,i #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #fhjh ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,may #ab1 #bjbj,mr4 ,crow 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,panetta1 ,ms4 ,underwood1 ,ms4 ,sewell of ,alabama1 ,mr4 ,suozzi1 ,mrs4 ,hayes1 ,mr4 ,schneider1 ,ms4 ,norton1 ,mr4 ,meeks1 ,mr4 ,cox of ,california1 ,ms4 ,de,gette1 ,mr4 ,bishop of ,georgia1 ,mr4 ,cisneros1 ,mr4 ,hastings1 ,mr4 ,huffman1 ,mr4 ,phillips1 ,ms4 ,houlahan1 and ,ms4 ,judy ,chu of ,california7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce1 and in addition to the ,committees on ,transportation and ,infrastructure1 and the ,budget1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to provide for the establishment of a ,health ,force and a ,resilience ,force to respond to public health emergencies and meet public health needs4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,health ,force and ,resilience ,force ,act of #bjbj4 #b4 ,health ,force 7a7 ,purpose ,it is the purpose of the ,health ,force established under this section to recruit1 train1 and employ ,americans to respond to the ,,covid-#ai pandemic in their communities1 provide capacity for ongoing and future public health care needs1 and build skills for new workers to enter the public health and health care workforce4 7b7 ,establishment ,the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention through its ,state1 local1 territorial1 and tribal partners1 shall establish a ,health ,force 7referred to in this section as the ,force7 composed of community members dedicated to responding to public health emergencies as declared by the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services under section #cai of the ,public ,health ,service ,act1 including the ,,covid-#ai emergency1 and providing increased capacity to address ongoing and future public health needs4 7c7 ,organization and administration ,the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention shall-- 7#a7 award grants1 contracts1 or enter into cooperative agreements for the recruitment1 hiring1 managing1 administration1 and organization of the ,force to ,states1 localities1 territories1 ,indian ,tribes1 ,tribal organizations1 urban ,indian health organizations1 or health service providers to ,tribes2 and 7#b7 provide assistance for expenses incurred by ,states1 localities1 territories1 ,indian ,tribes1 ,tribal organizations1 urban ,indian health organizations1 or health service providers to ,tribes prior to the awarding of a grant1 contract1 or cooperative agreement under subparagraph 7,a7 to facilitate the implementation of the ,force1 including assistance for planning and recruitment activities1 as provided for in section #dbd of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eahi;b74 7d7 ,service 7#a7 ,minimum requirements 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,force shall be composed of eligible members selected pursuant to guidelines developed by the ,director in consultation with ,states1 localities1 territories1 ,indian ,tribes1 ,tribal organizations1 urban ,indian health organizations1 or health service providers to ,tribes funded entities4 ,at a minimum such guidelines shall ensure that a member of the ,force-- 7i7 is at least #ah years of age2 and 7ii7 has a high school diploma or equivalent or has successfully completed an employment literacy test4 7,b7 ,other eligible individuals 7i7 ,citizenship or immigration status ,an individual who is authorized to work in the ,united ,states1 including an individual with ,deferred ,action for ,childhood ,arrivals 7,,daca7 or ,temporary ,protected ,status 7,,tps7 under section #bdd of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #abed;a71 shall not be disqualified for appointment under this section as a member of the ,force because of citizenship or immigration status4 7ii7 ,bankruptcy ,an individual shall not be disqualified for appointment under this section as a member of the ,force because of the bankruptcy or poor credit rating of such individual determined to be the result of the coronavirus public health emergency4 7#b7 ,recruitment 7,a7 ,in general ,the guidelines developed under paragraph 7#a7 shall provide for ,force recruitment information to be distributed at the national level through all available channels and partnerships as practicable4 ,such guidelines shall also1 as practicable1 work with the ,corporation for ,national and ,community ,service to make graduating high school seniors aware of ,force employment opportunities while in their senior year1 and every #b years thereafter1 unless they opt out of receiving notifications or have joined the ,force4 ,as practicable1 ,federal and ,state ,departments of ,labor shall share information about ,force opportunities with those individuals applying for or receiving unemployment benefits4 7,b7 ,recruitment by ,state1 locality1 territory1 ,indian ,tribes1 ,tribal organizations1 urban ,indian health organizations1 or health service providers to ,tribes funded entities ,with respect to the employment of ,force members in ,states1 localities1 territories1 ,indian ,tribes1 ,tribal organizations1 urban ,indian health organizations1 or health service providers to ,tribes funded entities1 such areas and entities shall support extensive recruitment efforts for ,force personnel1 including efforts to recruit ,force members among focal communities as described in subsection 7g71 as well as low-income1 minority1 and historically marginalized populations4 7#c7 ,preference ,preference in the hiring of ,force members shall be given to individuals who are veterans1 unemployed or