Never Again International Outbreak Prevention Act

Bill: 116-hr-7132
Sponsor: Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
Introduced: 2020-06-08 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Agricultural marketing and promotion
Animal and plant health
Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign loans and debt
Foreign property
Government information and archives
Government liability
Government studies and investigations
Health information and medical records
Infectious and parasitic diseases
International organizations and cooperation
Jurisdiction and venue
Licensing and registrations
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Multilateral development programs
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Public contracts and procurement
Sanctions
Trade restrictions
United Nations
Visas and passports
War and emergency powers
World health

Summary:
action_date: 2020-06-08
text: 

Never Again International Outbreak Prevention Act

 
This bill establishes measures related to international accountability for outbreaks of novel viruses and diseases.
 
The Department of State must establish lists of countries based on the procedures and standards each country has implemented to (1) identify outbreaks and monitor diseases, and (2) ensure that novel viruses and diseases are timely reported.
 
The President must take specified action with respect to countries that are deemed capable of implementing such procedures and standards but have not done so. The President may also sanction government officials of such countries.
 
Foreign state sovereign immunity is waived in any case seeking damages against a foreign state for (1) injury or death in the United States caused by a state's failure to abide by such procedures and standards, or (2) intentionally misleading the international community or the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the outbreak or spread of a health concern that leads to a pandemic.
 
The President must facilitate (1) an international investigation and report on the response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), and (2) an international audit of the WHO relating to its actions in response to COVID-19.
 
The U.S. Representative to the United Nations (U.N.) must request that the U.N. (1) review the WHO's response to COVID-19, and (2) recommend actions to improve future responses and ensure WHO accountability for identified failures. The Representative shall seek a global ban on wet markets (markets where animals of uncertified origin and health are sold in unhygienic conditions, dead or alive, for human consumption).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-06-08
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, the Judiciary, and Oversight and Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2020-06-08
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, the Judiciary, and Oversight and Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2020-06-08
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, the Judiciary, and Oversight and Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2020-06-08
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, the Judiciary, and Oversight and Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2020-06-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-06-08
text: Introduced in House