 3 or 4 laboratory facility capacity; 
(4) a summary of other Biosafety Level 3 or 4 
laboratory facility capacity established through Fed-
eral funds; 
(5) a description of how the capacity described 
in paragraphs (3) and (4) addresses the needs of the 
Federal Government, including— 
(A) how relevant Federal departments and 
agencies coordinate to provide access to appro-
priate laboratory facilities to reduce unnecessary 
duplication; and 
(B) any gaps in such capacity related to 
such needs; 
(6) a summary of plans that are in place for the 
maintenance of such capacity within each relevant 
Federal department or agency, as applicable and ap-
propriate, including processes for determining wheth-
er to maintain or expand such capacity, and a de-
scription of how the Federal Government will address
3272 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
rapid changes in the need for such capacity within 
each relevant Federal department or agency during a 
public health emergency; and 
(7) a description of how the heads of relevant 
Federal departments and agencies will coordinate to 
ensure appropriate oversight of federally-owned lab-
oratory facility capacity and leverage such capacity 
within each relevant Federal department, as appro-
priate, to fulfill the needs of each Federal department 
and agency in order to reduce unnecessary duplica-
tion and improve collaboration within the Federal 
Government. 
(b) CLARIFICATION.—The strategy under subsection 
(a) shall not be construed to supersede the authorities of 
each relevant Federal department or agency with respect 
to the management, maintenance, and oversight of the Fed-
erally-owned laboratory facilities operated by any such 
Federal department or agency. 
SEC. 2313. NATIONAL SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD FOR BIO-
SECURITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Part A of title IV of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 281 et seq.) is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘SEC. 404O. NATIONAL SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD FOR BIO-
SECURITY. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary, acting through 
the Director of NIH, shall establish an advisory committee, 
to be known as the ‘National Science Advisory Board for 
Biosecurity’ (referred to in this section as the ‘Board’). 
‘‘(b) DUTIES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The National Science Advi-
sory Board for Biosecurity referred to in section 205 
of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act 
(Public Law 109–417) (referred to in this section as 
the ‘Board’) shall provide technical advice, guidance, 
or recommendations, to relevant Federal departments 
and agencies related to biosafety and biosecurity over-
sight of biomedical research, including— 
‘‘(A) oversight of federally-conducted or fed-
erally-supported dual use biomedical research, 
such as the review of policies or frameworks used 
to assess and appropriately manage safety and 
security risks associated with such research, tak-
ing into consideration national security con-
cerns, the potential benefits of such research, con-
siderations related to the research community, 
transparency, and public availability of infor-
mation, and international research collaboration; 
and
3274 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(B) continuing to carry out the activities 
required under section 205 of the Pandemic and 
All-Hazards Preparedness Act (Public Law 109– 
417). 
‘‘(c) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out the duties 
under subsection (b), the Board may consider strategies to 
improve the safety and security of biomedical research, in-
cluding through— 
‘‘(1) leveraging or using new technologies and 
scientific advancements to reduce safety and security 
risks associated with such research and improve con-
tainment of pathogens; and 
‘‘(2) outreach to, and education and training of, 
researchers, laboratory personnel, and other appro-
priate individuals with respect to safety and security 
risks associated with such research and mitigation of 
such risks. 
‘‘(d) MEMBERSHIP.—The Board shall be composed of 
the following: 
‘‘(1) Non-voting, ex officio members, including 
the following: 
‘‘(A) At least one representative of each of 
the following: 
‘‘(i) The Department of Health and 
Human Services.
3275 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(ii) The Department of Defense. 
‘‘(iii) The Department of Agriculture. 
‘‘(iv) The Department of Homeland Se-
curity. 
‘‘(v) The Department of Energy. 
‘‘(vi) The Department of State. 
‘‘(vii) The Office of Science and Tech-
nology Policy. 
‘‘(viii) The Office of the Director of 
National Intelligence. 
‘‘(B) Representatives of such other Federal 
departments or agencies as the Secretary deter-
mines appropriate to carry out the requirements 
of this section. 
‘‘(2) Individuals, appointed by the Secretary, 
with expertise in biology, infectious diseases, public 
health, ethics, national security, and other fields, as 
the Secretary determines appropriate, who shall serve 
as voting members.’’. 
