Birth Defects Prevention Act of 1998
Latest action (21 Apr 1998): Became Public Law No: 105-168.
What this bill does
S. 419, the Birth Defects Prevention Act of 1998, revises federal programs on birth defects by amending Section 317C of the Public Health Service Act. It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to collect and analyze data on the causes, incidence, and prevalence of birth defects; operate regional centers for applied epidemiological research on prevention; and provide public information and education. Data collection must be broken down by gender and racial/ethnic group, and the CDC is required to establish a National Information Clearinghouse on Birth Defects. The Secretary may award grants and contracts to public and nonprofit entities to carry out these activities, and must submit a biennial report to relevant congressional committees on birth defect trends, prevention effectiveness, and program activities. Data collected remains subject to federal privacy laws.
The bill primarily affects federal health agencies, state health departments, researchers, and nonprofit organizations involved in birth defect surveillance and prevention, as well as families and infants affected by birth defects, particularly within populations the findings note face higher risks, such as Hispanic and African-American infants. It authorizes appropriations of $30 million for fiscal year 1999, $40 million for fiscal year 2000, and unspecified necessary amounts for fiscal years 2001 and 2002.
The bill was introduced by Senator Christopher Bond in March 1997, passed both chambers of Congress, and was signed into law by the President on April 21, 1998. No further legislative action is required.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Birth Defects Prevention Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to carry out programs to: (1) collect and analyze, and make available data on birth defects in a manner that facilitates compliance with this Act, including data on the causes of such defects and on the incidence and prevalence of such defects; (2) operate regional centers for the conduct of applied epidemiological research on the prevention of such defects; and (3) provide information and education to the public on the prevention of such defects. Requires the Secretary, in collecting, analyzing, and making available data on birth defects, to: (1) collect and analyze data by gender and by racial and ethnic group; (2) collect such data from birth and death certificates, hospital records, and such other sources as the Secretary determines to be appropriate; and (3) encourage States to establish or improve programs for the collection and analysis of epidemiological data on birth defects and to make the data available. Directs the Secretary to establish a National Information Clearinghouse on Birth Defects to collect and disseminate to health professionals and the public information on birth defects, including the prevention of such defects. Authorizes the Secretary, in carrying out programs regarding birth defects, to make grants to and enter into contracts with public and nonprofit private entities. Authorizes the Secretary, upon the request of a recipient of an award of a grant or contract, to provide supplies, equipment, and services for the purpose of aiding the recipient in carrying out the purposes for which the award is made and, for such purposes, to detail to the recipient any HHS officer or employee. Authorizes the Secretary to make an award of a grant or contract only if an application for the award is submitted to the Secretary and the application is in such form, is made in such manner, and contains such agreements, assurances, and information as the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out the purposes for which the award is to be made. Requires the Secretary to report biennially to the House Committee on Commerce and the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources regarding birth defects. Subjects the provisions of this Act to requirements of the Privacy Act. Applies all Federal laws relating to the privacy of information to data and information collected under this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
Timeline
21 Apr 1998
Became Public Law No: 105-168.
Common questions
- What does S. 419 do?
- S. 419, the Birth Defects Prevention Act of 1998, revises federal programs on birth defects by amending Section 317C of the Public Health Service Act. It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to collect and analyze data on the causes, incidence, and prevalence of birth defects; operate regional centers for applied epidemiological research on prevention; and provide public information and education. Data collection must be broken down by gender and racial/ethnic group, and the CDC is required to establish a National Information Clearinghouse on Birth Defects. The Secretary may award grants and contracts to public and nonprofit entities to carry out these activities, and must submit a biennial report to relevant congressional committees on birth defect trends, prevention effectiveness, and program activities. Data collected remains subject to federal privacy laws. The bill primarily affects federal health agencies, state health departments, researchers, and nonprofit organizations involved in birth defect surveillance and prevention, as well as families and infants affected by birth defects, particularly within populations the findings note face higher risks, such as Hispanic and African-American infants. It authorizes appropriations of $30 million for fiscal year 1999, $40 million for fiscal year 2000, and unspecified necessary amounts for fiscal years 2001 and 2002. The bill was introduced by Senator Christopher Bond in March 1997, passed both chambers of Congress, and was signed into law by the President on April 21, 1998. No further legislative action is required.
- Has S. 419 become law?
- Yes. S. 419 has been enacted. Status last updated 21 Apr 1998.
- Who sponsored S. 419?
- S. 419 was sponsored by Sen. Bond, Christopher S. [R-MO] (R-MO), with 34 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 419?
- Became Public Law No: 105-168. (21 Apr 1998).
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