[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 116 (Tuesday, June 17, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 34532]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-14173]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


National Preparedness and Response Science Board (previously 
known as the ``National Biodefense Science Board'') Call for Nominees

AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the 
Secretary.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The deadline for all application submissions to the National 
Preparedness and Response Science Board (NPRSB), previously known as 
the National Biodefense Science Board, is extended from June 15, 2014, 
to June 29, 2014, at 11:59 p.m.. The Office of the Secretary is 
accepting application submissions from qualified individuals who wish 
to be considered for membership on the NPRSB; seven members have 
membership expiration dates of December 31, 2014; therefore, seven new 
voting members will be selected for the Board. Nominees are being 
accepted in the following categories: Industry, academia, practicing 
health care, pediatrics, and organizations representing other 
appropriate stakeholders. Please visit the NPRSB Web site at 
www.phe.gov/nprsb for all application submission information and 
instructions. All members of the public are encouraged to apply.

DATES: The deadline for all application submissions is June 29, 2014, 
at 11:59 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please submit any inquiries to CAPT 
Charlotte Spires, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, Executive Director and Designated 
Federal Official, National Preparedness and Response Science Board, 
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services, Thomas P. O'Neill Federal 
Building, Room Number 14F18, 200 C St. SW., Washington, DC 20024; 
Office: 202-260-0627, Email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NPRSB is authorized under Section 319M 
of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-7f) as added by 
Section 402 of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act of 2006 
and amended by Section 404 of the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness 
Reauthorization Act and Section 222 of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. Sec.  
217a). The Board provides expert advice and guidance to the Secretary 
on scientific, technical, and other matters of special interest to the 
Department of Health and Human Services regarding current and future 
chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological agents, whether 
naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate. The Board also provides 
advice and guidance to the Secretary and/or the Assistant Secretary for 
Preparedness and Response (ASPR) on other matters related to public 
health emergency preparedness and response.
    Description of Duties: The Board shall advise the Secretary and/or 
ASPR on current and future trends, challenges, and opportunities 
presented by advances in biological and life sciences, biotechnology, 
and genetic engineering with respect to threats posed by naturally 
occurring infectious diseases and chemical, biological, radiological, 
and nuclear agents. At the request of the Secretary and/or ASPR, the 
Board shall review and consider any information and findings received 
from the working groups established under 42 U.S.C. 247d-7f(b). At the 
request of the Secretary and/or ASPR, the Board shall provide 
recommendations and findings for expanded, intensified, and coordinated 
biodefense research and development activities. The Board shall also 
provide any recommendation, finding, or report provided to the 
Secretary on these matters to the appropriate committees of Congress. 
Additional advisory duties concerning public health emergency 
preparedness and response may be assigned at the discretion of the 
Secretary and/or ASPR.
    Structure: The Board shall consist of 13 voting members, including 
the Chairperson; additionally, there may be non-voting ex officio 
members. Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 247d-7f(a), members and the Chairperson 
shall be appointed by the Secretary from among the nation's preeminent 
scientific, public health, and medical experts as follows: (a) Such 
federal officials as the Secretary determines are necessary to support 
the functions of the Board; (b) four individuals from the 
pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and device industries; (c) four 
individuals representing academia; and (d) five other members as 
determined appropriate by the Secretary, one of whom must be a 
practicing health care professional; one of whom shall be an individual 
from an organization representing health care consumers; one of whom 
shall be an individual with pediatric subject matter expertise; and one 
of whom shall be a state, tribal, territorial, or local public health 
official. Nothing in the membership requirements shall preclude a 
member of the Board from satisfying two or more of these requirements 
described in item (d). A member of the Board described in (b), (c), and 
(d) shall serve for a term of three years, and may serve not more than 
two consecutive terms.
    Members who are not full-time or permanent part-time federal 
employees shall be appointed by the Secretary as Special Government 
Employees.

    Dated: June 11, 2014.
Nicole Lurie,
Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.
[FR Doc. 2014-14173 Filed 6-16-14; 8:45 am]
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