(b) ORDERLY TRANSITION.—The Secretary of Health 
and Human Services shall take such steps as are necessary 
to provide for the orderly transition to the authority of the 
National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity estab-
lished under section 404O of the Public Health Service Act, 
as added by subsection (a), from any authority of the Board
3276 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
described in section 205 of the Pandemic and All-Hazards 
Preparedness Act (Public Law 109–417), as in effect on the 
day before the date of enactment of this Act. 
(c) APPLICATION.—The requirements under section 
404O of the Public Health Service Act, as added by sub-
section (a), related to the mission, activities, or functions 
of the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity 
shall not apply until the completion of any work under-
taken by such Board before the date of enactment of this 
Act. 
SEC. 2314. RESEARCH TO IMPROVE BIOSAFETY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Health and 
Human Services (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Sec-
retary’’) shall, as appropriate, conduct or support research 
to improve the safe conduct of biomedical research activities 
involving pathogens of pandemic potential or biological 
agents or toxins listed pursuant to section 351A(a)(1) of 
the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262a(a)(1)). 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 5 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prepare and 
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 re-
garding an overview of any research conducted or supported 
under this section, any relevant findings, and steps the Sec-
3277 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
retary is taking to disseminate any such findings to support 
the reduction of risks associated with biomedical research 
involving pathogens of pandemic potential or biological 
agents or toxins listed pursuant to section 351A(a)(1) of 
the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262a(a)(1)). 
SEC. 
2315. 
FEDERALLY-FUNDED 
RESEARCH 
WITH 
EN-
HANCED PATHOGENS OF PANDEMIC POTEN-
TIAL. 
(a) REVIEW AND OVERSIGHT OF ENHANCED PATHO-
GENS OF PANDEMIC POTENTIAL.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the Office of 
Science and Technology Policy (referred to in this sec-
tion as the ‘‘Director’’), in consultation with the 
heads of relevant Federal departments and agencies, 
shall— 
(A) not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act— 
(i) continue or conduct a review of ex-
isting Federal policies related to research 
proposed for Federal funding that may be 
reasonably anticipated to involve the cre-
ation, transfer, or use of enhanced patho-
gens of pandemic potential; and 
(ii) establish or update a Federal pol-
icy for the consistent review and oversight
3278 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
of such proposed research that appro-
priately considers the risks associated with, 
and potential benefits of, such research; and 
(B) not less than every 4 years thereafter, 
review and update such policy, as necessary and 
appropriate, to ensure that such policy fully ac-
counts for relevant research that may be reason-
ably anticipated to involve the creation, transfer, 
or use of enhanced pathogens of pandemic poten-
tial, takes into consideration the benefits of such 
research, and supports the mitigation of related 
risks. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The policy established 
pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include— 
(A) a clear scope to support the consistent 
identification of research proposals subject to 
such policy by relevant Federal departments and 
agencies; 
(B) a framework for such reviews that ac-
counts for safety, security, and ethical consider-
ations related to the creation, transfer, or use of 
enhanced pathogens of pandemic potential; 
(C) measures to enhance the transparency 
and public availability of information related to 
such research activities in a manner that does
3279 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
not compromise national security, the safety and 
security of such research activities, or any iden-
tifiable, sensitive information of relevant indi-
viduals; and 
(D) consistent procedures across relevant 
Federal department and agencies to ensure 
that— 
(i) proposed research that has been de-
termined to have scientific and technical 
merit and may be subject to such policy is 
identified and referred for review; 
(ii) subjected research activities con-
ducted under an award, including activities 
undertaken by any subrecipients of such 
award, are monitored regularly throughout 
the project period to ensure compliance with 
such policy and the terms and conditions of 
such award; and 
(iii) in the event that federally-funded 
research activities not subject to such policy 
produce unanticipated results related to the 
creation, transfer, or use of enhanced patho-
gens of pandemic potential, such research 
activities are identified and appropriately 
reviewed under such policy.
3280 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
(3) CLARIFICATION.—Reviews required pursuant 
to this section shall be in addition to any applicable 
requirements for research project applications re-
quired under the Public Health Service Act, including 
reviews required under section 492 of such Act (42 
U.S.C. 289a), as applicable, or other applicable laws. 
