§247d–7g National Biodefense Science Board and Working Groups

Summary

Create the National Biodefense Science Board to give the Secretary of Health and Human Services expert advice on science and public health threats from chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological agents, whether natural, accidental, or deliberate. The Board will include needed federal officials, four people from pharmaceutical/biotech/device companies, four academics, and five other members chosen by the Secretary (including a practicing clinician, a consumer-organization representative, a pediatric expert, and a state/tribal/territorial/local public health official). Non-federal members serve 3-year terms, can serve up to 3 terms but no more than 2 in a row, and the Secretary picks the chair. The Board must meet at least twice a year, can hold hearings, collect testimony, and give advice on trends, research priorities, and coordinated biodefense R&D. It will review work from any working groups when asked and send its reports to Congress. The Secretary may set up or use expert working groups to find promising countermeasure research, identify and speed development of animal models and research tools, and advise on studies for children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups. The Board must hold its first meeting no later than one year after December 19, 2006. Congress authorized $1,000,000 for each fiscal year starting in 2007 to run the Board. Federal employees on the Board get no extra pay; outside members may be paid up to the daily equivalent of Executive Schedule level IV and receive travel expenses.