Bill > S4227

This bill, titled the "Preventing Illegal Laboratories and Protecting Public Health Act of 2026," mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, establish a program requiring entities that distribute "highly pathogenic agents"—which are defined as agents classified as "risk group 3" or higher in specific scientific guidelines, excluding those already regulated under other laws—to maintain detailed electronic logbooks of all sales, leases, loans, or other transfers of these agents. These logbooks must record information such as the agent's name, the purchaser's identification and intended use, the date and method of transfer, and a signature, with purchasers needing to present valid government-issued identification. The bill also requires the Secretary to develop and annually update a list of these highly pathogenic agents, consulting with various federal agencies and relevant scientific publications. Furthermore, it mandates that these logbooks be retained for at least three years, with specific restrictions on their disclosure to protect public health and national security, and exempts them from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. Separately, the bill directs the National Security Advisor to coordinate a strategic evaluation of high-containment laboratories—defined as facilities suitable for "biosafety level 3" or higher procedures—to assess their capacity, security, and associated risks, and to develop national standards for their operation, with a report to be submitted to Congress. This evaluation will also lead to the establishment of a Public Health Biosafety and Biosecurity Team to serve as a single point of contact for state and local agencies regarding laboratory biosafety and biosecurity issues, and a feasibility study for a database of high-containment laboratories.

Health and Social Services

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/4227/all-info