Authorizing Legislation: PHSA Improving State and Local Public Health Security

Attachment 1 – Authorizing Legislation

Section 319C-1 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 USC § 247d-3a)

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/247d-3a

42 U.S. Code § 247d–3a. Improving State and local public health security

1. In general

To enhance the security of the United States with respect to public health emergencies, the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall award cooperative agreements to eligible entities to enable such entities to conduct the activities described in subsection (d).

(k) Evaluation

(1) In general

Not later than 2 years after June 24, 2019, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the evidence-based benchmarks and objective standards required under subsection (g). Such evaluation shall be submitted to the congressional committees of jurisdiction together with the National Health Security Strategy under section 300hh–1 of this title, at such time as such strategy is submitted.

(2) Content The evaluation under this paragraph shall include—

(A) a review of evidence-based benchmarks and objective standards, and associated metrics and targets;

(B) a discussion of changes to any evidence-based benchmarks and objective standards, and the effect of such changes on the ability to track whether entities are meeting or making progress toward the goals under this section and, to the extent practicable, the applicable goals of the National Health Security Strategy under section 300hh–1 of this title;

(C) a description of amounts received by eligible entities described in subsection (b) and section 247d–3b(b) of this title, and amounts received by subrecipients and the effect of such funding on meeting evidence-based benchmarks and objective standards; and

(D) recommendations, as applicable and appropriate, to improve evidence-based benchmarks and objective standards to more accurately assess the ability of entities receiving awards under this section to better achieve the goals under this section and section 300hh–1 of this title.