(b) IMPLEMENTATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall direct all 
heads of relevant Federal departments and agencies to 
update, modernize, or promulgate applicable imple-
menting guidance to implement the requirements of 
this section. 
(2) UPDATES.—Consistent with the requirements 
under subsection (a)(1)(B), the Director shall require 
all heads of relevant Federal departments and agen-
cies to update such policies consistent with any 
changes to the policy established pursuant to sub-
section (a)(1). 
(c) LIMITATIONS ON COUNTRIES OF CONCERN CON-
DUCTING CERTAIN RESEARCH.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Beginning not later than 60 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services shall not 
fund research conducted by a foreign entity at a facil-
ity located in a country of concern, in the estimation
3281 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
of the Director of National Intelligence or the head of 
another relevant Federal department or agency, as 
appropriate, in consultation with the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services, involving pathogens of 
pandemic potential or biological agents or toxins list-
ed pursuant to section 351A(a)(1) of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262a(a)(1)). 
(2) CONDITIONS FOR LIFTING OR SUSPENDING 
PROHIBITION.—The Secretary of Health and Human 
Services may lift or suspend the prohibition of fund-
ing under paragraph (1)— 
(A) only after the review required under 
subsection (a)(1)(A)(i) is complete; and 
(B) only if the Secretary notifies Congress 
not less than 15 days before such prohibition is 
lifted or suspended. 
CHAPTER 3—PREVENTING UNDUE FOR-
EIGN INFLUENCE IN BIOMEDICAL RE-
SEARCH 
SEC. 2321. FOREIGN TALENT RECRUITMENT PROGRAMS. 
(a) INTRAMURAL RESEARCH.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services (referred to in this chap-
ter as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall prohibit personnel of the
3282 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
National Institutes of Health engaged in intramural 
research from participation in foreign talent recruit-
ment programs. 
(2) EXEMPTION.—Paragraph (1) shall not apply 
to participation in international conferences or other 
international exchanges, partnerships, or programs, 
for which such participation has been approved by 
the National Institutes of Health. In such cir-
cumstances, the National Institutes of Health shall 
ensure appropriate training is provided to the partic-
ipant on how to respond to overtures from individuals 
associated with foreign talent recruitment programs. 
(b) EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH.—The Secretary shall re-
quire disclosure of participation in foreign talent recruit-
ment programs, including the provision of copies of all 
grants, contracts, or other agreements related to such pro-
grams, and other supporting documentation related to such 
programs, as a condition of receipt of Federal extramural 
biomedical research funding awarded through the Depart-
ment of Health and Human Services. 
(c) CONSISTENCY.—The Secretary shall ensure that the 
policies developed, updated, or issued pursuant to sub-
sections (a) and (b) are, to the greatest extent practicable, 
consistent with the requirements of subtitle D of title VI
3283 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
of division B of Public Law 117–167 (42 U.S.C. 19231 et 
seq.) related to foreign talent recruitment programs. 
SEC. 2322. SECURING IDENTIFIABLE, SENSITIVE INFORMA-
TION AND ADDRESSING OTHER NATIONAL SE-
CURITY RISKS RELATED TO RESEARCH. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Health and 
Human Services, in consultation with the Director of Na-
tional Intelligence, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of 
Defense, and other national security experts, as appro-
priate, shall ensure that biomedical research conducted or 
supported by the National Institutes of Health and other 
relevant agencies and offices within the Department of 
Health and Human Services is conducted or supported in 
a manner that appropriately considers national security 
risks, including national security implications related to re-
search involving the sequencing of human genomic informa-
tion, and collection, analysis, or storage of identifiable, sen-
sitive information, as defined in section 301(d)(4) of the 
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 241(d)(4)), and the 
potential misuse of such data. Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall ensure 
that the National Institutes of Health and other relevant 
agencies and offices within the Department of Health and 
Human Services, in consultation with the heads of agencies 
and national security experts, including the Office of the
3284 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
National Security within the Department of Health and 
Human Services— 
(1) develop a comprehensive framework and poli-
cies for assessing and managing such national secu-
rity risks that includes, or review and update, as ap-
propriate, the current (as of the date of review) such 
framework and policies to include— 
(A) criteria for how and when to conduct 
risk assessments for projects that may have na-
tional security implications; 
(B) security controls and training for re-
searchers or entities, including peer reviewers, 
that manage or have access to such data that 
may present national security risks; and 
