I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4161 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 1, 2009 Ms. Slaughter (for herself, Mrs. Capps, Mr. Ellison, Mr. Hinchey, Ms. McCollum, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Woolsey, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. McGovern, Mr. George Miller of California, Mr. Israel, Mr. Doggett, and Mr. Stark) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to develop multidisciplinary research centers regarding women’s health and disease prevention, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Women’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Act of 2009.

2.

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; awards for development and operation of multidisciplinary research Centers regarding women’s environmental health and disease prevention

Subpart 12 of part C of title IV of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 285l et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

463C.

Multidisciplinary research Centers regarding women’s environmental health and disease prevention

(a)

In general

The Director of the Institute shall make grants to public or nonprofit private entities for the development and operation of at least 1 and not more than 6 centers whose purpose is conducting multidisciplinary research on environmental factors that may be related to the development of women’s health conditions (as defined in section 486). The Director of the Institute shall carry out this section in consultation with the Director of the Office of Research on Women’s Health and with the advisory council for the Institute. (b)

Research, training, and information and education

(1)

In general

Each center under subsection (a) shall, with respect to the purpose described in such subsection— (A)conduct basic or clinical research; (B)develop protocols for training physicians, scientists, nurses, and other health and allied health professionals; (C)conduct training programs in accordance with such protocols; and (D)disseminate information to such professionals and the public. (2)

Emphasis on prevention activities

In carrying out the activities described in paragraph (1), each center under subsection (a) shall emphasize activities that are directed toward preventing the development in women of the diseases and conditions involved. (3)

Stipends for training of health professionals

A center under subsection (a) may use funds under such subsection to provide stipends for health and allied health professionals enrolled in programs described in paragraph (1)(C). (c)

Collaboration with community

Each center under subsection (a) shall establish and maintain ongoing collaborations with community organizations in the geographic area served by the center, including those that represent women or children with disorders that appear to stem from environmental factors. (d)

Coordination of centers; reports

The Director of the Institute shall, as appropriate, provide for the coordination of information among centers under subsection (a) and ensure regular communication between such centers. (e)

Structure of center

Each center assisted under subsection (a) may use the facilities of a single institution, or be formed from a consortium of cooperating institutions, meeting such requirements as may be prescribed by the Director of the Institute. (f)

Duration of support

Support of a center under subsection (a) may be for a period not exceeding 5 years. Such period may be extended for 1 or more additional periods not exceeding 5 years if the operations of such center have been reviewed by an appropriate technical and scientific peer review group established by the Director of the Institute and if such group has recommended to the Director that such period should be extended. (g)

Authorization of appropriations

For the purpose of carrying out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2010 through 2014.

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3.

Committee hearing on implementation

(a)

In general

The Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives shall hold a hearing on the implementation by the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of section 463C of the Public Health Service Act, as added by section 2 of this Act. (b)

Exercise of rulemaking authority

Subsection (a)— (1)is enacted as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the House of Representatives and, as such— (A)shall be considered as part of the rules of the House; and (B)shall supersede any other rule of the House only to the extent that rule is inconsistent therewith; and (2)is enacted with full recognition of the constitutional right of the House to change such rules (so far as relating to the procedure in the House) at any time, in the same manner, and to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of the House.