International Biosecurity Act of 2010

Bill: 111-hr-6297
Sponsor: Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-27]
Introduced: 2010-09-29 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Advisory bodies
Arms control and nonproliferation
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Emergency communications systems
Foreign aid and international relief
Genetics
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Health information and medical records
Higher education
Infectious and parasitic diseases
International law and treaties
International organizations and cooperation
Law enforcement administration and funding
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Student aid and college costs
Technology assessment
Terrorism
World health

Summary:
action_date: 2010-09-29
text: 
International Biosecurity Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of State to establish the International Biosecurity Initiative which shall: (1) pursue efforts to establish international standards for pathogen and laboratory safety; (2) pursue efforts to ensure a strong global legal regime for biosecurity; (3) pursue strategies to strengthen the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction; (4) engage in cooperative efforts to improve national, regional, and multinational surveillance and response capabilities with respect to infectious disease outbreaks; (5) support international mechanisms that enhance biosecurity policy coordination; (6) facilitate the alignment of foreign assistance for biosecurity with the public health needs of recipient countries; (7) engage in multilateral and bilateral discussions of biodefense programs and control of sensitive biotechnologies to ensure that they are limited to peaceful purposes; and (8) develop an assessment of the potential security threats and societal and ethical impacts posed by emerging and future biotechnology developments. 
 
Directs the Secretary to: (1) convene an International Biosecurity Task Force of experts to serve as a nongovernmental consultative body for the International Biosecurity Initiative; (2) establish the Nonproliferation and Counterterrorism Fellowship Program to provide eligible students and recent graduates educational fellowships for obtaining a deeper understanding of federal efforts to counter terrorist activities and to promote nonproliferation; (3) submit to Congress an assessment of the limits and capabilities of technologies that could be used for investigating biological incidents and allegations of illegal biological weapons activities; (4) submit to Congress an assessment of the global legal regime for biosecurity; and (5) report to Congress following any incident in which a foreign country fails to share information about the outbreak of a previously unknown infectious disease or about an outbreak for which the country is otherwise required to share information.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-09-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2010-09-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2010-09-29
text: Introduced in House