IB 
Union Calendar No. 469 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8610 
[Report No. 117–650, Part I] 
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the Office of 
Health Security, make technical corrections to the authorization of the 
Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, establish a Countering 
Weapons of Mass Destruction Advisory Committee, establish a depart-
mental biodefense strategy, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 29, 2022 
Mrs. DEMINGS (for herself, Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, Ms. CLARKE of 
New York, and Ms. UNDERWOOD) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to 
the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently 
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provi-
sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
DECEMBER 20, 2022 
Additional sponsor: Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS 
DECEMBER 20, 2022 
Reported from the Committee on Homeland Security with an amendment 
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] 
DECEMBER 20, 2022 
Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged; committed to the Committee 
of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed 
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on July 29, 2022] 
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A BILL 
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize 
the Office of Health Security, make technical corrections 
to the authorization of the Countering Weapons of Mass 
Destruction Office, establish a Countering Weapons of 
Mass Destruction Advisory Committee, establish a de-
partmental biodefense strategy, and for other purposes. 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Health Security and Countering Weapons of Mass De-
struction Act’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
TITLE I—OFFICE OF HEALTH SECURITY 
Sec. 101. Office of Health Security. 
TITLE II—COUNTERING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION OFFICE 
Sec. 201. Technical corrections; Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Advi-
sory Committee; departmental biodefense strategy. 
Sec. 202. Biodefense review and strategy. 
Sec. 203. Sunset repealed. 
Sec. 204. Comptroller General review. 
TITLE I—OFFICE OF HEALTH 
SECURITY 
SEC. 101. OFFICE OF HEALTH SECURITY. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Homeland Security Act of 
2002 (6 U.S.C. 101 et seq.) is amended— 
(1) in section 103 (6 U.S.C. 113)— 
(A) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ‘‘Assist-
ant Secretary for Health Affairs, the Assistant 
Secretary for Legislative Affairs,’’ and inserting 
‘‘Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs’’; 
and 
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(B) in subsection (d), by adding at the end 
the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(6) A Chief Medical Officer.’’; 
(2) by adding at the end the following new title: 
‘‘TITLE XXIII—OFFICE OF 
HEALTH SECURITY’’; 
(3) by redesignating section 1931 (6 U.S.C. 597) 
as section 2301 and transferring such section, as so 
redesignated, to appear after the heading for title 
XXIII, as added by paragraph (2); 
(4) in section 2301, as so redesignated and 
transferred— 
(A) by amending the section heading to 
read as follows: ‘‘OFFICE OF HEALTH SECU-
RITY’’; 
(B) by amending subsection (a) to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There is in the Department an Of-
fice of Health Security.’’; 
(C) by amending subsection (b) to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(b) HEAD OF OFFICE OF HEALTH SECURITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Office of Health Secu-
rity shall be headed by a Chief Medical Officer (in 
this title referred to as the ‘Chief Medical Officer’), 
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who shall be at the level of Assistant Secretary within 
the Department. 
