Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Modernizing Biosurveillance Capabilities and Epidemic Forecasting Act”.
Modernizing Biosurveillance Capabilities and Epidemic Forecasting Act
A BILL
To modernize biosurveillance capabilities and infectious disease data collection, and improve epidemic forecasting and outbreak analytics.
Sec. 2 Modernizing biosurveillance capabilities and infectious disease data collection
Section 319D of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d–4) is amended—
in subsection (b)(1)(A), by striking “, and local” and inserting “, local, and Tribal”;
in subsection (c)—
in paragraph (1), by inserting “modernize,” after “establish,”;
in paragraph (3)(B), by inserting “, and make recommendations to improve the quality of data collected pursuant to subparagraph (A) to ensure complete, accurate, and timely sharing of such data, as appropriate, across such elements as described in subparagraph (A)” after “under subparagraph (A)”;
in paragraph (5)—
in subparagraph (A)—
in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking “and operating” and inserting “, operating, and updating, as appropriate,”;
in clause (iv), by striking “and” at the end;
in clause (v), by striking the period and inserting “; and”; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(vi) in collaboration with State, local, and Tribal public health officials, integrate and update applicable existing public health data systems and networks of the Department of Health and Human Services to reflect technological advancements, consistent with section 2823, as applicable.”
in subparagraph (B)—
in clause (i), by inserting “and 180 days after the date of enactment of the Modernizing Biosurveillance Capabilities and Epidemic Forecasting Act,” after “Innovation Act of 2019,”;
in clause (ii), by inserting “experts in privacy and data security;” after “forecasting);”; and
in clause (iii)—
in subclause (V), by striking “and” at the end;
in subclause (VI), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(VII) strategies to integrate laboratory and public health data systems and capabilities to support rapid and accurate reporting of laboratory test results and associated relevant data;
“(VIII) strategies to improve the collection and reporting of relevant, aggregated, deidentified demographic data to inform responses to public health emergencies, including identification of at-risk populations and to address potential health disparities; and
“(IX) strategies to improve the electronic exchange of health information between State and local health departments and health care providers and facilities to improve public health surveillance.”
in paragraph (6)(A)—
in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting “and every 5 years thereafter,” after “Innovation Act of 2019,”
in clause (iii)—
in subclause (III), by striking “and” at the end; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(V) improve coordination and collaboration, as appropriate, with other Federal departments; and
“(VI) implement applicable lessons learned from recent public health emergencies to address gaps in situational awareness and biosurveillance capabilities;”
in clause (iv), by striking “and” at the end;
in clause (v), by striking the period and inserting “, including a description of how such steps will further the goals of the network, consistent with paragraph (1); and”; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(vi) identifies and demonstrates measurable steps the Secretary will take to further develop and integrate infectious disease detection, support rapid and accurate reporting of laboratory test results during a public health emergency, and improve coordination and collaboration with State, local, and Tribal public health officials, clinical laboratories, and other entities with expertise in public health surveillance.”
in subsection (d)—
in paragraph (1), by inserting “, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and in coordination with the heads of other appropriate agencies and offices within the Department of Health and Human Services,” after “the Secretary”;
in paragraph (2)(C), by inserting “, including any public-private partnerships or other partnerships entered into to improve such capacity” before the semicolon; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(6) Non-duplication of effort—The Secretary shall ensure that activities carried out under an award under this subsection do not unnecessarily duplicate efforts of other agencies and offices within the Department of Health and Human Services.”
by amending subsection (i) to read as follows:
“(i) Authorization of appropriations—There are authorized to be appropriated—
“(1) to carry out subsection (a), $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023; and
“(2) to carry out subsections (b), (c), and (d), $136,800,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023.”
by striking “tribal” each place it appears and inserting “Tribal”.
Sec. 3 Epidemic forecasting and outbreak analytics
Title XXVIII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“2824. Epidemic forecasting and outbreak analytics
“(a) In general—The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall continue activities related to the development of infectious disease outbreak analysis capabilities to enhance the prediction, modeling, and forecasting of potential public health emergencies and other infectious disease outbreaks, which may include activities to support preparedness for, and response to, such emergencies and outbreaks. In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall identify strategies to include and leverage, as appropriate, the capabilities to public and private entities, which may include conducting such activities through collaborative partnerships with public and private entities, including academic institutions, and other Federal agencies, consistent with section 319D, as applicable.
“(b) Considerations—In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may consider public health data and, as appropriate, other data sources related to the transmission of such infectious diseases that affect preparedness for, or response to, public health emergencies and infectious disease outbreaks.
“(c) Annual reports—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter for each of the subsequent 4 years, the Secretary shall prepare and submit a report, to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, regarding an update on progress on activities conducted under this section to develop infectious disease outbreak analysis capabilities and any additional information relevant to such efforts.”