S. 15: Project BioShield Act of 2004

108th Congress · introduced 2003-03-11 · Health · Latest: Became Public Law No: 108-276.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2003-03-11 · official record
Who proposed it: Sen. Gregg, Judd [R-NH] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: 2 recorded votes in our records. Latest: House roll call 376 (2004): On Passage, S15 (2004-07-14), Passed. See all
Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 108-276. (final step reached)
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Project BioShield Act of 2004

Plain summary

Project BioShield Act of 2003 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Public Health Service Act to declare that the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases shall be the lead institute for performing, administering, or supporting biomedical countermeasure research and development. Defines a biomedical countermeasure as a drug, biological product, or device that is used to treat, identify, or prevent harm from: (1) a biological, chemical, radiological, or nuclear agent that may cause a public health emergency affecting national security; or (2) a potentially harmful condition arising from the administering of a drug, biological product, or device in response to such an agent. Grants the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary): (1) expedited procurement authority regarding property or services for use in performing, administering, or supporting biomedical countermeasure research or development; (2) the authority to expedite peer review under this section as deemed necessary to obtain a likely contribution to the field of biomedical countermeasure research; and (3) the authority to secure the personal services of experts or consultants with relevant qualifications for the purpose of performing, administering, and supporting biomedical countermeasure research and development. Classifies a person carrying out a contract under this section, and an officer, employee, or governing board member of such person, to be deemed an employee of the Department of Health and Human Services for purposes of claims under specified law for money damages for personal injury, including death. (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, on an ongoing basis, to assess threats of use of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents and determine which threats pose a material risk of use against the United States population. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to assess the public health consequences of such potential uses and to determine the agents for which countermeasures are necessary to protect the public health. Authorizes the Secretary and the Secretary of Homeland Security to jointly submit to the President for approval proposals to call for needed countermeasures. Directs the Secretaries to inform persons who may respond to each approved call. Requires the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, to determine countermeasures appropriate for procurement and inclusion in the stockpile under the Public Health and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002. Directs the Secretary to annually determine and report to the President whether there is a significant commercial market for products identified as appropriate for procurement other than as biomedical countermeasures. Directs the Secretary to procure countermeasures that have been approved by the President. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 4) Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow the Secretary to declare a national emergency under specified conditions and authorize the release of a drug or device intended solely for use in an emergency. Directs the Secretary to impose requirements on the authorization to ensure that health care professionals administering the product and persons to whom the product is administered are fully informed about the benefits and risks involved and other alternatives. Requires the Secretary to periodically review an authorization under this Act, and authorizes the Secretary to revoke such an authorization if circumstances so warrant. Imposes civil monetary penalties for violation of this section. Allows the President, under specified circumstances in cases involving the Armed Forces, to waive the requirement that individuals be allowed to refuse administration of a countermeasure. Applies record keeping requirements under the Act to products authorized under this Act for use in emergencies. (Sec. 5) Amends Public Health Service Act provisions concerning the administration of smallpox countermeasures by health professionals, including to modify the definitions of covered countermeasure, covered person, and qualified person. (Sec. 6) Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress regarding this Act.

Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate with amendment(s)), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Project BioShield Act of 2004

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate with amendment(s))

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Gregg, Judd [R-NH] · 11 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: S. 15, Project BioShield Act of 2003 (2003-05-07); CBO cost estimate: S. 15, Project BioShield Act of 2003 (2003-05-07)

Cosponsors on this site

Recorded votes

Senate vote 99 (2004): On Passage of the Bill, S15 (2004-05-19): Bill Passed
House roll call 376 (2004): On Passage, S15 (2004-07-14): Passed

Words on this page, explained (3)

Appropriation: Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
Authorization: A law that creates or continues a government program and says what it may do, often with a suggested spending ceiling. An authorization alone does not provide money; a separate appropriation does.
Securities: Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate with amendment(s))
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-108s15.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/108/s>

Record fed-us-cong108-s15 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong108 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong108