Section 1 Direct hire authority for certain emergency response positions
In general— As the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines necessary to respond to a critical hiring need for emergency response positions, after providing public notice and without regard to the provisions of sections 3309 through 3318 of title 5, United States Code, such secretary may appoint candidates directly to the following positions:
Intermittent disaster-response personnel in the National Disaster Medical System, under section 2812 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh–11).
Not more than 150 positions in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.
Expiration— The authority under subsection (a) shall expire 270 days after the date of enactment of this section.