PUBLIC LAW 107-188-JUNE 12, 2002 116 STAT. 597 for carrying out health-related activities to prepare for and respond effectively to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies, including the preparation of a plan under this section. The Secretary shall periodically thereafter review and, as appropriate, revise the plan. "(2) NATIONAL APPROACH.—In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall collaborate with the States toward the goal of ensuring that the activities of the Secretary regarding bioterrorism and other public health emergencies are coordinated with activities of the States, including local governments. "(3) EVALUATION OF PROGRESS. —The plan under paragraph (1) shall provide for specific benchmarks and outcome measures for evaluating the progress of the Secretary and the States, including local governments, with respect to the plan under paragraph (1), including progress toward achieving the goals specified in subsection (b). "(b) PREPAREDNESS GOALS.—The plan under subsection (a) should include provisions in furthersmce of the following: "(1) Providing effective assistance to State and local governments in the event of bioterrorism or other public health emergency. "(2) Ensuring that State and local governments have appropriate capacity to detect and respond effectively to such emergencies, including capacities for the following: "(A) Effective public health surveillance and reporting mechanisms at the State and local levels. "(B) Appropriate laboratory readiness. "(C) Properly trained and equipped emergency response, public health, and medical personnel. "(D) Health and safety protection of workers responding to such an emergency. "(E) Public health agencies that are prepared to coordinate health services (including mental health services) during and after such emergencies. "(F) Participation in communications networks that can effectively disseminate relevant information in a timely and secure manner to appropriate public and private entities and to the public. "(3) Developing and meiintaining medical countermeasures (such as drugs, vaccines and other biological products, medical devices, and other supplies) against biological agents and toxins that may be involved in such emergencies. "(4) Ensuring coordination and minimizing duplication of Federal, State, and local planning, preparedness, and response activities, including during the investigation of a suspicious disease outbreak or other potential public health emergency. "(5) Enhancing the readiness of hospitals and other health care facilities to respond effectively to such emergencies. "(c) REPORTS TO CONGRESS. — "(1) IN GENERAL. —Not later than one year after the date Deadline, of the enactment of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, and biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, a report concerning progress with respect to the plan under
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