§247b–4f Research Relating to Preterm Labor and Delivery and the Care, Treatment, and Outcomes of Preterm and Low Birthweight Infants

Codification Section is comprised of section 3 of Pub. L. 109–450. Subsec. (a) of section 3 of Pub. L. 109–450 amended section 241 of this title. Section was enacted as part of the Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early Act or the PREEMIE Act, and not as part of the Public Health Service Act which comprises this chapter.

2026—Pub. L. 119–75, § 6507(a)(2), made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 115–328, § 2. See 2018 Amendment notes below. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 119–75, § 6507(a)(1), substituted “fiscal years 2026 through 2030” for “fiscal years 2019 through 2023”. 2018—Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 115–328, § 2(1)(A), as amended by Pub. L. 119–75, § 6507(a)(2), substituted “factors relating to prematurity, such as clinical, biological, social, environmental, genetic, and behavioral factors, and other determinants that contribute to health disparities and are related” for “clinical, biological, social, environmental, genetic, and behavioral factors relating”. Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 115–328, § 2(1)(B), as amended by Pub. L. 119–75, § 6507(a)(2), substituted “regarding activities and studies conducted under paragraph (1), including any applicable analyses of preterm birth. Such report shall be posted on the Internet website of the Department of Health and Human Services.” for “concerning the progress and any results of studies conducted under paragraph (1)”. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 115–328, § 2(2), as amended by Pub. L. 119–75, § 6507(a)(2), added subsec. (c) and struck out former subsec. (c) which established a pregnancy risk assessment monitoring survey and authorized appropriations. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 115–328, § 2(3), as amended by Pub. L. 119–75, § 6507(a)(2), substituted “$2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023” for “except for subsection (c), $1,880,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018”. 2013—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 113–55, § 102(a), added subsec. (b) and struck out former subsec. (b) which related to studies and reports on the relationship between prematurity and birth defects. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 113–55, § 102(b), substituted “$1,880,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.” for “$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011.”

of 2025 Amendment Pub. L. 119–75, div. J, title V, § 6507(a)(2), Feb. 3, 2026, 140 Stat. 693, provided that the amendment made by section 6507(a)(2) is effective as if included in the enactment of Pub. L. 115–328. Advisory Committee on Infant Mortality Pub. L. 113–55, title I, § 104(b), Nov. 27, 2013, 127 Stat. 643, as amended by Pub. L. 115–328, § 4, Dec. 18, 2018, 132 Stat. 4473, provided that: “(1) Establishment.—The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section [enacting this note and repealing section 247b–4g of this title] as the ‘Secretary’) may establish an advisory committee known as the ‘Advisory Committee on Infant Mortality’ (referred to in this section as the ‘Advisory Committee’). “(2) Duties.—The Advisory Committee shall provide advice, recommendations, or information to the Secretary as may be necessary to improve activities and programs to reduce severe maternal morbidity, maternal mortality, infant mortality, and preterm birth, which may include recommendations, advice, or information related to the following:“(A) Programs of the Department of Health and Human Services that are directed at reducing infant mortality, preterm birth, and improving the health status of pregnant women and infants, and information on cost-effectiveness and outcomes of such programs. “(B) Strategies to coordinate the various Federal programs and activities with State, local, and private programs and efforts that address factors that affect infant mortality. “(C) The Healthy Start program under section 330H of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254c–8) and Healthy People 2020 infant mortality objectives. “(D) Implementation of Healthy People objectives related to maternal and infant health. “(E) Strategies to reduce racial, ethnic, geographic, and other health disparities in birth outcomes, including by increasing awareness of Federal programs related to appropriate access to, or information regarding, prenatal care to address risk factors for preterm labor and delivery. “(F) Strategies, including the implementation of such strategies, to address gaps in Federal research, programs, and education efforts related to the prevention of severe maternal morbidity, maternal mortality, infant mortality, and other adverse birth outcomes. “(3) Membership.—The Secretary shall ensure that the membership of the Advisory Committee includes the following:“(A) Representatives provided for in the original charter of the Advisory Committee. “(B) A representative of the National Center for Health Statistics. “(4) Biennial report.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2018 [Dec. 18, 2018], and every 2 years thereafter, the Advisory Committee shall—“(A) publish a report summarizing activities and recommendations of the Advisory Committee since the publication of the previous report; “(B) submit such report to the Secretary and the appropriate Committees of Congress; and “(C) post such report on the Internet website of the Department of Health and Human Services.” Purpose Pub. L. 109–450, § 2, Dec. 22, 2006, 120 Stat. 3341, provided that: “It is the purpose of this Act [enacting this section and section 247b–4g and 280g–5 of this title and amending section 241 and 280g–4 of this title] to— “(1) reduce rates of preterm labor and delivery; “(2) work toward an evidence-based standard of care for pregnant women at risk of preterm labor or other serious complications, and for infants born preterm and at a low birthweight; and “(3) reduce infant mortality and disabilities caused by prematurity.”