2015 US Code
Title 42 - The Public Health and Welfare (Sections 1 - 18445)
Chapter 6A - Public Health Service (Sections 201 - 300mm-61)
Subchapter II - General Powers and Duties (Sections 241 - 280m)
Part B - Federal-State Cooperation (Sections 243 - 247d-9)
Sec. 247b-4f - Research relating to preterm labor and delivery and the care, treatment, and outcomes of preterm and low birthweight infants

The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may, subject to the availability of appropriations—

(A) conduct epidemiological studies on the clinical, biological, social, environmental, genetic, and behavioral factors relating to prematurity, as appropriate;

(B) conduct activities to improve national data to facilitate tracking the burden of preterm birth; and

(C) continue efforts to prevent preterm birth, including late preterm birth, through the identification of opportunities for prevention and the assessment of the impact of such efforts.

Not later than 2 years after November 27, 2013, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress reports concerning the progress and any results of studies conducted under paragraph (1).

The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall establish systems for the collection of maternal-infant clinical and biomedical information, including electronic health records, electronic databases, and biobanks, to link with the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) and other epidemiological studies of prematurity in order to track pregnancy outcomes and prevent preterm birth.

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out paragraph (1) $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011.

The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall review existing tools and measures to ensure that such tools and measures include information related to the known risk factors of low birth weight and preterm birth.

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, except for subsection (c), $1,880,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.

(Pub. L. 109–450, §3, Dec. 22, 2006, 120 Stat. 3341; Pub. L. 113–55, title I, §102, Nov. 27, 2013, 127 Stat. 641.)

Section is comprised of section 3 of Pub. L. 109–450. Subsec. (a) of section 3 of Pub. L. 109–450 amended section 241 of this title.

Section was enacted as part of the Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early Act or the PREEMIE Act, and not as part of the Public Health Service Act which comprises this chapter.

2013—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 113–55, §102(a), added subsec. (b) and struck out former subsec. (b) which related to studies and reports on the relationship between prematurity and birth defects.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 113–55, §102(b), substituted "$1,880,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018." for "$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011."

Pub. L. 113–55, title I, §104(b), Nov. 27, 2013, 127 Stat. 643, provided that:

"(1) Establishment.—The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section [enacting this note and repealing section 247b–4g of this title] as the 'Secretary') may establish an advisory committee known as the 'Advisory Committee on Infant Mortality' (referred to in this section as the 'Advisory Committee').

"(2) Duties.—The Advisory Committee shall provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary concerning the following activities:

"(A) Programs of the Department of Health and Human Services that are directed at reducing infant mortality and improving the health status of pregnant women and infants.

"(B) Strategies to coordinate the various Federal programs and activities with State, local, and private programs and efforts that address factors that affect infant mortality.

"(C) Implementation of the Healthy Start program under section 330H of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254c–8) and Healthy People 2020 infant mortality objectives.

"(D) Strategies to reduce preterm birth rates through research, programs, and education.

"(3) Plan for hhs preterm birth activities.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section [Nov. 27, 2013], the Advisory Committee (or an advisory committee in existence as of the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 27, 2013] and designated by the Secretary) shall develop a plan for conducting and supporting research, education, and programs on preterm birth through the Department of Health and Human Services and shall periodically review and revise the plan, as appropriate. The plan shall—

"(A) examine research and educational activities that receive Federal funding in order to enable the plan to provide informed recommendations to reduce preterm birth and address racial and ethnic disparities in preterm birth rates;

"(B) identify research gaps and opportunities to implement evidence-based strategies to reduce preterm birth rates among the programs and activities of the Department of Health and Human Services regarding preterm birth, including opportunities to minimize duplication; and

"(C) reflect input from a broad range of scientists, patients, and advocacy groups, as appropriate.

"(4) Membership.—The Secretary shall ensure that the membership of the Advisory Committee includes the following:

"(A) Representatives provided for in the original charter of the Advisory Committee.

"(B) A representative of the National Center for Health Statistics."

Pub. L. 109–450, §2, Dec. 22, 2006, 120 Stat. 3341, provided that: "It is the purpose of this Act [enacting this section and sections 247b–4g and 280g–5 of this title and amending sections 241 and 280g–4 of this title] to—

"(1) reduce rates of preterm labor and delivery;

"(2) work toward an evidence-based standard of care for pregnant women at risk of preterm labor or other serious complications, and for infants born preterm and at a low birthweight; and

"(3) reduce infant mortality and disabilities caused by prematurity."