Improving the Health of Children Act
Bill: H.R.5551 | Sponsor: Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" (R-GA)
Policy area: Health

Summary:
Improving the Health of Children Act
This bill reauthorizes through FY2026 programs and activities of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for researching and preventing birth defects, developmental disabilities, and other conditions.
Specifically, the bill reauthorizes the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. The center carries out activities to advance the health and well-being of vulnerable populations, including infants with birth defects, children with developmental disabilities, and individuals of all ages with disabilities or blood disorders.

To amend title III of the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the 
 National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, and 
                          for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Improving the Health of Children 
Act''.

SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE NATIONAL CENTER ON BIRTH DEFECTS AND 
              DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

    Section 317C of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247b-4) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (a)(4) and inserting the 
        following:
            ``(4) Specific programs.--The Secretary, acting through the 
        Director of the Center, shall continue to carry out programs 
        related to--
                    ``(A) early identification of developmental delay 
                and disability;
                    ``(B) birth defects;
                    ``(C) folic acid;
                    ``(D) cerebral palsy;
                    ``(E) intellectual disabilities;
                    ``(F) child development;
                    ``(G) newborn screening;
                    ``(H) autism;
                    ``(I) fragile X syndrome;
                    ``(J) fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and other 
                conditions related to prenatal substance use;
                    ``(K) pediatric genetic disorders;
                    ``(L) neuromuscular diseases;
                    ``(M) congenital heart defects;
                    ``(N) attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder;
                    ``(O) stillbirth;
                    ``(P) Tourette Syndrome; or
                    ``(Q) any other relevant disease, disability, 
                disorder, or condition, as determined the Secretary.'';
            (2) in subsection (c), in the matter preceding paragraph 
        (1), by striking ``Not later than February 1'' and all that 
        follows through ``2 fiscal years--'' and inserting the 
        following: ``The Secretary shall submit biennially to the 
        Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
        Representatives, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
        and Pensions of the Senate, a report that--''; and
            (3) in subsection (f), by striking ``such sums as may be 
        necessary for each of fiscal years 2003 through 2007'' and 
        inserting ``$186,010,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 
        2026''.

SEC. 3. EFFECTS OF FOLIC ACID IN PREVENTION OF BIRTH DEFECTS.

    Section 317J of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247b-11) 
is amended by striking subsection (e) (relating to authorization of 
appropriations).

            Passed the House of Representatives December 8, 2021.

            Attest:

                                             CHERYL L. JOHNSON,

                                                                 Clerk.