National biodefense strategy
Strategy and implementation plan required
Elements
The strategy and associated implementation plan required under subsection (a) shall include each of the following:
An inventory and assessment of all existing strategies, plans, policies, laws, and interagency agreements related to biodefense, including prevention, deterrence, preparedness, detection, response, attribution, recovery, and mitigation.
A description of the biological threats, including biological warfare, bioterrorism, naturally occurring infectious diseases, and accidental exposures.
A description of the current programs, efforts, or activities of the United States Government with respect to preventing the acquisition, proliferation, and use of a biological weapon, preventing an accidental or naturally occurring biological outbreak, and mitigating the effects of a biological epidemic.
A description of the roles and responsibilities of the Executive Agencies, including internal and external coordination procedures, in identifying and sharing information related to, warning of, and protection against, acts of terrorism using biological agents and weapons and accidental or naturally occurring biological outbreaks.
An articulation of related or required interagency capabilities and whole-of-Government activities required to support the national biodefense strategy.
Recommendations for strengthening and improving the current biodefense capabilities, authorities, and command structures of the United States Government.
Recommendations for improving and formalizing interagency coordination and support mechanisms with respect to providing a robust national biodefense.
Any other matters the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Secretary of Agriculture determine necessary.
Submittal to Congress
Briefings
GAO Review
Appropriate congressional committees defined
In this section, the term “appropriate congressional committees” means the following:
The congressional defense committees.
The Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.
The Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate.
The Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate.
Source
(Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title X, § 1086,Notes
Editorial Notes
Codification
Amendments
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Enhancement of International Biodefense Capacity
Clarification of Roles and Responsibilities.—
The Secretary of Defense shall direct the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Deterrence, Chemical and Biological Defense Programs, in consultation with the Director of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, to seek to enter into memoranda of understanding with other departments and agencies of the Federal Government to clarify the roles and responsibilities of those departments and agencies for building biodefense capabilities internationally in execution of national security and other policies of the Federal Government, with the Secretary focused on working with defense counterparts in countries that are allies or partners of the United States.
Elements of Memoranda of Understanding.—
The memoranda of understanding entered into under subsection (a) shall address how each relevant department or agency selects partner countries and the feasibility of coordinating efforts with each such country.”