Health Security and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Act

Hozzl · 2024-04-17T23:45:22Z

Explore the details of House Bill 8610 Health Security and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Act currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Emergency Management. Stay informed on legislative developments.

4/17/2024, 11:45 PM

Summary of Bill HR 8610

Bill 117 HR 8610, also known as the Health Security and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Act, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to enhance the country's preparedness and response capabilities in the event of a health security threat or a weapons of mass destruction (WMD) attack.

The bill includes provisions to strengthen the coordination between federal, state, and local agencies in responding to health security threats and WMD incidents. It also aims to improve the country's ability to detect and prevent the spread of infectious diseases, such as pandemics, and to enhance the nation's ability to respond to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.

Additionally, the bill includes measures to enhance the country's public health infrastructure, including increasing funding for public health agencies and improving the availability of medical countermeasures. It also seeks to improve the coordination between the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, and other relevant agencies in responding to health security threats and WMD incidents. Overall, Bill 117 HR 8610 is focused on strengthening the country's ability to respond to health security threats and WMD incidents, and improving the coordination and preparedness of federal, state, and local agencies in addressing these challenges.

Congressional Summary of HR 8610

Health Security and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Act

This bill makes changes to the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) office of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and provides statutory authority for and expands DHS's Office of Health Security (OHS).

Specifically, the bill

establishes the new OHS to advise DHS on medical, public health, and workforce safety matters;
sets forth the responsibilities of the Chief Medical Officer and a Privacy Officer in OHS;
repeals the terminating date for the CWMD office and sets forth the responsibilities of that office, including efforts to counter chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats, as well as other emerging terrorism threats;
requires DHS to report to Congress regarding the Securing the Cities program (which seeks to reduce the risk of a successful deployment of radiological or nuclear weapons against major metropolitan areas in the United States);
establishes a CWMD Advisory Council; and
requires a biodefense review and issuance of a DHS biodefense strategy.

The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on efforts of the CWMD office to prioritize its programs and activities to safeguard against CBRN threats and on other activities of that office.

Read the Full Bill

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Current Status of Bill HR 8610

Bill HR 8610 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since July 29, 2022. Bill HR 8610 was introduced during Congress 117 and was introduced to the House on July 29, 2022. Bill HR 8610's most recent activity was Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 469. as of December 20, 2022

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 8610

Total Number of Sponsors

Democrat Sponsors

Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

Democrat Cosponsors

Republican Cosponsors

Unaffiliated Cosponsors

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 8610

Primary Policy Focus

Emergency Management

Potential Impact Areas

- Arms control and nonproliferation

- Chemical and biological weapons

- Congressional oversight

- Department of Homeland Security

- Emergency medical services and trauma care

- Emergency planning and evacuation

- Executive agency funding and structure

- Federal officials

- Federal-Indian relations

- Health personnel

- Intergovernmental relations

- Nuclear weapons

- State and local government operations

- Terrorism

- Urban and suburban affairs and development

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 8610

Health Security and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Act

To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the Office of Health Security, make technical corrections to the authorization of the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, establish a Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Advisory Committee, establish a departmental biodefense strategy, and for other purposes.