underemployed1 recently furloughed community-based nonprofit1 public health or health care professionals1 or from focal communities as described in subsection 7g74 7#d7 ,training 7,a7 ,contact tracing training ,the ,director shall continue to provide ,contact ,tracing ,guidance and ,resources1 including contact tracing training plan7s7 to address training requirements for ,force members to successfully conduct contact tracing activities under subsection 7e77#a74 ,states1 localities1 territories1 ,indian ,tribes1 ,tribal organizations1 urban ,indian health organizations1 or health service providers to ,tribes funded entities shall determine which ,force recruits will be provided with contact tracing training to meet ,state1 locality1 territory1 and ,tribal public health needs4 7,b7 ,additional training ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,director shall identify and1 as necessary1 develop additional evidence-informed training resource packages to provide ,force members the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct the full complement of activities described in subsections 7e7 and 7f74 ,states1 localities1 territories1 ,indian ,tribes1 ,tribal organizations1 urban ,indian health organizations1 or health service providers to ,tribes shall determine which ,force members will be provided with additional training to meet ,state1 locality1 territory1 and ,tribal public health needs4 7,c7 ,specialized training ,in organizing the ,force under this section1 the ,director may elect to establish divisions of ,force members who receive specialized comprehensive training1 including divisions of ,force members who have met ,state licensure requirements1 have prior relevant experience1 or have supervisory skills or demonstrated aptitude4 7,d7 ,training requirements ,the training programs under this subparagraph shall-- 7i7 be adaptable by ,state1 locality1 territorial1 ,indian ,tribe1 ,tribal organization1 urban ,indian health organization1 or health service providers to ,tribes funded entities to meet local needs2 7ii7 be implemented as quickly as possible by either or both of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention and funded entities1 based on local needs and abilities2 7iii7 be distance-based e,learning that can be accessed electronically1 including by using a smartphone1 with the goal of limiting opportunities for disease transmission while maximizing knowledge and skills acquisition and retention among ,force trainees2 7iv7 include refresher training at regular and frequent intervals as determined appropriate by the ,director and_/or funded entities2 7v7 incorporate training components on personal safety1 including staying safe around animals in the context of home visits1 use of personal protective equipment1 and health privacy and ethics2 and 7vi7 leverage existing training and certification programs approved by ,states1 territories1 tribal nations1 and community health worker certifying bodies4 7,e7 ,miscellaneous ,where determined necessary1 the ,director may-- 7i7 recommend training under this subparagraph that includes face-to-face interaction2 7ii7 collaborate with1 including through grants or cooperative agreements1 public universities1 including nursing1 medical1 and veterinary schools1 community colleges1 or other career and technical education institutes1 community health centers1 community health worker and community health representative training and certification programs1 and other community-based organizations1 ,federally recognized ,minority ,serving ,institutions1 as well as public health associations and ,state and local health departments1 to develop and implement training under this subparagraph1 particularly for skills that typically have licensure requirements2 and 7iii7 develop training and communications materials in multiple languages4 7,f7 ,timing ,the training provided under subparagraph 7,a7 shall be designed to be completed by ,force members within #ad days of the start of such training4 ,the training programs under subparagraph 7,b7 shall be made available where necessary to ensure that ,force members are fully trained as soon as possible after commencing such training4 7,g7 ,payment during training ,individuals shall be paid for each hour spent in training including refresher training4 7#e7 ,salary and benefits 7,a7 ,in general ,members of the ,force shall be paid directly by ,state1 locality1 territorial1 ,indian ,tribe1 ,tribal organization1 urban ,indian health organization1 or health service providers to ,tribes funded entities and sub-partners using funds provided by the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention under grants1 contracts1 or cooperative agreements under this section4 ,all ,force positions shall be salaried with health and retirement benefits1 including paid family leave4 ,payment of salaries and benefits shall be in accordance with prevailing wages4 7,b7 ,overtime pay ,the entire amount of overtime costs1 including payments related to backfilling personnel1 that are the direct result of time spent on the design1 development and conduct of ,force activities are allowable expenses under this section4 7#f7 ,placement ,to the extent feasible1 as determined by ,state1 locality1 territorial1 ,indian ,tribe1 ,tribal organization1 urban ,indian health organization1 or health service providers to ,tribes funded entities1 members of the ,force shall be recruited from and serve in their home communities4 ,force members may be physically co-located with local public health1 health care1 and community-based organizations1 including community health centers1 as