42 USC 284s - Tick-borne diseases

U.S Code last checked for updates: May 19, 2024

§ 284s.

Tick-borne diseases

(a)

In general

(b)

Reports

(c)

Tick-Borne Diseases Working Group

(1)

Establishment

(2)

Responsibilities

The working group shall—

(A)

not later than 2 years after December 13, 2016, develop or update a summary of—

(i)

ongoing tick-borne disease research, including research related to causes, prevention, treatment, surveillance, diagnosis, diagnostics, duration of illness, and intervention for individuals with tick-borne diseases;

(ii)

advances made pursuant to such research;

(iii)

Federal activities related to tick-borne diseases, including—

(I)

epidemiological activities related to tick-borne diseases; and

(II)

basic, clinical, and translational tick-borne disease research related to the pathogenesis, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of tick-borne diseases;

(iv)

gaps in tick-borne disease research described in clause (iii)(II);

(v)

the Working Group’s meetings required under paragraph (4); and

(vi)

the comments received by the Working Group;

(B)

make recommendations to the Secretary regarding any appropriate changes or improvements to such activities and research; and

(C)

solicit input from States, localities, and nongovernmental entities, including organizations representing patients, health care providers, researchers, and industry regarding scientific advances, research questions, surveillance activities, and emerging strains in species of pathogenic organisms.

(3)

Membership

The members of the working group shall represent a diversity of scientific disciplines and views and shall be composed of the following members:

(A)

Federal members

Seven Federal members, consisting of one or more representatives of each of the following:

(i)

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health.

(ii)

The Food and Drug Administration.

(iii)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

(iv)

The National Institutes of Health.

(v)

Such other agencies and offices of the Department of Health and Human Services as the Secretary determines appropriate.

(B)

Non–Federal public members

Seven non–Federal public members, consisting of representatives of the following categories:

(i)

Physicians and other medical providers with experience in diagnosing and treating tick-borne diseases.

(ii)

Scientists or researchers with expertise.

(iii)

Patients and their family members.

(iv)

Nonprofit organizations that advocate for patients with respect to tick-borne diseases.

(v)

Other individuals whose expertise is determined by the Secretary to be beneficial to the functioning of the Working Group.

(4)

Meetings

(5)

Reporting

Not later than 2 years after December 13, 2016, and every 2 years thereafter until termination of the Working Group pursuant to paragraph (7), the Working Group shall—

(A)

submit a report on its activities under paragraph (2)(A) and any recommendations under paragraph (2)(B) to the Secretary, the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate; and

(B)

make such report publicly available on the Internet website of the Department of Health and Human Services.

(6)

Applicability of FACA

(7)

Sunset

(Pub. L. 114–255, div. A, title II, § 2062, Dec. 13, 2016, 130 Stat. 1079.)

cite as: 42 USC 284s