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Bill107th CongressFiled Oct 23, 2001Crime and Law Enforcement
H.R. 3160

Bioterrorism Prevention Act of 2001

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary introduced in house (Oct 23, 2001)

Bioterrorism Prevention Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for: (1) possessing a "select agent" (as listed pursuant to the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996) in a manner constituting reckless disregard for the public health and safety, knowing the agent to be a biological agent or toxin; (2) causing bodily injury in the course of a violation; (3) possessing such agents without registration; (4) transferring such agents to an unregistered person; and (5) "restricted persons" possessing select agents.

Directs the Secretary to provide standards and procedures governing the possession and use of biological agents.

Prohibits certain disclosures under the Freedom of Information Act regarding biological agents..

What just happenedDec 20, 2001

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Tauzin, W. J. (Billy) [R-LA-3](R-LA)Sponsor
1 cosponsor1 D
Read on Congress.gov
1cosponsors3committees16actions50subjects
  1. Dec 20, 2001IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  2. Oct 24, 2001IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate.

  3. Oct 23, 2001FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  4. Oct 23, 2001FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 419 - 0 (Roll no. 396). (text of measure as passed House: CR H7139-7140)

  5. Oct 23, 2001Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 419 - 0 (Roll no. 396).(text of measure as passed House: CR H7139-7140)

  6. Oct 23, 2001FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7157-7158)

  7. Oct 23, 2001CommitteeH11000

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

    Health Subcommittee
  8. Oct 23, 2001FloorH37220

    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

  9. Oct 23, 2001FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3160.

  10. Oct 23, 2001FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7139-7143)

  11. Oct 23, 2001FloorH30300

    Mr. Tauzin moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  12. Oct 23, 2001IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Judiciary Committee
  13. Oct 23, 2001IntroReferralH11100-A

    Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  14. Oct 23, 2001IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  15. Oct 23, 2001IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  16. Oct 23, 2001IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Introduced in HouseOct 23, 200100
Bioterrorism Prevention Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for: (1) possessing a "select agent" (as listed pursuant to the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996) in a manner constituting reckless disregard for the public health and safety, knowing the agent to be a biological agent or toxin; (2) causing bodily injury in the course of a violation; (3) possessing such agents without registration; (4) transferring such agents to an unregistered person; and (5) "restricted persons" possessing select agents.

Directs the Secretary to provide standards and procedures governing the possession and use of biological agents.

Prohibits certain disclosures under the Freedom of Information Act regarding biological agents..

Passed House without amendmentOct 23, 200181
Bioterrorism Prevention Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for: (1) possessing, using, or exercising control over a "select agent" (i.e., a biological agent or toxin that is listed and not exempt under the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (AEDPA)) in a manner constituting reckless disregard for the public health and safety, knowing the agent to be a biological agent or toxin; (2) causing bodily injury to another in the course of a violation; (3) possessing such agents without registration; and (4) transferring such agents to an unregistered person.

Prohibits "restricted persons" (i.e., specified persons prohibited by the code from owning a handgun) from possessing, or taking specified actions with respect to, select agents. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to designate categories or individuals who may be admitted to the United States on non-immigrant visas to permit them to work with such agents.

Amends the AEDPA to direct the Secretary to: (1) provide by regulation for the establishment and enforcement of standards and procedures governing the possession and use of biological agents and toxins in order to protect the public health and safety, including safeguards to prevent access to such agents and toxins for use in domestic or international terrorism or for other criminal purposes; and (2) promulgate an interim final rule.

Prohibits the disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act of agency information that identifies a person, or the geographic location of a person, who is registered pursuant to such regulations, and any site-specific information relating to the type, quantity, or identity of a listed biological agent or toxin or the site-specific security mechanisms in place to protect such agents and toxins, except for disclosures for purposes of protecting public health and safety, or to congressional committees or subcommittees with appropriate jurisdiction upon request.

Establishes civil penalties of up to $250,000 in the case of an individual and $500,000 in the case of entities for violation of AEDPA regulations regarding transfers of listed biological agents.

Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on compliance with the existing and expanded regulatory regime for control of select agents, and to provide recommendations for administrative or legislative initiatives.