determined appropriate by funded entities4 7#g7 ,supervisory structures ,members of the ,force shall receive ongoing supportive supervision from staff members of ,state1 locality1 territorial1 ,indian ,tribe1 ,tribal organization1 urban ,indian health organization1 or health service providers to ,tribes funded entities or their sub-partners1 as described in paragraph 7#i71 in accordance with the evidence-informed practices4 ,entities funded under this section may choose the most appropriate supervisory structure to use based on local needs1 and may promote ,force members into supervisory roles4 ,such supervision may be also be provided by ,disease ,intervention ,specialists4 ,funded entities may use funds award under grants1 contacts1 or cooperative agreements under this section to pay for such supervisory staff and structures4 7#h7 ,supplies and equipment ,members of the ,force and their supervisors shall receive all necessary supplies and equipment1 including personal protective equipment1 through ,state1 locality1 territorial1 ,indian ,tribe1 ,tribal organization1 urban ,indian health organization1 or health service providers to ,tribes funded entities1 which may use funds awarded under grants1 contracts1 or cooperative agreements under this section to pay for such supplies and equipment4 7#i7 ,subawards ,as authorized by the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 ,state1 locality1 territorial1 ,indian ,tribe1 ,tribal organization1 urban ,indian health organization1 or health service providers to ,tribes funded entities may make subawards to local partners1 including community health centers and other community-based and nonprofit organizations1 in order to facilitate ,force member recruitment1 management1 supervision1 management1 and retention as well as to facilitate ,force integration into existing public health1 health care1 and community-based services4 7#aj7 ,service in public health emergency ,a ,state1 locality1 territory1 ,indian ,tribe1 ,tribal organization1 urban ,indian health organization1 or health service providers to ,tribes receiving funding under a grant1 contract1 or cooperative agreement this section shall assign one or more ,force members to respond to a public health emergency in the area served by such entity4 ,such ,force members shall be under the supervision and management of the ,state1 locality1 territory1 ,indian ,tribe1 ,tribal organization1 urban ,indian health organization1 or health service providers to ,tribes involved4 7#aa7 ,service post emergency ,a ,state1 locality1 territory1 ,indian ,tribe1 ,tribal organization1 urban ,indian health organization1 or health service providers to ,tribes may retain ,force members to continue to work in the area served by the entity after a public health emergency has ended in order to-- 7,a7 prevent and respond to future public health emergencies2 and 7,b7 respond to ongoing and future public health and health care needs4 7#ab7 ,limitation ,a ,force member may not be assigned for international deployment on behalf of the ,health ,force4 7#ac7 ,funding ,all costs associated with the service and functions of ,force members under this section1 including salary and employment benefits as well as associated direct and indirect costs1 shall be paid by the ,federal ,government through grants1 contracts1 or cooperative agreements to ,states1 localities1 territories1 ,indian ,tribes1 ,tribal organizations1 urban ,indian health organizations1 or health service providers to ,tribes4 7e7 ,activities ,to respond to the ,,covid-#ai pandemic ,for the duration of the public health emergency declared by the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services under section #cai of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bdg;d7 on ,january #ca1 #bjbj1 with respect to ,,covid-#ai1 the ,force shall provide for the training and employment of ,force personnel to execute a testing1 contact tracing1 containment and mitigation strategy to combat the ,,covid-#ai pandemic1 these activities should align with ,state licensure requirements and evidence-informed practices1 including national standards developed and being developed by the ,national ,committee on ,quality ,assurance3 7#a7 ,providing contact tracing1 including the identification of cases of ,,covid-#ai and their contacts in a culturally competent1 multilingual manner4 7#b7 ,when available1 supporting the administration of diagnostic1 serologic1 or other ,,covid-#ai tests4 7#c7 ,providing support that addresses social1 economic1 behavioral and preventive health needs for individuals affected by ,,covid-#ai1 including those who are asked to voluntarily isolate or quarantine in their homes4 7f7 ,activities post-,emergency ,after the public health emergency declared by the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services under section #cai of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bdg;d7 on ,january #ca1 #bjbj1 with respect to ,,covid-#ai concludes1 the ,force shall provide for the training and employment of ,force personnel to prevent and respond to future public health emergencies and respond to ongoing and future public health and health care needs4 ,under this subsection1 ,force members shall carry out or assist with activities described in subsection 7e7 as well as any of the following activities1 where aligned with ,state licensure requirements3 7#a7 ,providing support services1 including but not limited to-- 7,a7 sharing public health messages with community members2 7,b7 helping community members address social1 economic1 behavioral health1 and preventive health needs using evidence-informed