Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2024

12/20/2024, 2:23 AM

Preventing Health Emergencies And Temperature-related Illness and Deaths Act of 2023 or the Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2023

This bill establishes several programs to address the adverse health effects of extreme heat.

For example, the bill establishes an interagency committee in the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy to address the health risks of extreme heat through coordinated research, strategic partnerships, and workforce development. It also requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to (1) establish a heat health information system to improve forecasts of extreme heat, and (2) contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study policy, data, and research gaps relating to extreme heat. 

NOAA may also, in coordination with the interagency committee, award financial assistance to nonprofits, academic institutions, and state, local, and tribal governments to support the ability of communities to mitigate the health effects of extreme heat (e.g., building modifications and educational campaigns).

Bill 118 s 2645, also known as the Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2023, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of addressing the issue of heat-related illnesses and deaths in the country. The bill seeks to implement measures to prevent and reduce the occurrence of heat-related illnesses and deaths, particularly among vulnerable populations such as outdoor workers, athletes, and the elderly.

The key provisions of the bill include the establishment of a national heat illness prevention program, which would provide resources and guidelines for employers, schools, and other organizations to prevent heat-related illnesses. The program would also include training for healthcare providers on recognizing and treating heat-related illnesses.

Additionally, the bill calls for the development of a national heat action plan, which would outline strategies for responding to extreme heat events and protecting vulnerable populations. The plan would also include provisions for monitoring heat-related illnesses and deaths, as well as coordinating response efforts across federal, state, and local agencies. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for research and data collection on heat-related illnesses and deaths, in order to better understand the scope of the problem and inform future prevention efforts. The bill also calls for the establishment of a public education campaign to raise awareness about the risks of heat-related illnesses and the importance of prevention measures. Overall, the Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2023 aims to address the growing threat of heat-related illnesses and deaths in the US by implementing comprehensive prevention measures, improving response efforts, and raising public awareness about the risks of extreme heat.
Congress
118
Number
S - 2645
Introduced on
2023-07-27
# Amendments
0
Sponsors
+5
Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

7/27/2023
Text
PDF
XML

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Preventing Health Emergencies And Temperature-related Illness and Deaths Act of 2023 or the Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2023

This bill establishes several programs to address the adverse health effects of extreme heat.

For example, the bill establishes an interagency committee in the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy to address the health risks of extreme heat through coordinated research, strategic partnerships, and workforce development. It also requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to (1) establish a heat health information system to improve forecasts of extreme heat, and (2) contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study policy, data, and research gaps relating to extreme heat. 

NOAA may also, in coordination with the interagency committee, award financial assistance to nonprofits, academic institutions, and state, local, and tribal governments to support the ability of communities to mitigate the health effects of extreme heat (e.g., building modifications and educational campaigns).

Bill 118 s 2645, also known as the Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2023, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of addressing the issue of heat-related illnesses and deaths in the country. The bill seeks to implement measures to prevent and reduce the occurrence of heat-related illnesses and deaths, particularly among vulnerable populations such as outdoor workers, athletes, and the elderly.

The key provisions of the bill include the establishment of a national heat illness prevention program, which would provide resources and guidelines for employers, schools, and other organizations to prevent heat-related illnesses. The program would also include training for healthcare providers on recognizing and treating heat-related illnesses.

Additionally, the bill calls for the development of a national heat action plan, which would outline strategies for responding to extreme heat events and protecting vulnerable populations. The plan would also include provisions for monitoring heat-related illnesses and deaths, as well as coordinating response efforts across federal, state, and local agencies. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for research and data collection on heat-related illnesses and deaths, in order to better understand the scope of the problem and inform future prevention efforts. The bill also calls for the establishment of a public education campaign to raise awareness about the risks of heat-related illnesses and the importance of prevention measures. Overall, the Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2023 aims to address the growing threat of heat-related illnesses and deaths in the US by implementing comprehensive prevention measures, improving response efforts, and raising public awareness about the risks of extreme heat.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to reduce the health risks of heat by establishing the National Integrated Heat Health Information System within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Integrated Heat Health Information System Interagency Committee to improve extreme heat preparedness, planning, and response, requiring a study, and establishing financial assistance programs to address heat effects, and for other purposes.
Policy Areas
Health
Potential Impact
Aging•
Air quality•
Atmospheric science and weather•
Building construction•
Cardiovascular and respiratory health•
Climate change and greenhouse gases•
Congressional oversight•
Correctional facilities and imprisonment•
Educational facilities and institutions•
Elementary and secondary education•
Emergency medical services and trauma care•
Energy efficiency and conservation•
Energy prices•
Environmental health•
Executive Office of the President•
Executive agency funding and structure•
Foreign language and bilingual programs•
Forests, forestry, trees•
Government information and archives•
Government studies and investigations•
Health information and medical records•
Health programs administration and funding•
Health promotion and preventive care•
Infectious and parasitic diseases•
Lighting, heating, cooling•
Medical research•
Minority health•
Poverty and welfare assistance•
Public utilities and utility rates•
Urban and suburban affairs and development•
Worker safety and health

Comments

Related

Member:  Edward J. Markey
Committee:  Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Bill Update Alert:  Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2023

Recent Activity

Latest Summary11/7/2024

Preventing Health Emergencies And Temperature-related Illness and Deaths Act of 2023 or the Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2023

This bill establishes several programs to address the adverse health effects of extre...

Latest Action12/17/2024
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 720.