(C) methods to incorporate risk mitigation 
in the process for funding such projects that may 
have national security implications and monitor 
associated research activities following issuance 
of an award, including changes in the terms and 
conditions related to the use of such funds, as ap-
propriate; 
(2) not later than 1 year after the framework 
and policies are developed or reviewed and updated, 
as applicable, under paragraph (1), develop and im-
plement controls to ensure that—
3285 
† HR 2617 EAS2 
(A) researchers or entities involved in 
projects reviewed under the framework and rel-
evant policies, including such projects that man-
age or have access to sensitive, identifiable infor-
mation, have complied with the requirements of 
paragraph (1) and ongoing requirements with 
such paragraph; 
(B) consideration of funding for projects 
that may have national security implications 
takes into account the extent to which the coun-
try in which the proposed research will be con-
ducted or supported poses a risk to the integrity 
of the United States biomedical research enter-
prise; and 
(C) data access committees reviewing data 
access requests for projects that may have na-
tional security risks, as appropriate, include 
members with expertise in current and emerging 
national security threats, in order to make ap-
propriate decisions, including related to access to 
such identifiable, sensitive information; and 
(3) not later than 2 years after the framework 
and relevant policies are developed or reviewed and 
updated, as applicable, under paragraph (1), update 
data access and sharing policies related to human
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
genomic data, as applicable, based on current and 
emerging national security threats. 
(b) CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
provide a briefing to the Committee on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions and the Select Committee on Intel-
ligence of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and 
Commerce and the Permanent Select Committee on Intel-
ligence of the House of Representatives on the activities re-
quired under subsection (a). 
SEC. 2323. DUTIES OF THE DIRECTOR. 
Section 402(b) in the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 282(b)), as amended by section 2302, is further 
amended by inserting after paragraph (26) (as added by 
section 2302) the following: 
‘‘(27) shall consult with the Director of the Office 
of National Security within the Department of Health 
and Human Services, the Assistant Secretary for Pre-
paredness and Response, the Director of National In-
telligence, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Inves-
tigation, and the heads of other appropriate agencies 
on a regular basis, regarding biomedical research con-
ducted or supported by the National Institutes of 
Health that may affect or be affected by matters of 
national security;
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(28) shall ensure that recipients of awards from 
the National Institutes of Health, and, as appropriate 
and practicable, entities collaborating with such re-
cipients, have in place and are adhering to appro-
priate technology practices and policies for the secu-
rity of identifiable, sensitive information, including 
information collected, stored, managed, or analyzed 
by domestic and non-domestic entities; and 
‘‘(29) shall ensure that recipients of awards from 
the National Institutes of Health are in compliance 
with the terms and conditions of such award, which 
may include activities to support awareness of, and 
compliance with, such terms and conditions by any 
subrecipients of the award.’’. 
SEC. 2324. PROTECTING AMERICA’S BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH 
ENTERPRISE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consultation with 
the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, 
the Director of National Intelligence, the Director of the 
Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the heads of other rel-
evant departments and agencies, and in consultation with 
research institutions and research advocacy organizations 
or other relevant experts, as appropriate, shall— 
(1) identify ways to improve the protection of 
intellectual property and other proprietary informa-
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spect to peer review, and make recommendations for 
additional policies and procedures to protect such in-
formation; 
(4) develop a framework to identify areas of bio-
medical research and development supported by the 
Federal Government that are emerging areas of inter-
est for state actors and would compromise national 
security if they were to be subjected to undue foreign 
influence; and 
(5) regularly review recommendations or policies 
developed under this section and make additional rec-
ommendations or updates, as appropriate. 
(b) REPORT TO PRESIDENT AND TO CONGRESS.—Not 
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary shall prepare and submit, in a manner that 
does not compromise national security, to the President and 
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 
and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate, the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Permanent 
Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Represent-
atives, and other congressional committees as appropriate, 
a report on the findings and recommendations pursuant to 
subsection (a).