models and in accordance with standards1 including national community health worker standards being developed by the ,national ,center for ,quality ,assurance2 and 7,c7 providing community-based information to local and tribal health departments to inform and improve health programming for hard-to-reach communities4 7#b7 ,other activities determined appropriate by the ,director4 7#c7 ,other activities1 including response to localized public health emergencies1 as determined appropriate by ,state1 locality1 territory1 ,indian ,tribe1 ,tribal organization1 urban ,indian health organization1 or health service providers to ,tribes funding recipients and in accordance with grant and cooperative agreement scope and stipulations4 7g7 ,focal communities ,state1 locality1 territorial1 ,indian ,tribe1 ,tribal organization1 urban ,indian health organization1 or health service providers to ,tribes funded entities shall dedicate a substantial number of ,force members to addressing the needs of focal communities4 ,to be designated as a focal community1 a community shall at a minimum-- 7#a7 be in the bottom #ej percent of the ,united ,states in terms of infant mortality1 poverty1 or other measure1 as recommended by the ,national ,academies of ,sciences1 ,engineering1 and ,medicine and approved by the ,director2 7#b7 be identified as a most vulnerable community according to the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention's ,social ,vulnerability ,index2 or 7#c7 be designated as a ,health ,professional ,shortage ,area1 ,medically ,underserved ,area1 or ,medically ,underserved ,population4 7h7 ,coordination and collaboration 7#a7 ,facilitation 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,director shall facilitate coordination and collaboration between the ,force and other national public health service programs within and external to the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services1 including the ,public ,health ,service and ,medical ,reserve ,corps4 7,b7 ,advisory group ,not later than #f months after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,director shall convene a stakeholder advisory group comprised of the leadership3 of other national health service programs1 including but not limited to the ,public ,health ,service ,corps1 ,medical ,response ,corps1 and ,,fema ,,core2 other relevant ,federal offices and agencies1 including but not limited to the ,department of ,labor1 ,health ,resources and ,services ,administration1 ,health and ,human ,services ,office of the ,assistant ,secretary for ,preparedness and ,response1 and ,occupational ,health and ,safety ,administration2 and leaders representing ,state1 locality1 territorial1 ,indian ,tribe1 ,tribal organization1 urban ,indian health organization1 or health service providers to ,tribes funded entities4 ,such advisory group shall meet on a yearly basis to provide guidance for the programmatic success and longevity of the ,force4 7#b7 ,states1 localities1 territories1 ,indian ,tribes1 ,tribal organizations1 urban ,indian health organizations1 or health service providers to ,tribes collaboration 7,a7 ,in general ,states1 localities1 territories1 ,indian ,tribes1 ,tribal organizations1 urban ,indian health organizations1 or health service providers to tribes shall ensure coordination and1 as appropriate1 collaboration between the ,force and local public health1 and health care1 and community-based programs1 to ensure complementarity and further strengthen the local public health response4 7,b7 ,advisory group ,not later than #c months after the date of enactment of this ,act1 an entity that receives a grant1 contract1 or cooperative agreement under this section shall convene a stakeholder advisory group comprised of community leaders and other key stakeholders to meet on a regular1 recurring basis to provide guidance for the programmatic success and longevity of the ,force4 7,c7 ,state compacts ,in accordance with section #aae of the ,housing and ,community ,development ,act of #aigd 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ecae71 two or more ,states to enter into agreements or compacts1 for cooperative effort and mutual assistance in support of community development planning and programs carried out under this section as such programs pertain to interstate areas and to localities within such ,states1 and to establish such agencies1 joint or otherwise1 as such ,states determine appropriate for making such agreements and compacts effective4 7i7 ,monitoring ,the ,director shall develop a performance monitoring template for ,state1 locality1 territorial1 ,indian ,tribe1 ,tribal organization1 urban ,indian health organization1 or health service providers to ,tribes funded entities adaptation and use under this section4 ,such template shall at a minimum require the reporting of the number of ,force members hired1 the role hired into1 and the demographic characteristics of ,force members4 ,such data shall be shared by entities receiving grants1 contracts1 or cooperative agreements under this section to the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention on a regular1 recurring basis4 ,such data shall be made publicly available4 7j7 ,learning and adaptation ,the ,director shall develop a learning and evaluation component of the ,force to identify successful components of local activities conducted under this section that may be replicated1 to identify opportunities for continuing education and career advancement for ,force members1 and to evaluate the degree to which the ,force created a pathway to longer-term public health and health care careers