,,ii #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #chbh ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,may #ba1 #bjbj,mr4 ,schatz 7for himself1 ,ms4 ,klobuchar1 ,mr4 ,whitehouse1 ,ms4 ,harris1 and ,mr4 ,booker7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to establish an initiative for national testing1 contact tracing1 and pandemic response1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,jobs to ,fight ,,covid-#ai ,act of #bjbj4 #b4 ,definitions ,except as otherwise explicitly provided1 in this ,act3 7#a7 ,,covid-#ai ,the term ,,covid-#ai means the novel coronavirus disease of #bjai 7,,covid-#ai74 7#b7 ,health professional shortage area ,the term health professional shortage area has the meaning given the term in section #ccb7;a7 of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bed;e7a774 7#c7 ,medically underserved populations ,the term medically underserved population has the meaning given the term in section #ccj7;b77#c7 of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bed;b7b77#c774 7#d7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,labor4 7#e7 ,state ,the term ,state refers to each of the #ej ,states and the ,district of ,columbia4 7#f7 ,territory ,the term territory means the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 ,american ,samoa1 ,guam1 the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands1 and the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands4 7#g7 ,tribal ,the term ,tribal1 with respect to a health department1 includes-- 7,a7 ,indian ,tribes that-- 7i7 are operating one or more health facilities pursuant to an agreement under the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecja et seq472 or 7ii7 receive services from a facility operated by the ,indian ,health ,services2 and 7,b7 ,tribal organizations and ,native ,hawaiian organizations1 as such terms are defined in section #aff of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cbba71 and urban ,indian organizations4 #c4 ,grants to support pandemic public works 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,in general ,except as otherwise provided in this section or section #b1 the terms in this section have the meanings given the terms in section #c of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cajb74 7#b7 ,apprenticeship2 apprenticeship program ,the term apprenticeship or apprenticeship program means an apprenticeship program registered under the ,act of ,august #af1 #aicg 7commonly known as the ,national ,apprenticeship ,act7 7#ej ,stat4 #ffd1 chapter #ffc2 #bi ,u4,s4,c4 #ej et seq471 including any requirement1 standard1 or rule promulgated under such ,act1 as such requirement1 standard1 or rule was in effect on ,december #cj1 #bjai4 7#c7 ,contact tracing and pandemic response positions ,the term contact tracing and pandemic response positions means employment related to-- 7,a7 contact tracing1 surveillance1 containment1 and mitigation activities needed to implement the national system under section #f2 7,b7 other activities necessary for pandemic response1 including cleaning and mitigation activities2 and 7,c7 activities necessary to respond to the economic impacts of ,,covid-#ai4 7#d7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means-- 7,a7 a ,state or territory2 7,b7 7i7 an ,indian ,tribe1 ,tribal organization1 ,alaska ,native entity1 or ,native ,hawaiian organization as such terms are defined in section #aff of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cbba72 or 7ii7 an ,indian-controlled organization serving ,indians as defined in such section #aff2 or 7,c7 a unit of local government1 if an entity described in subparagraph 7,a7 has not applied with respect to the area over which the unit has jurisdiction by the deadline required under subsection 7b77#b77;,b74 7#e7 ,eligible individual ,the term eligible individual means an individual seeking or securing employment in a contact tracing or pandemic response position and who is served by an eligible entity or community-based organization receiving funding under this section4 7#f7 ,unit of local government ,the term unit of local government means any city1 county1 township1 town1 borough1 parish1 village1 or other general purpose political subdivision of a ,state4 7b7 ,grants 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to the availability of appropriations under subsection 7l71 the ,secretary shall award a grant to each eligible entity that submits a complete application under subsection 7c71 to enable the eligible entity to-- 7,a7 as applicable1 support the recruitment1 placement1 and training of1 and provide employment to1 eligible individuals seeking employment in contact tracing and pandemic response positions2 and 7,b7 assist with the employment transition to new employment or education and training of individuals employed under this section in preparation for and upon termination of such employment4 7#b7 ,timeline 7,a7 ,deadline for ,secretary application requirements ,the ,secretary shall issue application requirements under subsection 7c7 not later than #aj days after the date of enactment of this ,act4 7,b7 ,state and ,tribal applications ,the deadline for applications from eligible entities described in subparagraph 7,a7 or 7,b7 of subsection 7a77#d7 