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SEC. 2325. GAO STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Comp-
troller General’’) shall conduct a study to assess the extent 
to which the Department of Health and Human Services 
(referred to in this section as the ‘‘Department’’) utilizes 
or provides funding to entities that utilize such funds for 
human genomic sequencing services or genetic services (as 
such term is defined in section 201(6) of the Genetic Infor-
mation Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (42 U.S.C. 
2000ff(6))) provided by entities, or subsidiaries of such enti-
ties, organized under the laws of a country or countries of 
concern, in the estimation of the Director of National Intel-
ligence or the head of another Federal department or agen-
cy, as appropriate. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out the study 
under this section, the Comptroller General shall— 
(1) consider— 
(A) the extent to which the country or coun-
tries of concern could obtain human genomic in-
formation of citizens and residents of the United 
States from such entities that sequence, analyze, 
collect, or store human genomic information and 
which the Director of National Intelligence or the 
head of another Federal department or agency 
reasonably anticipates may use such information
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
in a manner inconsistent with the national secu-
rity interests of the United States; 
(B) whether the Department or recipient of 
such funds from the Department sought to pro-
vide funding to, or to use, domestic entities with 
no such ties to the country or countries of con-
cern for such purposes and any barriers to the 
use of domestic entities; and 
(C) whether data use agreements, data secu-
rity measures, and other such measures taken by 
the Department or recipient of such funds from 
the Department are sufficient to protect the iden-
tifiable, sensitive information of the people of the 
United States and the national security interests 
of the United States; and 
(2) make recommendations to address any 
vulnerabilities to the United States national security 
identified, as appropriate. 
(c) ESTIMATION.—In conducting the study under this 
section, the Comptroller General may, as appropriate and 
necessary to complete such study, investigate specific in-
stances of such utilization of genetic sequencing services or 
genetic services, as described in subsection (a), to produce 
estimates of the potential prevalence of such utilization 
among entities in receipt of Departmental funds.
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(d) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall sub-
mit a report on the study under this section, in a manner 
that does not compromise national security, to the Com-
mittee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the 
Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate, and the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Permanent 
Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Represent-
atives. The report shall be submitted in unclassified form, 
to the extent practicable, but may include a classified 
annex. 
SEC. 2326. REPORT ON PROGRESS TO ADDRESS UNDUE 
FOREIGN INFLUENCE. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall pre-
pare and submit to the Committee on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on 
Energy and Commerce in the House of Representatives, in 
a manner that does not compromise national security, a 
report on actions taken by the Secretary— 
(1) to address cases of noncompliance with dis-
closure requirements or research misconduct related to 
foreign influence, including— 
(A) the number of potential noncompliance 
cases investigated by the National Institutes of
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
Health or reported to the National Institutes of 
Health by a research institution, including relat-
ing to undisclosed research support, undisclosed 
conflicts of interest or other conflicts of commit-
ment, and peer review violations; 
(B) the number of cases referred to the Of-
fice of Inspector General of the Department of 
Health and Human Services, the Office of Na-
tional Security of the Department of Health and 
Human Services, the Federal Bureau of Inves-
tigation, or other law enforcement agencies; 
(C) a description of enforcement actions 
taken for noncompliance related to undue foreign 
influence; and 
(D) any other relevant information; and 
(2) to prevent, address, and mitigate instances of 
noncompliance with disclosure requirements or re-
search misconduct related to foreign influence. 
CHAPTER 4—ADVANCED RESEARCH 
PROJECTS AGENCY–HEALTH 
SEC. 2331. ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY– 
HEALTH. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title IV of the Public Health Serv-
ice Act is amended by adding at the end the following:
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘PART J—ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS 
AGENCY–HEALTH. 
‘‘SEC. 499A. ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY– 
HEALTH. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—There is established within 
the National Institutes of Health the Advanced Re-
search Projects Agency–Health (referred to in this sec-
tion as ‘ARPA–H’). Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall 
transfer all functions, personnel, missions, activities, 
authorities, and funds of the Advanced Research 
Projects Agency for Health as in existence on the date 
of enactment of this section, to ARPA–H established 
by the preceding sentence. 
‘‘(2) ORGANIZATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—There shall be within 
ARPA–H— 
‘‘(i) an Office of the Director; 
‘‘(ii) not more than 8 program offices; 
and 
‘‘(iii) such special project offices as the 
Director may establish. 