‘‘(2) QUALIFICATIONS; DUTIES.—The Chief Med-
ical Officer shall— 
‘‘(A) be appointed by the President pursu-
ant to section 103(d); 
‘‘(B) be a licensed physician possessing a 
demonstrated ability in and knowledge of medi-
cine and public health; and 
‘‘(C) report directly to the Secretary.’’; 
(D) in subsection (c)— 
(i) in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1), by striking ‘‘medical issues related to 
natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and 
other man-made disasters, including—’’ 
and inserting ‘‘medical, public health, and 
workforce health and safety matters, includ-
ing issues related to—’’; 
(ii) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘the 
Secretary, the Administrator of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency, the Assist-
ant Secretary, and other Department offi-
cials’’ and inserting ‘‘the Secretary and all 
other Department officials’’; 
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(iii) in paragraph (4), by striking 
‘‘and’’ after the semicolon; 
(iv) by redesignating paragraph (5) as 
paragraph (11); and 
(v) by inserting after paragraph (4) 
the following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(5) delivering, advising, and supporting— 
‘‘(A) direct patient care; and 
‘‘(B) the organization, management, and 
staffing of component operations that deliver di-
rect patient care; 
‘‘(6) advising the Secretary and the head of each 
component of the Department that delivers direct pa-
tient care regarding— 
‘‘(A) knowledge and skill standards for med-
ical personnel and the assessment of such knowl-
edge and skill; 
‘‘(B) the collection, storage, and oversight of 
medical records; and 
‘‘(C) contracts for the delivery of direct pa-
tient care, other medical services, and medical 
supplies; 
‘‘(7) advising the head of each component of the 
Department that delivers direct patient care regard-
ing the recruitment and appointment of a component 
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chief medical officer, or, as the case may be, the em-
ployee who functions in the capacity of a component 
chief medical officer; 
‘‘(8) with respect to preparation and response for 
pandemics, ensuring the protection of the workforce of 
the Department, with an emphasis on front line work-
ers most at risk, through— 
‘‘(A) health security planning; and 
‘‘(B) provision of subject matter and plan-
ning expertise to the Chief Readiness Support 
Officer of the Department regarding stockpiling 
and distribution of supplies, including adequate 
personal protective equipment; 
‘‘(9) with respect to any psychological health 
counseling or assistance program of the Department, 
including such a program of a law enforcement, oper-
ational, or support component of the Department, ad-
vising the head of each such component with such a 
program regarding— 
‘‘(A) ensuring such program includes safe-
guards against adverse action, including auto-
matic referrals for a fitness for duty examina-
tion, by such component with respect to any em-
ployee solely because such employee self-identifies 
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a need for psychological health counseling or as-
sistance or receives such counseling or assistance; 
‘‘(B) increasing the availability and num-
ber of local psychological health professionals 
with experience providing psychological support 
services to personnel; 
‘‘(C) establishing a behavioral health cur-
riculum for employees at the beginning of their 
careers to provide resources early regarding the 
importance of psychological health; 
‘‘(D) establishing periodic management 
training on crisis intervention and such compo-
nent’s psychological health counseling or assist-
ance program; 
‘‘(E) improving any associated existing em-
ployee peer support programs, including by mak-
ing additional training and resources available 
for peer support personnel in the workplace 
across such component; 
‘‘(F) developing and implementing a vol-
untary alcohol treatment program that includes 
a safe harbor for employees who seek treatment; 
‘‘(G) prioritizing, as appropriate, expertise 
in the provision of psychological health coun-
seling and assistance for certain populations of 
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the workforce, such as employees serving in posi-
tions within law enforcement, to help improve 
outcomes for such employees receiving such coun-
seling or assistance; and 
‘‘(H) 
including 
collaborating 
and 
partnering with key employee stakeholders and, 
for those components with employees with an ex-
clusive representative, the exclusive representa-
tive with respect to such a program; 
‘‘(10) in consultation with the Chief Information 
Officer of the Department— 
‘‘(A) identifying methods and technologies 
for managing, updating, and overseeing patient 
records; and 
‘‘(B) setting standards for technology used 
by components of the Department regarding the 
collection, storage, and oversight of medical 
records; and’’; and 
(E) by adding at the end the following new 
subsections: 
‘‘(d) ASSISTANCE AND AGREEMENTS.—In furtherance 
of this section, the Chief Medical Officer, at the direction 
of the Secretary, may— 
‘‘(1) provide technical assistance, training, infor-
mation, and distribute funds through grants and co-
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operative agreements to State, local, Tribal, and terri-
torial governments, and nongovernmental organiza-
tions; 
‘‘(2) enter into agreements with appropriate 
Federal departments and other executive agencies; 
and 
‘‘(3) accept services from personnel of compo-
nents of the Department and appropriate Federal de-
partments and other executive agencies on a reim-
bursable or nonreimbursable basis. 
