This bill responds to the February 3, 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which released and burned toxic chemicals, by directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to fund a long-term study on the resulting human health effects. The Secretary would award a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement to a consortium of public or private colleges or universities with the expertise to conduct this research, giving preference to those with existing ties to affected communities in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The bill requires the Secretary to report to relevant congressional committees on the study's progress within two years of the award, and to submit a follow-up report on the findings and any planned federal response within one year after the results are published. It primarily affects residents of East Palestine and surrounding areas whose health may have been impacted by the disaster, as well as researchers and public health officials tracking long-term consequences. Funding is authorized as necessary for fiscal year 2025 and would remain available through September 30, 2029, allowing several years for the study to be completed.
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