Bill Summary
This legislation aims to enhance the United States' preparedness for biological, chemical, and radiological threats by amending the Public Health Service Act. It introduces two primary components: a Biological Attribution Strategy and an Early Warning Strategy.
1. **Biological Attribution Strategy**: This section mandates the development of a strategy for effectively determining the source and cause of biological hazards and pathogens with pandemic potential. It outlines the responsibilities of federal agencies, the criteria for making attribution determinations, and the need for coordination among agencies. It also emphasizes the importance of developing new technologies for diagnostics and safe collection methods.
2. **Early Warning Strategy**: This component focuses on establishing a robust system for early detection of biological, chemical, and radiological threats. It includes objectives such as leveraging new technologies for threat identification, understanding current threats, and ensuring rapid deployment of response measures. The Secretary of Health is tasked with consulting various stakeholders to streamline efforts and avoid duplication of resources.
Overall, the legislation seeks to improve national security and public health response capabilities through better coordination, advanced technology, and strategic planning in the face of emerging threats.
Possible Impacts
The legislation outlined in the provided bill aims to enhance the United States' preparedness for biological, chemical, and radiological threats through the development of a biological attribution strategy and an early warning strategy. Here are three examples of how this legislation could affect people:
1. **Improved Public Health Response**: The legislation mandates the development of a biological attribution strategy, which would enhance federal coordination in identifying and responding to biological hazards and pathogens with pandemic potential. This could lead to quicker identification of disease outbreaks, allowing public health agencies to implement containment measures sooner. As a result, individuals may experience less disruption to their daily lives, reduced risk of illness, and more confidence in the government's ability to manage health crises.
2. **Increased Safety and Security**: By establishing an early warning strategy for detecting biological, chemical, and radiological threats, the legislation aims to identify these threats at the earliest stages. This could enhance national security and ensure that people are better protected from potential attacks or outbreaks. Communities could benefit from improved safety protocols and preparedness initiatives, leading to a more resilient society capable of handling emergencies effectively.
3. **Technological Advancements in Health Monitoring**: The bill emphasizes the development and implementation of new technologies for diagnostics, sequencing, and safe collection capabilities. This focus on innovation could lead to advancements in healthcare technologies available to the public, improving disease detection and response capabilities. People may benefit from enhanced medical services, including faster and more accurate testing for infectious diseases, which could improve overall health outcomes and reduce the spread of illness in the population.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4165 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4165
To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for the inclusion of
a biological attribution strategy, and an early warning strategy and
implementation plan, in the National Health Security Strategy, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 26, 2025
Mr. Crenshaw (for himself and Mr. Swalwell) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for the inclusion of
a biological attribution strategy, and an early warning strategy and
implementation plan, in the National Health Security Strategy, 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. BIOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTION STRATEGY.
(a) Preparedness Goal.--Section 2802(b) of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh-1(b)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(11) Biological attribution strategy.--Developing a
biological attribution strategy to improve Federal coordination
of duties and activities related to biological attribution of
biological hazards and pathogens of pandemic potential, which
shall include developing a strategy in accordance with
subsection (c).''.
(b) Details of Strategy.--Section 2802 of the Public Health Service
Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh-1) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Biological Attribution Strategy.--
``(1) Contents.--The biological attribution strategy under
subsection (b)(11) shall include the following:
``(A) A description of the biological attribution
duties of each appropriate Federal agency, including--
``(i) the nature of routine biological
attribution activities;
``(ii) the level and type of biological
events that may trigger an attribution
determination by the appropriate Federal
agencies regarding the source, cause, or origin
of such events; and
``(iii) the Federal agency's routine
exercise of the capabilities to perform
biological attribution activities.
``(B) The process by which a biological attribution
determination is made by each such Federal agency,
including how such process may address national
security considerations.
``(C) Development of assignments, milestones, and
timelines necessary to establish the strongest possible
national capacity for biological attribution.
``(D) A plan for the identification, development,
and implementation of new technologies, through both
internal and public-private initiatives, with an
emphasis on diagnostic, sequencing, and safe collection
capabilities.
``(2) Coordination.--In developing the biological
attribution strategy under subsection (b)(11), the Secretary
shall coordinate with the relevant Federal agencies, including
the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, the
Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the Office of the
Director of National Intelligence.''.
SEC. 2. EARLY WARNING STRATEGY AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.
(a) Preparedness Goal.--Section 2802(b) of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh-1(b)), as amended by section 1, is further
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(12) Early warning strategy and implementation plan.--
Developing and implementing an early warning strategy and
implementation plan for biological, chemical, and radiological
threats, in accordance with subsection (d).''.
(b) Details of Strategy and Plan.--Section 2802 of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh-1), as amended by section 1, is
further amended by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Early Warning Strategy and Implementation Plan.--
``(1) Objectives.--The objectives of the early warning
strategy and implementation plan under subsection (b)(12) shall
include--
``(A) development of a robust early warning
function for the United States which incorporates new
technologies, with an emphasis on diagnostic,
sequencing, and safe collection capabilities;
``(B) identification of new biological threats at
the earliest time to inform response strategies;
``(C) understanding of the prevalence of current
and recurring threats;
``(D) the ability to adapt technologies to emerging
chemical and radiological threats, including synthetic
drugs and fentanyl;
``(E) ongoing detection from broad sources
including wastewater, airports, and transportation
hubs; and
``(F) the ability to rapidly deploy technologies at
scale during a public health event.
``(2) Coordination and eliminating duplication.--
``(A) Consultation.--In developing the early
warning strategy and implementation plan under
subsection (b)(12), the Secretary shall consult with--
``(i) State and local public health
entities;
``(ii) private sector and academic
partners; and
``(iii) Federal officials as appropriate,
including--
``(I) the Assistant Secretary for
Strategic Preparedness and Response;
and
``(II) the Director of the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention.
``(B) Purposes.--The purposes of consultation under
paragraph (1) shall be to coordinate activities,
streamline Federal programs, and eliminate waste and
duplication.
``(C) Meetings.--The Secretary, on a periodic basis
as applicable and appropriate, shall meet with the
Director of National Intelligence to inform the
development and capabilities of the early warning
strategy and implementation plan under subsection
(b)(12) for foreign and cross-border threats.''.
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