Effective Prosecution of Possession of Biological Toxins and Agents Act of 2018

Bill: 115-hr-7326
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Ratcliffe, John [R-TX-4]
Introduced: 2018-12-17
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Chemical and biological weapons

Emergency medical services and trauma care

Hazardous wastes and toxic substances

Terrorism
Latest action: action_date: 2018-12-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Summaries:
action_date: 2018-12-17
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Effective Prosecution of Possession of Biological Toxins and Agents Act of 2018</b></p> <p>This bill revises the criminal prohibition on the shipment, transport, possession, or receipt of a biological agent or toxin by a restricted person. Specifically, it updates references to the lists of agents and toxins covered by the prohibition.</p>

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7326 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 17, 2018 Mr. Ratcliffe (for himself and Miss Rice of New York ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To amend section 175b of title 18, United States Code, to correct a scrivener’s error.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Effective Prosecution of Possession of Biological Toxins and Agents Act of 2018 . 2. Prohibition on the possession of biological toxins and agents Section 175b of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by striking (a)(1) No restricted and all that follows through the end of paragraph (1) and inserting the following: (a) Offense (1) In general It shall be unlawful for a restricted person to— (A) ship, transport, or possess in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce any biological agent or toxin described in paragraph (2); or (B) receive any biological agent or toxin described in paragraph (2) that has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce. (2) Agents and toxins covered A biological agent or toxin described in this paragraph is a biological agent or toxin that— (A) is listed as a non-overlap or overlap select biological agent or toxin under part 73 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, pursuant to section 351A of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 262a ); and (B) is not excluded or exempted under part 73 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations. ; and (B) by striking (2) Whoever and inserting (3) Penalty .—Whoever and adjusting the margin accordingly; and (2) in subsection (d), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting Definitions .— before In this section: .