‘‘(B) REQUIREMENT.—Not fewer than two- 
thirds of the program offices of ARPA–H shall be 
exclusively dedicated to supporting research and
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development activities, consistent with the goals 
and functions described in subsection (b). 
‘‘(C) NOTIFICATION.—The Director shall 
submit a notification to the Committee on 
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the 
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and 
the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the 
Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
Representatives if the Director determines that 
additional program offices are required to carry 
out this section. 
‘‘(3) EXEMPTION
FROM
CERTAIN
POLICIES
OF 
NIH.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Except as otherwise 
provided for in this section, and subject to sub-
paragraph (B), in establishing ARPA–H pursu-
ant to paragraph (1), the Secretary may exempt 
ARPA–H from policies and requirements of the 
National Institutes of Health that are in effect 
on the day before the date of enactment of this 
section as necessary and appropriate to ensure 
ARPA–H can most effectively achieve the goals 
described in subsection (b)(1). 
‘‘(B) NOTICE.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this section, the Sec-
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
retary shall publish a notice in the Federal Reg-
ister describing the specific policies and require-
ments of the National Institutes of Health from 
which the Secretary intends to exempt ARPA–H, 
including a rationale for such exemptions. 
‘‘(b) GOALS AND FUNCTIONS.— 
‘‘(1) GOALS.—The goals of ARPA–H shall be 
to— 
‘‘(A) foster the development of novel, break-
through, and broadly applicable capabilities and 
technologies to accelerate transformative innova-
tion in biomedical science and medicine in a 
manner that cannot be readily accomplished 
through traditional Federal biomedical research 
and development programs or commercial activ-
ity; 
‘‘(B) revolutionize the detection, diagnosis, 
mitigation, prevention, treatment, and cure of 
diseases and health conditions by overcoming 
long-term and significant technological and sci-
entific barriers to developing transformative 
health technologies; 
‘‘(C) promote high-risk, high-reward inno-
vation to enable the advancement of trans-
formative health technologies; and
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‘‘(D) contribute to ensuring the United 
States— 
‘‘(i) pursues initiatives that aim to 
maintain global leadership in science and 
innovation; and 
‘‘(ii) improves the health and wellbeing 
of its citizens by supporting the advance-
ment of biomedical science and innovation. 
‘‘(2) FUNCTIONS.—ARPA–H shall achieve the 
goals specified in paragraph (1) by addressing spe-
cific scientific or technical questions by involving 
high-impact transformative, translational, applied, 
and advanced research in relevant areas of science, by 
supporting— 
‘‘(A) discovery, identification, and pro-
motion of revolutionary advancements in science; 
‘‘(B) translation of scientific discoveries 
into transformative health technologies with po-
tential application for biomedical science and 
medicine; 
‘‘(C) creation of platform capabilities that 
draw on multiple disciplines; 
‘‘(D) delivery of proofs of concept that dem-
onstrate meaningful advances with potential 
clinical application;
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(E) development of new capabilities and 
methods to identify potential targets and techno-
logical strategies for early disease detection and 
intervention, such as advanced computational 
tools and predictive models; and 
‘‘(F) acceleration of transformational health 
technological advances in areas with limited 
technical certainty. 
‘‘(c) DIRECTOR.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The President shall appoint 
a director of ARPA–H (in this section referred to as 
the ‘Director’). 
‘‘(2) QUALIFICATIONS.—The Director shall be an 
individual who, by reason of professional background 
and experience— 
‘‘(A) is especially qualified to advise the 
Secretary on, and manage— 
‘‘(i) research and development pro-
grams; and 
‘‘(ii) large-scale, high-risk initiatives 
with respect to health research and tech-
nology development across multiple sectors, 
including identifying and supporting poten-
tially transformative health technologies; 
and
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(B) has a demonstrated ability to identify 
and develop partnerships to address strategic 
needs in meeting the goals described in sub-
section (b)(1). 
‘‘(3) REPORTING.—The Director shall report to 
the Secretary of Health and Human Services. 
‘‘(4) DUTIES.—The duties of the Director shall 
include the following: 
‘‘(A) Establish strategic goals, objectives, 
and priorities for ARPA–H to advance the goals 
described in subsection (b)(1). 
