[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7029 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 7029

  To facilitate the re-opening of schools through study of children's 
        role in transmitting SARS-CoV-2, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 27, 2020

    Mr. Gonzalez of Ohio (for himself and Ms. Fudge) introduced the 
   following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 
                                Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To facilitate the re-opening of schools through study of children's 
        role in transmitting SARS-CoV-2, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Protect our Children from COVID-19 
Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) School closures have substantial negative effects on 
        children's education, mental health, and social development.
            (2) In general, school closures compound inequalities in 
        rural and low-income communities, where students often lack 
        access to computers and high-speed internet.
            (3) Returning children to the classroom will not only 
        facilitate their development, but also free up their adult 
        caregivers as they return to work.
            (4) To date, scientific evidence suggests children have a 
        lower probability of developing a serious illness from COVID-19 
        than adults. It remains unclear, however, what role children 
        play in transmitting SARS-CoV-2.
            (5) Pursuing research that analyzes and understands the 
        transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 in children will help families, 
        educators, and elected leaders make better decisions on re-
        opening schools and our economy.

SEC. 3. STUDY ON CHILDREN'S ROLE IN TRANSMITTING SARS-COV-2.

    (a) Study.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than August 1, 2020, the 
        Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section 
        referred to as the ``Secretary''), in coordination with the 
        heads of agencies of the Department of Health and Human 
        Services and experts from outside of the Department, as 
        appropriate, shall complete a study on children's role in 
        transmitting SARS-CoV-2.
            (2) Issues to be studied.--The study under paragraph (1) 
        shall address--
                    (A) the transmissibility of COVID-19 from child to 
                child, child to adult, and adult to child;
                    (B) the vulnerability of children, especially those 
                with underlying health conditions, to severe illness as 
                such vulnerability relates to COVID-19;
                    (C) the vulnerability of adults, especially those 
                with underlying health conditions, who send their 
                children back to school; and
                    (D) the vulnerability of adults, especially those 
                with underlying health conditions, who interact with 
                children who may be asymptomatic but infectious.
            (3) Considerations.--In carrying out the study under 
        paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
                    (A) take into consideration the best available 
                science, including as provided by the National Academy 
                of Sciences; and
                    (B) ensure that such study includes consideration 
                of children who are members of racial or ethnic 
                minority groups.
    (b) Reporting.--Not later than August 1, 2020, and quarterly 
thereafter through the end of the emergency period, the Secretary shall 
submit a report to the Congress on children's role in transmitting 
SARS-CoV-2. The first such report shall include the results of the 
study under subsection (a).
    (c) Dissemination of Best Practices.--Not later than August 1, 
2020, and quarterly thereafter through the end of the emergency period, 
the Secretary shall disseminate to stakeholders best practices for 
protecting children and adults in educational settings. The first best 
practices disseminated pursuant to the preceding sentence shall include 
any best practices for protecting children and adults in educational 
settings identified through the study under subsection (a).
    (d) Definition.--In this section, the term ``emergency period'' has 
the meaning given to such term in section 1135(g)(1)(B) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320b-5(g)(1)(B)).
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