118 STAT. 862 PUBLIC LAW 108–276—JULY 21, 2004 delayed except for the authorities described in subpara graph (A)(i); and (E)(i) to determine whether and to what extent activi ties undertaken pursuant to the biomedical countermeasure research and development authorities established in this Act have enhanced the development of biomedical counter measures affecting national security; and (ii) to make recommendations to improve the ability of the Secretary to carry out these activities in the future. (2) ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS REGARDING DETERMINATION ON DEVELOPMENT OF BIOMEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES AFFECTING NATIONAL SECURITY.—In the report under paragraph (1), the determination under subparagraph (E) of such paragraph shall include— (A) the Comptroller General’s assessment of the cur rent availability of countermeasures to address threats identified by the Secretary of Homeland Security; (B) the Comptroller General’s assessment of the extent to which programs and activities under this Act will reduce any gap between the threat and the availability of counter measures to an acceptable level of risk; and (C)(i) the Comptroller General’s assessment of threats to national security that are posed by technology that will enable, during the 10 year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the development of antibiotic resistant, mutated, or bioengineered strains of biological agents; and (ii) recommendations on short term and long term governmental strategies for addressing such threats, including recommendations for Federal policies regarding research priorities, the development of countermeasures, and investments in technology. (3) REPORT.—A report providing the results of the study under paragraph (1) shall be submitted to the designated congressional committees not later than five years after the date of the enactment of this Act. (c) REPORT REGARDING BIOCONTAINMENT FACILITIES.—Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall jointly report to the designated congressional committees whether there is a lack of adequate large scale bio containment facilities necessary for the testing of security counter measures in accordance with Food and Drug Administration requirements. (d) DESIGNATED CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES.—For purposes of this section, the term ‘‘designated congressional committees’’ means the following committees of the Congress: (1) In the House of Representatives: the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Government Reform, and the Select Committee on Homeland Security (or any successor to the Select Com mittee). (2) In the Senate: the appropriate committees. SEC. 6. OUTREACH. The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall develop outreach measures to ensure to the extent practicable that diverse 42 USC 247d–6a note.
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