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S. 1798

BillFederalSenateFloor Consideration
To establish a Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office and an Office of Health Security in the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Introduced
Latest Action · December 11, 2023
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 268.
Congress
118th (2023–2025)
Introduced
June 1, 2023
Cosponsors (1)
0D 1R
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Summary

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This bill formally restructures how the Department of Homeland Security handles two major mission areas by establishing permanent statutory offices for each. It creates the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, clarifying its role in coordinating efforts across federal, state, local, and tribal partners to detect and prevent chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats, while requiring the department to develop strategic plans, conduct a biodefense review, and set up an advisory council of outside experts within 180 days of enactment. It also establishes an Office of Health Security led by a Chief Medical Officer, who must be a licensed physician appointed by the President, to oversee all medical activities, direct patient care standards, workforce mental health programs, and medical records policy across the department. The legislation affects DHS employees, particularly those in law enforcement and emergency response roles who use psychological health programs, as well as state, local, and tribal governments that partner with DHS on WMD detection and biodefense. It sets multiple reporting deadlines, including a departmentwide strategy within 180 days, a biodefense strategy within one year of a required review, and periodic updates every four to five years thereafter. The bill also adds new confidentiality protections for medical quality assurance records created within DHS, shielding them from disclosure in most legal proceedings while allowing exceptions for oversight, licensing, and law enforcement purposes, with penalties up to $20,000 for willful violations.

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