Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2510
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Aging
Air quality
Atmospheric science and weather
Building construction
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Educational facilities and institutions
Elementary and secondary education
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy prices
Environmental health
Executive Office of the President
Executive agency funding and structure
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Forests, forestry, trees
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Lighting, heating, cooling
Medical research
Minority health
Poverty and welfare assistance
Public utilities and utility rates
Urban and suburban affairs and development
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 

Preventing Health Emergencies And Temperature-related Illness and Deaths Act of 2021 or the Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2021

 
This bill provides statutory authority for, and otherwise revises, the National Integrated Heat Health Information System Program to improve the capacity of the United States to prepare for, adapt to, and mitigate health risks of extreme heat. The Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) must carry out this program. (Currently, the program is jointly administered by NOAA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
 
Under the bill, the program may provide financial assistance for projects to increase awareness, education, and research about extreme heat events and mitigate the human health impacts of those events. In awarding the assistance, the program must prioritize historically disadvantaged communities and communities with significant heat disparities associated with race, ethnicity, or income. Other components of the program include grants for research on climate and health and a study of relevant policy, research, and data gaps concerning extreme heat information and response.
 
The bill also establishes an interagency committee within the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a strategic plan and otherwise coordinate federal activities related to the program.

action_date: 2022-12-12
text: 

Preventing Health Emergencies And Temperature-related Illness and Deaths Act of 2021 or the Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2021

 
This bill provides statutory authority for, and otherwise revises, the National Integrated Heat Health Information System to improve the capacity of the United States to prepare for, adapt to, and mitigate health risks of extreme heat. The bill tasks the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with administering the system. (Currently, the system is jointly administered by NOAA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
 
The bill also authorizes financial assistance for projects to increase awareness, education, and research about extreme heat events and prioritizes projects that serve historically disadvantaged communities and communities with the greatest risk or highest incidence of heat-related illnesses and deaths.
 
Additionally, NOAA must contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study relevant policy, research, and data gaps concerning extreme heat information and response.
 
The bill also establishes an interagency committee within the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a strategic plan and otherwise coordinate federal activities related to addressing health risks and impacts of heat.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-12
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 624.
action_date: 2022-12-12
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2022-12-12
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2022-06-22
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in Senate