116 STAT. 2024 PUBLIC LAW 107-287—NOV. 7, 2002 Public Law 107-287 107th Congress Nov. 7, 2002 [H.R. 3253] Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Preparedness Act of2002. 38 USC 101 note. An Act To amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance emergency preparedness of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the "Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Preparedness Act of 2002". SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF MEDICAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CENTERS AT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MED- ICAL CENTERS. (a) IN GENERAL.—(1) Subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
- § 7325. Medical emergency preparedness centers
"(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTERS. — (1) The Secretary shall establish four medical emergency preparedness centers in accordance with this section. Each such center shall be established at a Department medical center and shall be staffed by Department employees. "(2) The Under Secretary for Health shall be responsible for supervising the operation of the centers established under this section. The Under Secretary shall provide for ongoing evaluation of the centers and their compliance with the requirements of this section. "(3) The Under Secretary shall carry out the Under Secretary's functions under paragraph (2) in consultation with the Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs with responsibility for operations, preparedness, security, and law enforcement functions. "(b) MISSION.— The mission of the centers shall be as follows: "(1) To carry out research on, and to develop methods of detection, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of injuries, diseases, and illnesses arising from the use of chemical, biological, radiological, incendiary or other explosive weapons or devices posing threats to the public health and safety. "(2) To provide education, training, and advice to health care professionals, including health care professionals outside the Veterans Health Administration, through the National Disaster Medical System established pursuant to section 2811(b) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh-ll(b)) or through interagency agreements entered into by the Secretary for that purpose.
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