‘‘(e) OFFICE OF HEALTH SECURITY PRIVACY OFFI-
CER.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—There shall be a Privacy Of-
ficer of the Office of Health Security, designated by 
the Chief Medical Officer in consultation with the 
Privacy Officer of the Department, with primary re-
sponsibility for privacy policy and compliance within 
the Office and with respect to the carrying out of re-
sponsibilities described in subsection (c). 
‘‘(2) DUTIES.—The Privacy Officer of the Office 
of Health Security shall— 
‘‘(A) report directly to the Chief Medical Of-
ficer; 
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‘‘(B) coordinate with and, as requested, sup-
port the activities of the Privacy Officer ap-
pointed under section 222; and 
‘‘(C) ensure privacy protections are inte-
grated into all activities of the Office of Health 
Security, subject to the review and approval of 
the Privacy Officer of the Department. 
‘‘(f) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this subsection and annually 
thereafter, the Chief Medical Officer shall submit to Con-
gress a report on the activities of the Office of Health Secu-
rity for the immediately preceding year.’’; 
(5) by redesignating section 710 (6 U.S.C. 350) 
as section 2302 and transferring such section to ap-
pear after section 2301 (as redesignated and trans-
ferred pursuant to paragraph (3)); 
(6) in section 2302, as so redesignated and 
transferred— 
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘Under 
Secretary for Management’’ each place such term 
appears and inserting ‘‘Chief Medical Officer’’; 
and 
(B) in subsection (b)— 
(i) in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1), by striking ‘‘Under Secretary for Man-
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agement, in coordination with the Chief 
Medical Officer,’’ and inserting ‘‘Chief Med-
ical Officer’’; and 
(ii) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘as 
deemed appropriate by the Under Sec-
retary,’’; 
(7) by redesignating section 528 (6 U.S.C. 321q) 
as section 2303 and transferring such section to ap-
pear after section 2302, as so redesignated and trans-
ferred; and 
(8) in subsection (a) of section 2303, as so rede-
signed and transferred, by striking ‘‘Assistant Sec-
retary for the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruc-
tion Office’’ and inserting ‘‘Chief Medical Officer’’. 
(b) MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES PROGRAM.—The 
Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101 et seq.) is 
amended by redesignating section 1932 (6 U.S.C. 597a) as 
section 2304 and transferring such section, as so redesig-
nated, to appear after section 2303 (as redesignated and 
transferred pursuant to subsection (a)(7)) of title XXIII. 
(c) TRANSITION AND TRANSFERS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The individual appointed 
pursuant to section 1931(a) of the Homeland Security 
Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 597) (as such section appeared 
on the day before the date of the enactment of this 
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Act) of the Department of Homeland Security and 
serving as the Chief Medical Officer of the Depart-
ment of Homeland Security on the day before such 
date of enactment, shall continue to serve as the Chief 
Medical Officer of the Department after such date 
without the need for reappointment. 
(2) SAVING CLAUSE.—The rule of construction 
set forth in section 2(hh) of the Presidential Appoint-
ment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 (Pub-
lic Law 112–166, 5 U.S.C. 3132 note) shall not apply 
to the Chief Medical Officer of the Department of 
Homeland Security (including the incumbent who 
holds the position on the day before the date of the en-
actment of this Act), and such officer shall be a Sen-
ior Executive Service position (as that term is defined 
in section 3132(a) of title 5, United States Code) and 
receive the rate of basic pay for level IV of the Execu-
tive Schedule (in accordance with section 5315 of such 
title). 
(3) TRANSFER.—The Secretary of Homeland Se-
curity shall transfer to the Chief Medical Officer all 
functions, personnel, budget authority, and assets of— 
(A) the Under Secretary for Management, 
relating to workforce health and medical support, 
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(B) the Assistant Secretary for the Coun-
tering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, relat-
ing to the Chief Medical Officer (including the 
Medical Operations Directorate of the Coun-
tering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office), and 
(C) the Assistant Secretary for the Coun-
tering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, with 
respect to food, agriculture, and veterinary de-
fense programs of such Office, 
as in existence on the day before the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. 
