42 USC 247d-7g - National Biodefense Science Board and working groups

U.S Code last checked for updates: May 06, 2024

§ 247d–7g.

National Biodefense Science Board and working groups

(a)

In general

(1)

Establishment and function

(2)

Membership

The membership of the Board shall be comprised of individuals who represent the Nation’s preeminent scientific, public health, and medical experts, as follows—

(A)

such Federal officials as the Secretary may determine are necessary to support the functions of the Board;

(B)

four individuals representing the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and device industries;

(C)

four individuals representing academia; and

(D)

five other members as determined appropriate by the Secretary, of whom—

(i)

one such member shall be a practicing healthcare professional;

(ii)

one such member shall be an individual from an organization representing healthcare consumers;

(iii)

one such member shall be an individual with pediatric subject matter expertise; and

(iv)

one such member shall be a State, tribal, territorial, or local public health official.

Nothing in this paragraph shall preclude a member of the Board from satisfying two or more of the requirements described in subparagraph (D).

(3)

Term of appointment

(4)

Consecutive appointments; maximum terms

(5)

Duties

The Board shall—

(A)

advise the Secretary on current and future trends, challenges, and opportunities presented by advances in biological and life sciences, biotechnology, and genetic engineering with respect to threats posed by naturally occurring infectious diseases and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents;

(B)

at the request of the Secretary, review and consider any information and findings received from the working groups established under subsection (b);

(C)

at the request of the Secretary, provide recommendations and findings for expanded, intensified, and coordinated biodefense research and development activities; and

(D)

provide any recommendation, finding, or report provided to the Secretary under this paragraph to the appropriate committees of Congress.

(6)

Meetings

(A)

Initial meeting

(B)

Subsequent meetings

(7)

Vacancies

(8)

Chairperson

(9)

Powers

(A)

Hearings

(B)

Postal services

(10)

Personnel

(A)

Employees of the Federal Government

(B)

Other members

(C)

Travel expenses

(D)

Detail of Government employees

(b)

Other working groups

The Secretary may establish a working group of experts, or may use an existing working group or advisory committee, to—

(1)

identify innovative research with the potential to be developed as a qualified countermeasure or a qualified pandemic or epidemic product;

(2)

identify accepted animal models for particular diseases and conditions associated with any biological, chemical, radiological, or nuclear agent, any toxin, or any potential pandemic infectious disease, and identify strategies to accelerate animal model and research tool development and validation; and

(3)

obtain advice regarding supporting and facilitating advanced research and development related to qualified countermeasures and qualified pandemic or epidemic products that are likely to be safe and effective with respect to children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable populations, and other issues regarding activities under this section that affect such populations.

(c)

Definitions

(d)

Authorization of appropriations

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 319M, as added Pub. L. 109–417, title IV, § 402, Dec. 19, 2006, 120 Stat. 2872; amended Pub. L. 113–5, title IV, § 404, Mar. 13, 2013, 127 Stat. 197.)

cite as: 42 USC 247d-7g