Bill > S1701

This bill, known as the Strategic Teams for Organized Response Mobilization (STORM) Act, establishes a framework for using health care workforce platforms during national emergencies. The legislation allows the President to certify and enter into voluntary agreements with private technology platforms that can quickly mobilize independent contractor health care workers during emergency situations. These platforms must partner with credentialed healthcare professionals who can be deployed across state lines. To facilitate this, the bill provides a mechanism for coordinating state licensure waivers, allowing out-of-state healthcare workers to practice in emergency-affected areas, provided they hold a valid license in at least one state and meet certain qualification and background check requirements. The bill includes liability protections for these independent contractors and platforms, ensuring they are not held liable for injuries or damages sustained during emergency response efforts, except in cases of willful misconduct, gross negligence, or bad faith. Additionally, the President is required to submit annual reports to Congress detailing the use of these licensure waivers, including information on the number of workers deployed, deployment duration, and any challenges encountered. This legislation aims to create a more flexible and responsive healthcare workforce during national emergencies by leveraging private sector technology platforms.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1701/all-info