Summary of Bill S 2645
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.
Congressional Summary of S 2645
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).