(d) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
The Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended— 
(1) by redesignating section 529 (6 U.S.C. 321r) 
as section 528; 
(2) in section 704(e)(4) (6 U.S.C. 344(e)(4)), by 
striking ‘‘section 711(a)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 
710(a)’’; 
(3) by redesignating sections 711 (6 U.S.C. 351), 
712 (6 U.S.C. 352), and 713 (6 U.S.C. 353) as sec-
tions 710, 711, and 712, respectively; and 
(4) in title XIX, by striking the enumerator and 
heading of subtitle C. 
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(e) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—The table of contents in 
section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is 
amended— 
(1) by striking the item relating to section 528 
(as in existence on the day before the date of the en-
actment of this Act); 
(2) by redesignating the item relating to section 
529 as the item relating to section 528; 
(3) by striking the item relating to section 710 
(as in existence on the day before the date of the en-
actment of this Act); 
(4) by redesignating the items relating to sec-
tions 711, 712, and 713 as the items relating to sec-
tions 710, 711, and 712, respectively; 
(5) by inserting after the item relating to section 
1900 the following new item: 
‘‘Sec. 1900A. Rule of construction.’’; 
(6) by inserting after the item relating to section 
1928 the following new item: 
‘‘Sec. 1929. Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Advisory Committee.’’; 
(7) by striking the items relating to subtitle C of 
title XIX (as in existence on the day before the date 
of the enactment of this Act); and 
(8) by adding at the end the following new items: 
‘‘TITLE XXIII—OFFICE OF HEALTH SECURITY 
‘‘Sec. 2301. Office of Health Security. 
‘‘Sec. 2302. Workforce health and medical support. 
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‘‘Sec. 2303. Coordination of Department of Homeland Security efforts related to 
food, agriculture, and veterinary defense against terrorism. 
‘‘Sec. 2304. Medical countermeasures.’’. 
TITLE 
II—COUNTERING 
WEAP-
ONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION 
OFFICE 
SEC. 201. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS; COUNTERING WEAP-
ONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE; 
DEPARTMENTAL 
BIODEFENSE 
STRATEGY. 
Title XIX of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 
U.S.C. 591 et seq.) is amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding subtitle A, by insert-
ing after section 1900 the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 1900A. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. 
‘‘Nothing in this title may be construed as affecting 
in any manner or respect the operation of the Chemical 
Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program of the Cyberse-
curity and Infrastructure Security Agency or title XXI.’’; 
(2) in subtitle A, in section 1901(c) (6 U.S.C. 
591(c))— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘serve as the Secretary’s principal 
advisor on’’; and 
(B) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and 
inserting the following new paragraphs: 
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‘‘(1) serve as the Secretary’s principal advisor on 
matters and strategies relating to— 
‘‘(A) countering weapons of mass destruc-
tion; and 
‘‘(B) non-medical aspects of chemical, bio-
logical, radiological, and nuclear threats, and 
non-conventional emerging terrorism threats; 
‘‘(2) coordinate the efforts of the Department to 
counter— 
‘‘(A) weapons of mass destruction; 
‘‘(B) non-medical aspects of chemical, bio-
logical, radiological, and nuclear threats; and 
‘‘(C) other related emerging terrorism 
threats; and 
‘‘(3) enhance the ability of Federal, State, local, 
Tribal, and territorial partners to prevent, detect, 
protect against, and mitigate the impacts of terrorist 
attacks in the United States involving— 
‘‘(A) weapons of mass destruction; or 
‘‘(B) non-medical aspects of chemical, bio-
logical, radiological, and nuclear threats, and 
non-conventional emerging terrorism threats.’’; 
and 
(3) in subtitle B— 
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(A) in section 1921 (6 U.S.C. 591g), by 
striking ‘‘The Office shall be responsible’’ and all 
that follows through ‘‘interests of the United 
States.’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘The Office 
shall be responsible for— 
‘‘(1) coordinating the Department’s efforts and 
with other Federal Departments and agencies to 
counter weapons of mass destruction and non-medical 
aspects of chemical, biological, radiological, and nu-
clear threats, and non-conventional emerging ter-
rorism threats; and 
‘‘(2) enhancing the ability of Federal, State, 
local, Tribal, and territorial partners to prevent, de-
