What is the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 and how do I find a copy?
On June 12, 2002, President Bush signed the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness Response Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-188). The law is designed to improve the ability of the United States to prevent, prepare for, and respond to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies. Section 202(a) of the Law requires that all persons possessing biological agents or toxins deemed a threat to public health to notify the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Section 213(b) of Law requires all persons possessing biological agents or toxins deemed a threat to animal or plant health and to animal or plant products notify the Secretary, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Law also requires that both Secretaries be notified when a person possesses agents that appear on both the HHS and the USDA list of agents and toxins. These agents and toxins have been designated HHS/USDA overlap agents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has be
