PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 12, 1996
Biological Agents Enhanced Penalties and Control Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to expand prohibitions with respect to biological weapons to include attempts, threats, and conspiracy to engage in the proscribed conduct. Authorizes the United States to obtain in a civil action an injunction against threats to engage in such conduct. Redefines: (1) "biological agent" to cover certain biological products that may be engineered as a result of biotechnology, or any naturally occurring or bioengineered component of any such microorganism, virus, infectious substance, or biological product; (2) "toxin" to include the toxic material of plants, animals, microorganisms, viruses, fungi, or infectious substances, or a recombinant molecule, including certain poisonous biological products that may be engineered as a result of biotechnology or other specified biological products; and (3) "vector" to include certain molecules, including recombinant molecules, or biological products that may be engineered as a result of biotechnology. Expands code provisions regarding the use of mass destruction weapons to include threats to use such weapons and to cover any biological agent, toxin, or vector. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish and maintain a list of each biological agent that has the potential to pose a severe threat to public health and safety. Sets forth criteria for inclusion in the list. Requires the Secretary to provide for: (1) the establishment and enforcement of safety procedures for the transfer of listed biological agents; (2) safeguards to prevent access to such agents for use in domestic or international terrorism or for other criminal purposes; (3) the establishment of procedures to protect the public safety in the event of a transfer or potential transfer of a biological agent in violation of established safety procedures or safeguards; and (4) appropriate availability of biological agents for research, education, and other legitimate purposes. Sets forth a timetable for the Secretary to issue interim, proposed, and final rules.
People & committees
Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT] · R–UT
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1862-1864)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze S.1606 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine S.1606 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine S.1606 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine S.1606 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.