US SB485 | 2009-2010 | 111th Congress
Status
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: Introduced on February 26 2009 - 25% progression, died in chamber
Action: 2009-02-26 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [PDF]
Status: Introduced on February 26 2009 - 25% progression, died in chamber
Action: 2009-02-26 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [PDF]
Summary
Select Agent Program and Biosafety Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act and the Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act of 2002 to reauthorize appropriations for the Select Agent Program, which lists and controls biological agents and toxins that have the potential to pose a severe threat to public health and safety. Requires appropriate training of individuals handling or using such agents and toxins. Includes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) among the federal agencies limited in the disclosure of information related to listed agents or toxins.Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to review and make recommendations for improving the Select Agent Program.Sets forth additional factors that the Secretary must consider in determining whether to list an agent or toxin, including whether the agent or toxin is endemic to the United States.Requires the Secretary to issue guidance on inventorying and monitoring listed biological agents.Directs the Attorney General to issue guidance regarding the scope of the statutory definition of "variola virus." Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop guidelines for how laboratories and laboratory personnel that do not regularly test for listed agents and toxins may be rapidly accessed and utilized during emergencies; and (2) evaluate national needs of, and oversight of, high containment biological laboratories.Provides for the development of minimum standards for laboratory biosafety and biosecurity training for relevant personnel of high containment biological laboratories.Requires the Secretary to establish a Biological Laboratory Incident Reporting System.
Title
Select Agent Program and Biosafety Improvement Act of 2009
Sponsors
Sen. Richard Burr [R-NC] | Sen. Edward Kennedy [D-MA] |
History
Date | Chamber | Action |
---|---|---|
2009-02-26 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. | |
2009-02-26 | Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2559-2561) |
Same As/Similar To
HB1225 (Related) 2009-04-23 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture.
Subjects
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Health and Human Services
Department of Homeland Security
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government information and archives
Government investigations
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Health programs administration and funding
Research and development
Terrorism
US Congress State Sources
Type | Source |
---|---|
Summary | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/485/all-info |
Text | https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/s485/BILLS-111s485is.pdf |