‘‘(B) Approve the projects and programs of 
ARPA–H and restructure, expand, or terminate 
any project or program within ARPA–H that is 
not achieving its goals. 
‘‘(C) Develop funding criteria and assess the 
success of programs through the establishment of 
technical milestones. 
‘‘(D) Request that applications for funding 
disclose current and previous research and devel-
opment efforts related to such applications, as 
appropriate, and identify any challenges associ-
ated with such efforts, including any scientific or 
technical barriers encountered in the course of
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
such efforts or challenges in securing sources of 
funding, as applicable. 
‘‘(E) Coordinate with the heads of relevant 
Federal departments and agencies to facilitate 
sharing of data and information, as applicable 
and appropriate, and ensure that research sup-
ported by ARPA–H is informed by and supple-
ments, not supplants, the activities of such de-
partments and agencies and is free of unneces-
sary duplication of effort. 
‘‘(F) Ensure ARPA–H does not provide 
funding for a project unless the program man-
ager determines that the project aligns with the 
goals described in subsection (b)(1). 
‘‘(G) Prioritize investments based on consid-
erations such as— 
‘‘(i) scientific opportunity and poten-
tial impact, especially in areas that fit 
within the strategies and operating prac-
tices of ARPA–H and require public-private 
partnerships to effectively advance research 
and development activities; and 
‘‘(ii) the potential applications that an 
innovation may have to address areas of 
currently unmet need in medicine and
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
health, including health disparities and the 
potential to prevent progression to serious 
disease. 
‘‘(H) Encourage strategic collaboration and 
partnerships with a broad range of entities, 
which may include institutions of higher edu-
cation, minority-serving institutions (defined, 
for the purposes of this section, as institutions 
and programs described in section 326(e)(1) of 
the Higher Education Act of 1965 and institu-
tions described in section 371(a) of such Act), in-
dustry, nonprofit organizations, Federally fund-
ed research and development centers, or consortia 
of such entities. 
‘‘(5) TERM.—Notwithstanding section 405(a)(2), 
the Director— 
‘‘(A) shall be appointed for a 4-year term; 
and 
‘‘(B) may be reappointed for 1 consecutive 
4-year term. 
‘‘(6) AUTONOMY
OF
AGENCY
REGARDING
REC-
OMMENDATIONS AND TESTIMONY.—No office or agency 
of the United States shall have authority to require 
the Director to submit legislative recommendations, or 
testimony or comments on legislation, to any officer
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
or agency of the United States for approval, com-
ments, or review prior to the submission of such rec-
ommendations, testimony or comments to Congress, if 
such recommendations, testimony, or comments to 
Congress include a statement indicating that the 
views expressed therein are those of the Director and 
do not necessarily reflect the views of the President or 
another Federal department, agency, or office. 
‘‘(7) DEPUTY DIRECTOR.—The Director shall ap-
point a Deputy Director to serve as the principal as-
sistant to the Director. 
‘‘(8) NONAPPLICATION OF CERTAIN PROVISION.— 
The restrictions contained in section 202 of the De-
partments of Labor, Health and Human Services, 
and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations 
Act, 1993 (Public Law 102–394; 42 U.S.C. 238f note) 
related to consultants and individual scientists ap-
pointed for limited periods of time shall not apply to 
the Director appointed under this subsection. 
‘‘(d) APPLICATION OF CERTAIN FLEXIBILITIES.—The 
flexibilities provided to the National Institutes of Health 
under section 301(g) shall apply to ARPA–H with respect 
to the functions described in subsection (b)(2). 
‘‘(e) PROTECTION OF INFORMATION.—
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(1) NO
AUTHORIZATION
FOR
DISCLOSURE.— 
Nothing in this section shall be construed as author-
izing the Director to disclose any information that is 
a trade secret or other privileged or confidential infor-
mation subject to section 552(b)(4) of title 5, United 
States Code, or section 1905 of title 18, United States 
Code. 
