Bill > H1945

This bill, titled "Promoting research and protecting public safety and environment," mandates the Department of Public Health (DPH) to establish two new programs: a Biological Agents Registry Program and a High Containment Biological Research Laboratory Health and Safety Program. The Biological Agents Registry Program will require individuals and entities (referred to as "persons") to report the possession and maintenance of specific biological agents and toxins, which are defined as microorganisms or infectious substances capable of causing harm to living organisms or the environment, including "Select Agents and Toxins" as defined by federal regulations. This registry will inform local health boards and be accessible to law enforcement and emergency management agencies for public safety purposes, with strict rules on information release to prevent unauthorized dissemination. The High Containment Biological Research Laboratory Health and Safety Program will set standards for the location, operation, and maintenance of high-containment laboratories, specifically those designated as Biosafety Level 3 (BSL3) or Biosafety Level 4 (BSL4), which are laboratories designed to handle highly infectious agents. This program will include stringent requirements for laboratory siting, construction plans, health and safety practices that must meet or exceed federal guidelines like the "Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories" (BMBL) publication, the establishment of Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs) with community representation, and prior departmental approval for research that could enhance the harmful consequences of biological agents. Facilities operating these high-containment labs will need permits, comprehensive medical surveillance and training plans, waste management and decontamination protocols, and robust emergency response plans, all subject to review and inspection by the DPH, with penalties for violations including potential closure of the facility. The bill also includes provisions to protect employees, researchers, and students from retaliation for reporting violations and allows municipalities to implement their own programs if they are deemed equally protective.