[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 62 (Thursday, April 2, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14993-14994]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-7425]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and 
Children

AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of Request for Nominations.

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SUMMARY: The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is 
requesting nominations to fill two (2) vacancies on the Advisory 
Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children. The 
Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary, HHS) is 
soliciting nominations for individuals with expertise either in ethics 
or infectious diseases.

    Authority: The Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in 
Newborns and Children (Committee) was established under section 1111 
of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, 42 U.S.C. 300b-10, as 
amended in the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2008 (Act). The 
Committee is governed by the provisions of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (FACA), as amended (5 U.S.C. App.), which sets forth 
standards for the formation and use of advisory committees.

DATE: The agency must receive nominations on or before May 18, 2009.

ADDRESSES: All nominations are to be submitted to Michele A. Lloyd-
Puryear, M.D., PhD, Designated Federal Official and Executive 
Secretary, Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and 
Children, at: Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and 
Services Administration, Room 18A-19, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers 
Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20857. Nominations will not be accepted by e-
mail or facsimile.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Alaina M. Harris, Genetic Services 
Branch, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, HRSA, at [email protected] or 
(301) 443-0721. A copy of the Committee Charter and list of the current 
membership can be obtained by contacting Ms. Harris or by accessing the 
Advisory Committee web site at http://www.hrsa.gov/heritabledisorderscommittee/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title XXVI of the Children's Health Act of 
2000, ``Screening for Heritable Disorders,'' enacted sections 1109, 
1110, and 1111 of the PHS Act. This Act established grant programs to 
improve the ability of States to provide newborn and child screening 
for heritable disorders (section 1109) and for evaluating the 
effectiveness of screening, counseling or health care services in 
reducing the morbidity and mortality caused by heritable disorders in 
newborns and children (section 1110).
    On April 24, 2008, this Act was reauthorized and programs and 
activities for sections 1109, 1110, and 1111 were expanded by the 
``Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2008'' which also added sections 
1112, 1113, 1114, 1115 and 1116. Section 1112 establishes a 
clearinghouse of newborn screening; section 1113 establishes a program 
for laboratory quality; section 1114 establishes an Interagency 
Coordinating Committee on Newborn and Child Screening (ICC); section 
1115 establishes a national contingency plan for newborn screening; and 
section 1116 establishes the Hunter Kelly newborn screening research 
program.
    The Secretary, HHS, was directed under section 1111 to establish an 
Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children 
(Committee). The Committee provides to the Secretary advice about 
aspects of newborn and childhood screening and technical information 
for the development of policies and priorities that will enhance the 
ability of the State and local health agencies to provide for newborn 
and child screening, counseling and health care services for newborns 
and children having or at risk for heritable disorders. The Committee 
also makes recommendations, gives advice, or provides information to 
the Secretary about the grant program established under section 1109 of 
the

[[Page 14994]]

Act. Activities carried out under sections 1112-1114 and 1116 are 
undertaken in consultation with the Committee.
    The individuals selected by the Secretary for appointment to the 
Committee will be invited to serve for up to 4 years. A member may be 
reappointed to serve up to an additional 4 years at the request of the 
Secretary. Members may serve after the expiration of their term until 
their successors have taken office, but no longer than 120 days. 
Members who are not Federal employees will receive a stipend for each 
day they are engaged in the performance of their duties as members of 
the Committee. Members shall receive per diem and travel expenses as 
authorized by section 5 U.S.C. 5703 for persons employed intermittently 
in Government service. Members who are officers or employees of the 
United States Government shall not receive compensation for service on 
the Committee. Nominees will be invited to serve beginning from 
September 30, 2009.
    To allow the Secretary to choose from a highly qualified list of 
potential candidates, more than one nomination is requested per open 
position. Nominations should be typewritten. The following information 
should be included in the package of material submitted for each 
individual being nominated for consideration: (1) A letter of 
nomination that clearly states the name and affiliation of the nominee, 
the basis for the nomination (i.e., specific attributes which qualify 
the nominee for service in this capacity), and a statement that the 
nominee is willing to serve as a member of the Committee and appears to 
have no conflict of interest that would preclude the Committee 
membership--potential candidates will be asked to provide detailed 
information concerning consultancies, research grants, or contracts to 
permit evaluation of possible sources of conflicts of interest; (2) the 
nominator's name, address, and daytime telephone number, and the home/
or work address, telephone number, and email address of the individual 
being nominated; and (3) a current copy of the nominee's curriculum 
vitae. Please submit nominations no later than May 18, 2009.
    The Department of Health and Human Services will ensure that the 
membership of the Committee reflects an equitable geographical and 
gender distribution, provided that the effectiveness of the Committee 
would not be impaired. Appointments shall be made without 
discrimination on the basis of age, ethnicity, gender, sexual 
orientation, and cultural, religious, or socioeconomic status.

    Dated: March 23, 2009.
Alexandra Huttinger,
Director, Division of Policy Review and Coordination.
 [FR Doc. E9-7425 Filed 4-1-09; 8:45 am]
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