‘‘(2) REPORTING.—If there have been requests 
under section 522 of title 5, United States Code, or 
the Secretary has used such authority to withhold in-
formation within the preceding year, not later than 
1 year after the date of enactment of this section, and 
annually thereafter, the Director shall report to the 
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pen-
sions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and 
Commerce of the House of Representatives on— 
‘‘(A) the number of instances in which the 
Secretary has used the authority under this sub-
section to withhold information from disclosure; 
and 
‘‘(B) the nature of any request under section 
552 of title 5, United States Code, or section 
1905 of title 18, United States Code, that was 
denied using such authority.
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(3) CLARIFICATION.—The protections for trade 
secrets or other privileged or confidential information 
described in paragraph (1) shall not be construed to 
limit the availability or disclosure of information 
necessary to inform and facilitate the evaluation re-
quired under subsection (k)(2). Any such information 
made available to members of the National Academies 
of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (referred to in 
this section as the ‘National Academies’) for such 
evaluation shall be kept confidential by such members 
and shall not be used for any purposes other than in-
forming and facilitating the evaluation required 
under subsection (k)(2). 
‘‘(f) COOPERATION WITH THE FOOD AND DRUG AD-
MINISTRATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In order to facilitate the en-
hanced collaboration and communication with respect 
to the most current priorities of ARPA–H, the Food 
and Drug Administration may meet with ARPA–H 
and any other Federal partners at appropriate inter-
vals to discuss the development status, and actions 
that may be taken to facilitate the development, of 
medical products and projects that are the highest 
priorities to ARPA–H.
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(2) REIMBURSEMENT.—Utilizing interagency 
agreements or other appropriate resource allocation 
mechanisms available, the Director shall reimburse, 
using funds made available to ARPA–H, the Food 
and Drug Administration, as appropriate, for activi-
ties identified by the Commissioner of Food and 
Drugs and the Director as being conducted by the 
Food and Drug Administration under the authority 
of this subsection. 
‘‘(g) AWARDS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out this section, 
the Director may— 
‘‘(A) award grants and cooperative agree-
ments, which shall include requirements to pub-
licly report indirect facilities and administrative 
costs, broken out by fixed capital costs, adminis-
trative overhead, and labor costs; 
‘‘(B) award contracts, which may include 
multi-year contracts subject to section 3903 of 
title 41, United States Code; 
‘‘(C) award cash prizes, utilizing the au-
thorities and processes established under section 
24 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innova-
tion Act of 1980; and
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
‘‘(D) enter into other transactions, as de-
fined by section 319L(a)(3), subject to paragraph 
(2). 
‘‘(2) LIMITATIONS
ON
ENTERING
INTO
OTHER 
TRANSACTIONS.— 
‘‘(A) USE OF COMPETITIVE PROCEDURES.— 
To the maximum extent practicable, competitive 
procedures shall be used when entering into other 
transactions under this section. 
‘‘(B) 
WRITTEN
DETERMINATION
RE-
QUIRED.—The authority of paragraph (1)(D) 
may be exercised for a project if the program 
manager— 
‘‘(i) submits a request to the Director 
for each individual use of such authority be-
fore conducting or supporting a program, 
including an explanation of why the use of 
such authority is essential to promoting the 
success of the project; 
‘‘(ii) receives approval for the use of 
such authority from the Director; and 
‘‘(iii) for each year in which the pro-
gram manager has used such authority in 
accordance with this paragraph, submits a
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† HR 2617 EAS2 
report to the Director on the activities of the 
program related to such project. 
‘‘(3) EXEMPTIONS
FROM
CERTAIN
REQUIRE-
MENTS.—Research funded by ARPA–H shall not be 
subject to the requirements of section 406(a)(3)(A)(ii) 
or section 492. 
‘‘(h) FACILITIES AUTHORITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director is authorized, 
for administrative purposes, to— 
‘‘(A) acquire (by purchase, lease, condemna-
tion or otherwise), construct, improve, repair, 
operate, and maintain such real and personal 
property as are necessary to carry out this sec-
tion; and 
‘‘(B) lease an interest in property for not 
more than 20 years, notwithstanding section 
1341(a)(1) of title 31, United States Code. 
‘‘(2) LOCATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—ARPA–H, including its 
headquarters, shall not be located on any part of 
the existing National Institutes of Health cam-
puses. 
‘‘(B) NUMBER
OF
LOCATIONS.—ARPA–H 
shall have offices or facilities in not less than 3 
geographic areas.