tect, protect against, and mitigate the impacts of— 
‘‘(A) weapons of mass destruction; and 
‘‘(B) non-medical aspects of chemical, bio-
logical, radiological, and nuclear threats, and 
non-conventional emerging terrorism threats.’’; 
(B) in section 1923(a) (6 U.S.C. 592(a))— 
(i) by redesignating paragraphs (13) 
and (14) as paragraphs (19) and (20), re-
spectively; and 
(ii) by inserting after paragraph (12) 
the following new paragraphs: 
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‘‘(13) serve as the primary entity within the De-
partment responsible for developing, acquiring, de-
ploying, supporting, and operating a national bio-
surveillance system in support of Federal, State, local, 
Tribal, and territorial governments; 
‘‘(14) support the enhancement of chemical and 
biological detection efforts of Federal, State, local, 
Tribal, and territorial governments, and provide 
guidance, tools, and training to help ensure a man-
aged, coordinated response among such entities; 
‘‘(15) collaborate with relevant Federal stake-
holders, and receive input from industry, academia, 
and the national laboratories regarding chemical and 
biological surveillance efforts; 
‘‘(16) carry out a program to test and evaluate, 
in consultation with the Science and Technology Di-
rectorate and, as appropriate, State, local, Tribal, 
and territorial partners, and in coordination with 
other relevant Federal agencies, technology to detect 
and report on chemical, biological, radiological, and 
nuclear weapons or unauthorized material for use by 
the Department and such partners, and establish per-
formance metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of indi-
vidual detectors and detection systems in detecting 
such weapons or material— 
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‘‘(A) under realistic operational and envi-
ronmental conditions; and 
‘‘(B) against realistic adversary tactics and 
countermeasures; 
‘‘(17) conduct, support, coordinate, and encour-
age, in consultation with State, local, Tribal, and ter-
ritorial partners, and in coordination with the 
Science and Technology Directorate, transformational 
research and development efforts to generate new tech-
nologies to detect, protect against, and report on the 
illicit entry across the United States borders, or the 
transport, assembly, or use within the United States 
of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear 
weapons or unauthorized material; 
‘‘(18) support and enhance the effective sharing 
and use of appropriate information regarding chem-
ical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats and 
non-conventional emerging terrorism threats gen-
erated by elements of the intelligence community (as 
such term is defined in section 3 of the National Se-
curity Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003)), law enforce-
ment agencies, other Federal agencies, State, local, 
Tribal, and territorial governments, and foreign gov-
ernments, as well as provide appropriate information 
to such entities;’’; 
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(C) in section 1924 (6 U.S.C. 593)— 
(i) in the first sentence, by striking 
‘‘section 1101 of the Strom Thurmond Na-
tional Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 1999 (5 U.S.C. 3104 note)’’ and in-
serting ‘‘section 4092 of title 10, United 
States Code, except that such authorities 
shall be limited to facilitate the recruitment 
of experts in the chemical, biological, radio-
logical, or nuclear specialties’’; and 
(ii) by striking the second sentence; 
(D) in section 1928 (6 U.S.C. 596b)— 
(i) in subsection (c)(1), by striking 
‘‘from among high-risk urban areas under 
section 2003’’ and inserting ‘‘based on the 
capability and capacity of the jurisdiction, 
as well as the relative threat, vulnerability, 
and consequences from terrorist attacks and 
other high-consequence events utilizing nu-
clear or other radiological materials’’; and 
(ii) by amending subsection (d) to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(d) REPORT.—Not later than two years after the date 
of enactment of the Health Security and Countering Weap-
ons of Mass Destruction, the Secretary shall submit to the 
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Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report regarding the 
STC program.’’; and 
(E) by adding at the end the following new 
section: 
‘‘SEC. 1929. COUNTERING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION 
ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the Of-
fice a Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Advisory 
Committee (in this section referred to as the ‘Advisory Com-
mittee’). The Advisory Committee shall make recommenda-
tions with respect to the activities of the Office. 
