Bill > S3534

This bill, the Tracking Pathogens Act, aims to strengthen and expand activities related to genomic sequencing of pathogens. The key provisions include: 1. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue guidance to support collaboration on genomic sequencing of pathogens, including the sharing of specimens and sequence data in a way that protects personal privacy. 2. The bill establishes a "Genomic Sequencing, Analytics, and Public Health Surveillance of Pathogens Program" within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to continue and expand activities related to pathogen genomic sequencing, analytics, and surveillance. This includes providing technical assistance to state and local public health departments, enhancing the public health workforce's capabilities in pathogen genomics, and partnering with academic and other labs. 3. The bill authorizes the Secretary to award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to establish "Centers of Excellence" to promote innovation in pathogen genomics and molecular epidemiology, with the goal of improving the control of and response to pathogens that may cause public health emergencies. 4. The bill authorizes $175 million per year for fiscal years 2023 through 2027 to carry out these provisions.

Health and Social Services

https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/3534/all-info