Preventing Health Emergencies And Temperature-related Illness and Deaths Act of 2021 or the Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2021
This bill provides statutory authority for, and otherwise revises, the National Integrated Heat Health Information System to improve the capacity of the United States to prepare for, adapt to, and mitigate health risks of extreme heat. The bill tasks the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with administering the system. (Currently, the system is jointly administered by NOAA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
The bill also authorizes financial assistance for projects to increase awareness, education, and research about extreme heat events and prioritizes projects that serve historically disadvantaged communities and communities with the greatest risk or highest incidence of heat-related illnesses and deaths.
Additionally, NOAA must contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study relevant policy, research, and data gaps concerning extreme heat information and response.
The bill also establishes an interagency committee within the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a strategic plan and otherwise coordinate federal activities related to addressing health risks and impacts of heat.
Preventing Health Emergencies And Temperature-related Illness and Deaths Act of 2021 or the Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2021
This bill provides statutory authority for, and otherwise revises, the National Integrated Heat Health Information System Program to improve the capacity of the United States to prepare for, adapt to, and mitigate health risks of extreme heat. The Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) must carry out this program. (Currently, the program is jointly administered by NOAA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
Under the bill, the program may provide financial assistance for projects to increase awareness, education, and research about extreme heat events and mitigate the human health impacts of those events. In awarding the assistance, the program must prioritize historically disadvantaged communities and communities with significant heat disparities associated with race, ethnicity, or income. Other components of the program include grants for research on climate and health and a study of relevant policy, research, and data gaps concerning extreme heat information and response.
The bill also establishes an interagency committee within the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a strategic plan and otherwise coordinate federal activities related to the program.
Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.