‘‘(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Assistant Secretary shall ap-
point not more than 18 individuals to serve as members 
of the Advisory Committee. Such individuals shall rep-
resent, to the extent practicable, a geographic (including 
urban and rural) and substantive cross section of officials 
from State, local, and Tribal governments, academia, the 
private sector, and nongovernmental organizations. The As-
sistant Secretary shall seek to ensure one-third of the mem-
bers are selected from the emergency management field and 
emergency response providers and State, local, and Tribal 
government officials. The Assistant Secretary shall seek to 
ensure the remaining members are— 
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‘‘(1) individuals from the public or private sec-
tors with expertise in chemical, biological, radio-
logical, or nuclear agents and weapons; 
‘‘(2) representatives from the national labora-
tories; and 
‘‘(3) such other individuals as the Assistant Sec-
retary determines appropriate. 
‘‘(c) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Advisory Committee 
shall— 
‘‘(1) advise the Assistant Secretary on all aspects 
of countering weapons of mass destruction; 
‘‘(2) incorporate State, local, and Tribal govern-
ment, national laboratories, and private sector input 
in the development of the strategy and implementa-
tion plan of the Department for countering weapons 
of mass destruction; and 
‘‘(3) establish performance criteria for a national 
biological detection system and review any associated 
testing protocols for biological detection prototypes. 
‘‘(d) CONSULTATION.—The Assistant Secretary shall 
regularly consult and work with the Advisory Committee 
regarding the Office’s activities, including with respect to 
activities associated with the administration of Federal as-
sistance provided by the Department, and the development 
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of requirements for countering weapons of mass destruction 
programs. 
‘‘(e) VOLUNTARY SERVICE AND TERMS.—The members 
of the Advisory Committee shall serve on the Advisory Com-
mittee on a voluntary basis. Members of may serve for up 
to three consecutive years, but a member appointed to fill 
a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for 
which such member’s predecessor was appointed may be ap-
pointed for the remainder of such term. 
‘‘(f) FACA.—The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Advisory Committee.’’. 
SEC. 202. BIODEFENSE REVIEW AND STRATEGY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title V of the Homeland Security 
Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 311 et seq.) is amended by inserting 
after section 515 (6 U.S.C. 321d) the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 516. DEPARTMENT-WIDE BIODEFENSE REVIEW AND 
STRATEGY. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary, in con-
sultation with appropriate stakeholders representing Fed-
eral, State, Tribal, territorial, academic, private sector, and 
nongovernmental entities, shall conduct a Department-wide 
review of biodefense activities and strategies. 
‘‘(b) REVIEW.—The review required under subsection 
(a) shall— 
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‘‘(1) identify with specificity the biodefense lines 
of effort of the Department, including relating to bio-
defense roles, responsibilities, and capabilities of com-
ponents and offices of the Department; 
‘‘(2) assess how such components and offices co-
ordinate internally and with public and private part-
ners in the biodefense enterprise; 
‘‘(3) identify any policy, resource, capability, or 
other gaps in the Department’s ability to assess, pre-
vent, protect against, and respond to biological 
threats; and 
‘‘(4) identify any organizational changes or re-
forms necessary for the Department to effectively exe-
cute its biodefense mission and role, including with 
respect to public and private partners in the bio-
defense enterprise. 
