PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 107-287.
Congressional Research Service
Version 17 · Reported to House with amendment(s) · May 16, 2002
Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Preparedness Research, Education, and Bio-Terrorism Prevention Act of 2002 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a least four medical emergency preparedness centers within Department medical centers to: (1) research and develop methods of detection, diagnosis, vaccination, protection, and treatment for chemical, biological, and radiological threats to the public health and safety; (2) provide education, training, and advice to health-care professionals; and (3) provide contingent rapid response laboratory assistance and other assistance to local health care authorities in a national emergency.Sets forth criteria for selecting center sites, including the development of arrangements for education and training with qualifying medical or public health schools, epidemiological graduate programs, and allied health personnel and students as well as the ability to attract the appropriate scientists.Authorizes appropriations for FY 2003 through 2007.Directs the Under Secretary for Health: (1) to allocate to such centers certain additional funds otherwise appropriated for veterans medical care and research; (2) to establish a peer review panel to assess center designation proposals; (3) together with the Assistant Secretary with responsibility for operations, preparedness, and security, to ensure that information produced by the activities of the centers is made available to U.S. health-care providers.Authorizes the Secretary to provide assistance requested by Federal, State, and local civil and criminal authorities in investigations and data analyses as necessary to protect the public safety and prevent or obviate such threats.(Sec. 3) Directs the Secretaries of Veterans Affairs and Defense to jointly develop and disseminate a series of model education and training programs on the medical responses to the consequences of terrorist activities. Bases such programs on programs established at the F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Requires such programs to provide training for health care professionals in the recognition of chemical, biological, and radiological agents, the identification of symptoms of such agents, emergency and followup treatment for exposure, potential long-term health consequences, and protection against contamination while providing care. Requires that different programs be designed for the needs of various health-care professionals.Establishes within the Department of Veterans Affairs the position of Assistant Secretary with responsibility for operations, preparedness, security, and law enforcement functions.
People & committees
Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] · R–NJ
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 107-287.
Became Public Law No: 107-287.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendments Agreed to without objection. (consideration: CR H7964-8009; text as House agreed to Senate amendments: CR H8006-8008)
Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendments Agreed to without objection.(consideration: CR H7964-8009; text as House agreed to Senate amendments: CR H8006-8008)
Mr. Armey asked unanimous consent that the House agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendments.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate concurred in House amendment with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S10473-10476)
Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate concurred in House amendment with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S10473-10476)
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate amendments.
House agreed to Senate amendments with amendment pursuant to H. Res. 526.
Resolving differences -- House actions: House agreed to Senate amendments with amendment pursuant to H. Res. 526.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S8025-8026)
Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2610-2611)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H2610-2611)
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2630)
ORDER OF PROCEDURE - Mr. Smith (NJ) asked unanimous consent that the order for the Yeas and Nays on the question of adoption of the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3253, as amended, be vacated to the end that the Chair put the question de novo. Agreed to without objection.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3253.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2610-2614)
Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 282.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 107-471.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 107-471.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2043-2044)
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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