Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities Prevention Act of 2003
Latest action (3 Dec 2003): Became Public Law No: 108-154.
What this bill does
**Summary of S. 286 — Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities Prevention Act of 2003**
This bill renews and updates the Birth Defects Prevention Act of 1998. It revises the mission of the CDC's National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities to include research on disabilities and health more broadly, prevention of secondary health conditions among people with disabilities, and a new National Spina Bifida Program. It reorganizes reporting requirements for the Center, requires that certain birth-defects data and conference recommendations be included in its reports, transfers an existing CDC advisory committee to advise the Center, and authorizes "such sums as necessary" for fiscal years 2003–2007 to fund it. The bill also makes technical corrections to funding-allotment formulas for State Councils on Developmental Disabilities, effective for fiscal year 2004.
The changes primarily affect federal public health agencies (CDC, HHS, Department of Education), state disability councils, and researchers, clinicians, and families involved with birth defects and developmental disabilities, including autism and spina bifida. It also requires HHS and Education to jointly report to Congress within 18 months on autism/developmental-disability surveillance methods, data sources, and privacy protections under FERPA.
Sponsored by Sen. Christopher Bond, the bill was introduced February 4, 2003, passed both chambers, and was signed into law by the President on December 3, 2003. No further legislative action is required; implementation now rests with HHS, CDC, and the Department of Education.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported in the Senate on November 6, 2003. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities Prevention Act of 2003 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Public Health Service Act concerning the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (Center) to add "disabilities and health" to categories of data which the Secretary of Health and Human Services is directed to collect, analyze, and make available. Requires the Secretary to conduct research on and promote the prevention of birth defects and disabilities and to support a National Spina Bifida Program to prevent and reduce suffering from the nation's most common permanently disabling birth defect.
Modifies Center reporting requirements, including requiring such report to contain information on: (1) individuals living with birth defects and disabilities or developmental disabilities, and recommendations for improving the health and quality of life of such individuals; and (2) recommendations from all birth defects research conferences sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including conferences related to spina bifida.
Requires that the members of the advisory committee appointed by the Director of the National Center for Environmental Health that have expertise in birth defects, developmental disabilities, and disabilities and health be transferred to and advise the Center.
Authorizes appropriations through FY2007 for the Center.
(Sec. 3) Amends the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 to revise appropriation allotment provisions for State developmental disabilities councils.
(Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Education to jointly report on specified surveillance activities under the Children's Health Act of 2000 respecting autism and other developmental disabilities.
Timeline
3 Dec 2003
Became Public Law No: 108-154.
Common questions
- What does S. 286 do?
- **Summary of S. 286 — Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities Prevention Act of 2003** This bill renews and updates the Birth Defects Prevention Act of 1998. It revises the mission of the CDC's National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities to include research on disabilities and health more broadly, prevention of secondary health conditions among people with disabilities, and a new National Spina Bifida Program. It reorganizes reporting requirements for the Center, requires that certain birth-defects data and conference recommendations be included in its reports, transfers an existing CDC advisory committee to advise the Center, and authorizes "such sums as necessary" for fiscal years 2003–2007 to fund it. The bill also makes technical corrections to funding-allotment formulas for State Councils on Developmental Disabilities, effective for fiscal year 2004. The changes primarily affect federal public health agencies (CDC, HHS, Department of Education), state disability councils, and researchers, clinicians, and families involved with birth defects and developmental disabilities, including autism and spina bifida. It also requires HHS and Education to jointly report to Congress within 18 months on autism/developmental-disability surveillance methods, data sources, and privacy protections under FERPA. Sponsored by Sen. Christopher Bond, the bill was introduced February 4, 2003, passed both chambers, and was signed into law by the President on December 3, 2003. No further legislative action is required; implementation now rests with HHS, CDC, and the Department of Education.
- Has S. 286 become law?
- Yes. S. 286 has been enacted. Status last updated 3 Dec 2003.
- Who sponsored S. 286?
- S. 286 was sponsored by Sen. Bond, Christopher S. [R-MO] (R-MO), with 6 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 286?
- Became Public Law No: 108-154. (3 Dec 2003).
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More bills from Sen. Bond, Christopher S. [R-MO]
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