‘‘(c) STRATEGY.—Not later than one year after comple-
tion of the review required under subsection (a), the Sec-
retary shall issue a biodefense strategy for the Department 
that is informed by such review and is aligned with section 
1086 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2017 (6 U.S.C. 104; relating to the development of 
a national biodefense strategy and associated implementa-
tion plan, including a review and assessment of biodefense 
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policies, practices, programs, and initiatives) or successor 
strategy. Such strategy shall— 
‘‘(1) describe the Department’s biodefense mis-
sion and role, as well as how such relates to the bio-
defense lines of effort of the Department; 
‘‘(2) clarify, as necessary, biodefense roles, re-
sponsibilities, and capabilities of the Department’s 
components and offices involved in the biodefense lines 
of effort of the Department; 
‘‘(3) establish how biodefense lines of effort of the 
Department are to be coordinated within the Depart-
ment; 
‘‘(4) establish how the Department engages with 
public and private partners in the biodefense enter-
prise, including other Federal agencies, national lab-
oratories and sites, and State, local, Tribal, and terri-
torial entities, with specificity regarding the fre-
quency and nature of such engagement by Depart-
ment components and offices with State, local, Tribal 
and territorial entities; and 
‘‘(5) include information relating to— 
‘‘(A) milestones and performance metrics 
that are specific to the Department’s biodefense 
mission and role described in paragraph (1); 
and 
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‘‘(B) implementation of any operational 
changes necessary to carry out paragraphs (3) 
and (4). 
‘‘(d) PERIODIC UPDATE.—Beginning not later than 
five years after the issuance of the strategy and implementa-
tion plans required under subsection (c) and not less often 
than once every five years thereafter, the Secretary shall re-
view and update, as necessary, such strategy and plans.’’. 
(b) CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT.—Not later than 30 
days after the issuance of the biodefense strategy and imple-
mentation plans for the Department of Homeland Security 
required under section 516(c) of the Homeland Security Act 
of 2002, as added by subsection (a), the Secretary of Home-
land Security shall brief the Committee on Homeland Secu-
rity of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate 
regarding such strategy and plans. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents in 
section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 515 
the following new item: 
‘‘Sec. 516. Department-wide biodefense review and strategy.’’. 
SEC. 203. SUNSET REPEALED. 
Subsection (e) of section 1901 of the Homeland Secu-
rity Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 591) is repealed. 
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SEC. 204. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REVIEW. 
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall report to the Committee on Homeland Security of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate regarding 
the implementation of section 516 of the Homeland Security 
Act of 2002, as added by section 202, including information 
relating to the following: 
(1) The Office’s efforts to prioritize its programs 
and activities to conduct the Office’s mission to safe-
guard against chemical, biological, radiological, and 
nuclear threats. 
(2) The consistency and effectiveness of the Of-
fice’s efforts at coordinating with State, local, Tribal, 
and territorial entities and international partners 
across its mission areas. 
(3) The Office’s efforts to manage the lifecycle of 
research and development within the Office and with 
other operational and support components of the De-
partment of Homeland Security, including the 
Science and Technology Directorate. 
(4) Any actions by the Office to measure progress 
in addressing employee engagement and improving 
employee morale across the Office. 
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(5) The extent and effectiveness of the Office’s co-
ordination with other operational and support com-
ponents, including the Science and Technology Direc-
torate, of the Department regarding research and de-
velopment projects. 
(6) The Office’s efforts to prioritize its research 
and development funding, including to address emerg-
ing chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear 
threats. 
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Union Calendar No. 469 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8610 
[Report No. 117–650, Part I] 
A BILL 
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to 
authorize the Office of Health Security, make 
technical corrections to the authorization of the 
Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, 
establish a Countering Weapons of Mass De-
struction Advisory Committee, establish a depart-
mental biodefense strategy, and for other pur-
poses. 
DECEMBER 20, 2022 
Reported from the Committee on Homeland Security 
with an amendment 
DECEMBER 20, 2022 
Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged; com-
mitted to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
State of the Union and ordered to be printed 
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