among ,force members1 and to identify how the ,force impacted the health knowledge1 behaviors1 and outcomes of the community members served4 ,results of this learning shall be made publicly available4 7k7 ,reporting ,not later than #ahj days after the end of each fiscal year1 the ,director shall submit to the ,congress a report which shall contain-- 7#a7 a description of the progress made in accomplishing the objectives of ,force under this section2 7#b7 a summary of the use of funds under this section during the preceding fiscal year2 7#c7 a list of each recipient of a grant1 contract1 or cooperative agreement under this section and the amount of such grant1 contract1 or cooperative agreement1 as well as a brief summary of the projects funded by each such recipient1 the extent of financial participation by other public or private entities1 and the impact on employment and economic activity of such projects during the previous fiscal year2 and 7#d7 a description of the activities carried out under this section4 7l7 ,authorization of appropriations 7#a7 ,in general ,there is authorized to be appropriated1 and there is appropriated1 to carry out this section1 #ee1jjj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj and #bjba1 such amounts to remain available until expended4 7#b7 ,emergency ,the amounts appropriated under paragraph 7#a7 are designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section #d7;g7 of the ,statutory ,pay-,as-,you-,go ,act of #bjaj 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #icc7;g774 7#c7 ,designation in ,senate ,in the ,senate1 this section is designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section #daab7;a7 of ,h4 ,con4 ,res4 #ga 7#aaeth ,congress71 the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year #bjah4 #c4 ,resilience force 7a7 ,in general ,for the period of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbb1 the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency shall appoint1 administer1 and expedite the training of a #fb1jjj ,cadre of ,on-,call ,response_/,recovery ,employees1 under the ,response and ,recover ,directorate 7referred to in this section as a ,,core employee7 under the ,office of ,response and ,recovery1 above the level of such employees in fiscal year #bjai1 to address the coronavirus public health emergency and other disasters and public emergencies4 7b7 ,detail of ,,core employees ,a ,,core employee may be detailed1 through mutual agreement1 to any ,federal agency that is a participating agency in the ,white ,house ,coronavirus ,task ,force1 or to a ,state1 local1 or ,tribal government to fulfill an assignment for the ,task ,force1 including-- 7#a7 providing logistical support for the supply chain of medical equipment and other goods involved in ,,covid-#ai response efforts2 7#b7 supporting ,,covid-#ai testing and surveillance activities2 7#c7 providing nutritional assistance to vulnerable populations2 and 7#d7 carrying out other disaster preparedness and response functions for other emergencies and natural disasters4 7c7 ,requirement ,as soon as practicable1 the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency shall make public job announcements to fill the ,,core employee positions authorized under subsection 7a71 which shall prioritize hiring from among the following groups of individuals3 7#a7 ,unemployed veterans of the ,armed ,forces4 7#b7 ,individuals who have become unemployed or underemployed as a result of the coronavirus public health emergency4 7#c7 ,ameri,corps members1 ,peace ,corps ,volunteers1 or ,united ,states ,fulbright ,scholars who have had their service terms ended as a result of the coronavirus public health emergency4 7#d7 ,recent graduates of public health1 medical1 nursing1 social work or related health-services programs4 7#e7 ,members of communities who have experienced a disproportionately high number of ,,covid-#ai cases4 7d7 ,hiring ,the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency shall hire employees under this section1 pursuant to section #cjf of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eadi71 and make use of existing statutory authorities that permit regional offices and site managers to advertise for and hire such employees4 7e7 ,training ,the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency may make appropriate adjustments to the standard training course curriculum for employees under this section to include on-site trainings at ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency regional offices1 virtual trainings1 or trainings conducted by other ,federal1 ,state1 local or ,tribal agencies1 including training described in section #b7;d77#d74 7f7 ,clarification ,for the purposes of employing individuals under this section-- 7#a7 no individual who is authorized to work in the ,united ,states1 including individuals with ,deferred ,action for ,childhood ,arrivals 7,,daca7 or ,temporary ,protected ,status 7,,tps7 under section #bdd of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #abed;a71 shall be disqualified for appointment under this section because of citizenship or immigration status2 and 7#b7 no individual shall be disqualified for appointment under this section because of bankruptcy or a poor credit rating determined to be the result of the ,coronavirus public health emergency4 7g7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency1 #f1ejj1jjj1jjj1 for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbb1 not less than #a1ejj1jjj1jjj of which shall be made available each such fiscal year for the administrative costs associated with carrying out this section4