PUBLIC LAW 107-188—JUNE 12, 2002 116 STAT. 599 (2) STUDY REGARDING LOCAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE METHODS.— The Secretary shall conduct a study of effective methods for the provision of emergency response services through local governments (including through private response contractors and volunteers of such governments) in a consistent manner in response to acts of bioterrorism or other public health emergencies. Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 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 describing the findings of the study. SEC. 102. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS; NATIONAL DISASTER MEDICAL SYSTEM. (a) IN GENERAL.— Title XXVIII of the Public Health Service Act, as added by section 101 of this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following subtitle: "Subtitle B—Emergency Preparedness and Response Deadline. Reports. "SEC. 2811. COORDINATION OF PREPAREDNESS FOR AND RESPONSE TO BIOTERRORISM AND OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH EMER- GENCIES. "(a) ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS.— "(1) IN GENERAL.— T here is established within the Department of Health and Human Services the position of Assistant Secretary for Public Health Emergency Preparedness. The President shall appoint an individual to serve in such position. Such Assistant Secretary shall report to the Secretary. "(2) DUTIES.— Subject to the authority of the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary for Public Health Emergency Preparedness shall carry out the following duties with respect to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies: "(A) Coordinate on behalf of the Secretary— "(i) interagency interfaces between the Department of Health and Human Services (referred to in this paragraph as the 'Department') and other departments, agencies, and offices of the United States; and "(ii) interfaces between the Department and State and local entities with responsibility for emergency preparedness. "(B) Coordinate the operations of the National Disaster Medical System and any other emergency response activities within the Department of Health and Human Services that are related to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies. "(C) Coordinate the efforts of the Department to bolster State and local emergency preparedness for a bioterrorist attack or other public health emergency, and evaluate the progress of such entities in meeting the benchmarks and other outcome measures contained in the national plan and in ijneeting the core public health capabilities established pursuant to 319A. 42 USC 300hh-ll. Establishment. President.
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