Responsibly Responding to Pandemics Act

I 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION H. R. 6288 To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to include a public health emergency in the definition of a major disaster, and for other purposes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MARCH 13, 2020 Mr. RICHMOND introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer- gency Assistance Act to include a public health emer- gency in the definition of a major disaster, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 3 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Responsibly Respond- 4 ing to Pandemics Act’’. 5 VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:21 Mar 28, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H6288.IH H6288 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HR 6288 IH SEC. 2. INCLUSION OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY IN 1 DEFINITION OF MAJOR DISASTER. 2 Section 102(2) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 3 Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122) 4 is amended by inserting ‘‘any public health emergency (in- 5 cluding any pandemic or virus threat),’’ after ‘‘drought),’’. 6 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:21 Mar 28, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\H6288.IH H6288 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS