S 1765 · 107th Congress 2001–2003, ended

Bioterrorism Preparedness Act of 2001

Introduced Dec 4, 2001 Originated Senate Sponsor William H. Frist R-TN

Fact sheet

Latest action · Dec 5, 2001 Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 255.

Progress

Where this bill reached, and when. A stage with no date was not reached; one that failed a vote and later carried shows the date it carried.

IntroducedDec 4, 2001
Passed SenateNot reached
Passed HouseNot reached
To the PresidentNot reached
Became lawNot reached

Summary

Bioterrorism Preparedness Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to add provisions granting additional authorities to the Secretary of Health and Human Services concerning bioterrorism preparedness and responding to public health emergencies. Requires the Secretary to develop and implement a plan which includes the development of specific criteria enabling measurements to be made of the progress made at the national, State, and local levels toward achieving the national goal of bioterrorism preparedness.

Requires the maintenance of an adequate national pharmaceutical stockpile of vaccines (including a smallpox vaccine), therapies, and medical supplies for use at the Secretary's discretion in the event of a biological threat or attack or other public health emergency.

Expands the role of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Directs the Secretary to provide for the establishment of a coordinated network of public health laboratories to assist with the detection of and response to a biological threat or attack.

Provides for the appointment of an Assistant Secretary for Emergency Preparedness who shall head the Office for Emergency Preparedness.

Provides for a National Disaster Medical System to provide appropriate health and social services to respond to a public health emergency, if the Secretary activates the System.

Provides for enhanced regulatory control of biological agents and toxins.

Establishes a State Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Block Grant Program to improve State and local preparedness and response capabilities.

Amends the Clayton Act to provide for a limited antitrust exemption with respect to the development of new countermeasures against bioterrorism.

Requires, under the Public Health Service Act, the development of a crisis communications and education strategy with respect to bioterrorist threats to the food supply. Expands animal and plant health inspection service activities and authorities.

Amends the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to expand the authority of the Food and Drug Administration with respect to food presenting a serious threat to humans or animals.

Requires the registration of food manufacturing, processing, and handling facilities.

Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to utilize existing authorities to expand Agricultural Research Service and Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service programs to protect the food supply of the United States.

Cosponsors 80

Members who signed on, in the order they did. Signatures ran from Dec 4, 2001 to Feb 12, 2002, with 72 there on the day it was introduced.

Seat	Cosponsor		Signed on
R-PA	Arlen Specter	Original	Dec 4, 2001
D-MD	Barbara A. Mikulski	Original	Dec 4, 2001
D-CO	Ben Nighthorse Campbell	Original	Dec 4, 2001
D-FL	Bill Nelson	Original	Dec 4, 2001
D-AR	Blanche L. Lincoln	Original	Dec 4, 2001
D-ND	Byron L. Dorgan	Original	Dec 4, 2001
D-NY	Charles E. Schumer	Original	Dec 4, 2001
D-CT	Christopher J. Dodd	Original	Dec 4, 2001
R-MO	Christopher S. Bond	Original	Dec 4, 2001
R-IA	Chuck Grassley	Original	Dec 4, 2001
R-NE	Chuck Hagel	Original	Dec 4, 2001
R-MT	Conrad R. Burns	Original	Dec 4, 2001
R-WY	Craig Thomas	Original	Dec 4, 2001
D-HI	Daniel K. Akaka	Original	Dec 4, 2001
D-MI	Debbie Stabenow	Original	Dec 4, 2001

Show all 80 cosponsors

Actions 3

Everything that happened, newest first.

Dec 5, 2001Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 255.
Dec 4, 2001Introduced in Senate
Dec 4, 2001Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.

Related bills 1

Companion bills and other measures the record links to this one.

Bill	Title	Relationship	Latest action
HR 3448	Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002	Related bill	Jun 12, 2002

Subjects

Assigned by the Library of Congress. Policy area: Emergency Management.

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