shall be the date that is #cj days after the date the ,secretary issues application requirements under subparagraph 7,a74 7,c7 ,applications for local governments serving as eligible entities ,the deadline for applications for grants from eligible entities described in subsection 7a77#d77;,c7 shall be the date that is #aj days after the date that applications are due under subparagraph 7,b74 7,d7 ,grant awards ,the ,secretary shall award a grant to an eligible entity under paragraph 7#a7 not later than #ae days after the date on which applications are due under subparagraph 7,c74 7c7 ,grant application ,an eligible entity applying for a grant under this section shall submit an application to the ,secretary1 at such time and in such form and manner as the ,secretary may reasonably require1 which shall include a description of-- 7#a7 how the eligible entity will1 as applicable1 support the recruitment1 placement1 and training of1 and provide employment to1 of eligible individuals seeking employment in contact tracing and pandemic response positions2 7#b7 how the activities described in paragraph 7#a7 will support ,state efforts to address the demand for contact tracing and pandemic response positions with respect to-- 7,a7 the ,state plans referred to in the heading ,public ,health and ,social ,services ,emergency ,fund in title ,i of division ,b of the ,paycheck ,protection ,program and ,health ,care ,enhancement ,act 7,public ,law #aaf-aci72 and 7,b7 the number of eligible individuals that the ,state plans to recruit1 train1 and employ under the plans described in subparagraph 7,a72 7#c7 the specific strategies for recruiting1 placement1 and employment of eligible individuals from or residing within the communities in which they will work1 including-- 7,a7 plans for the recruitment of eligible individuals to serve in contact tracing or pandemic response positions1 including dislocated workers1 individuals with barriers to employment1 veterans1 new entrants in the workforce1 self-employed individuals who are unemployed as a result of ,,covid-#ai1 or underemployed or furloughed workers1 who are from or reside in or near the locality in which they will serve1 and who1 to the extent practicable-- 7i7 have experience or a background in industry sectors and occupations such as public health1 social services1 customer service1 case management1 or occupations that require related qualifications1 skills1 or competencies1 such as strong interpersonal and communication skills1 needed for contact tracing or pandemic response positions2 or 7ii7 seek to transition to public health and public health related occupations upon the conclusion of employment in contact tracing or pandemic response positions2 and 7,b7 how such strategies will take into account the diversity of such community1 including racial1 ethnic1 socioeconomic1 linguistic1 or geographic diversity2 7#d7 the amount1 timing1 and mechanisms for distribution of funds provided to local units of government or through subgrants as described in subsection 7d77#b77;,a7 or 7e72 7#e7 for eligible entities described in subparagraph 7,a7 or 7,b7 of subsection 7a77#d71 a description of how the eligible entity will ensure the equitable distribution of funds with respect to-- 7,a7 geography 7such as urban and rural distribution72 7,b7 medically underserved populations2 7,c7 health professional shortage areas2 and 7,d7 the racial and ethnic diversity of the area2 and 7#f7 for eligible entities described in subsection 7a77#d77;,c71 a description of how a grant to such eligible entity would serve the equitable distribution of funds as described in paragraph 7#e72 and 7#g7 how the eligible entity will collaborate with ,state boards and local boards1 the unemployment compensation system of the ,state1 and the employment service offices 7providing services under the ,wagner-,peyser ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #ej et seq477 of the ,state regarding the ,state reemployment services and eligibility assessment activities and the activities provided under this section4 7d7 ,grant distribution 7#a7 ,federal distribution 7,a7 ,use of funds ,the ,secretary shall use the funds appropriated to carry out this section as follows3 7i7 ,subject to clause 7ii71 the ,secretary shall distribute funds among eligible entities that submit a complete application under subsection 7c7 in accordance with a formula to be established by the ,secretary that-- 7,i7 provides a minimum level of funding to each eligible entity that submits a complete application2 and 7,,ii7 allocates additional funding as follows3 7aa7 ,the formula shall give first priority based on the number and proportion of contact tracing or pandemic response positions for which the eligible entity plans to recruit1 place1 train1 and employ individuals as a part of the ,state strategy described in subsection 7c77#b77;,a74 7bb7 ,the formula shall give second highest priority to applications that will serve ,states1 territories1 ,indian ,tribes1 or ,native ,hawaiian populations that have the highest unemployment rates1 as determined based on the most recent data available4 7cc7 ,the formula shall give third highest priority to applicants proposing to serve populations in one or more geographic regions with a high burden of ,,covid-#ai based on data provided by the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 or other sources as determined by the ,secretary4 7dd7 ,the formula shall give fourth highest priority to applicants preparing for1 or currently working to mitigate1 a ,,covid-#ai surge in a geographic region that does not yet have a high number of reported cases of ,,covid-#ai based on data provided by the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 or other sources as determined by the ,secretary4 7ee7 ,the formula shall give fifth highest priority to applicants proposing to serve high numbers of low-income and uninsured populations1 including medically underserved populations1 health professional shortage areas1 racial and ethnic minorities1 or geographically diverse areas1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7ii7 ,not more than #b percent of the funding for administration of the grants and for providing technical assistance to recipients of funds under this section4 7,b7 ,equitable distribution ,if the geographic region served by one or more eligible entities overlaps1 the ,secretary shall distribute funds among such entities in such a manner that ensures equitable distribution with respect to the factors under subsection 7c77#e74 7#b7 ,eligible entity use of funds ,an eligible entity described in subsection 7a77#d77;,a7-- 7,a7 shall1 not later than #cj days after the date on which the entity receives grant funds under this section1 use not less than #dj percent of grant funds to award subgrants to units of local government for the purpose of carrying out activities described in subsection 7f72 7,b7 may use not more than #e percent of such funds to make subgrants to community-based organizations in the service area to conduct outreach1 to potential eligible individuals1 as described in subsection 7e72 7,c7 in providing subgrants to units of local government under subparagraph 7,a7 and awarding subgrants under subsection 7e71 shall ensure the equitable distribution with respect to the factors described in subsection 7c77#e72 and 7,d7 may use not more than #aj percent of the funds awarded under this section for the administrative costs of carrying out the grant and for providing technical assistance to local units of government and community-based organizations4 7e7 ,outreach and education subgrant authorization and application process 7#a7 ,in general ,an eligible entity receiving a grant under this section may use a portion of such funds to award a subgrant to one or more community-based organizations for the purposes of partnering with an eligible entity to conduct outreach and education activities to inform potentially eligible individuals about employment opportunities in contact tracing or pandemic response positions4 7#b7 ,application ,a community-based organization desiring a subgrant under this subsection shall submit an application at such time and in such manner as the eligible entity may reasonably require1 including-- 7,a7 a demonstration of the community-based organization's established expertise and effectiveness in community outreach in the locality that such organization plans to serve2 7,b7 a demonstration of the community-based organization's expertise in providing employment or information to the locality in which such organization plans to serve2 and 7,c7 a description of the expertise of the community-based organization in utilizing culturally competent and multilingual strategies in the provision of services4 7f7 ,eligible activities ,an eligible entity receiving a grant1 or a unit of local government receiving a subgrant from an eligible entity1 under this section shall use such grant or subgrant funds-- 7#a7 to support the recruitment and placement of eligible individuals2 7#b7 to employ eligible individuals in contact training or pandemic response positions2 7#c7 to support the training and employment transition as related to contact tracing or pandemic response positions2 and 7#d7 for the following activities3 7,a7 ,establishing or expanding training partnerships with-- 7i7 community-based health providers1 including community health centers and rural health clinics2 7ii7 labor organizations or joint labor management organizations2 7iii7 #b-year and #d-year institutions of higher education 7as defined in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja771 including institutions eligible to receive funds under section #cga7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfgq7a772 and 7iv7 community action agencies or other community-based organizations serving localities in which there is a demand for contact tracing or pandemic response positions4 7,b7 ,providing training for contact tracing or pandemic response positions in coordination with ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 or territorial health departments that is consistent with the ,state or territorial testing and contact tracing strategy and ensuring that eligible individuals receive compensation while participating in such training4 7,c7 ,providing eligible individuals with-- 7i7 adequate and safe equipment1 environments1 and facilities for training and supervision1 as applicable2 7ii7 supplies and equipment needed by the program participants to support placement of an individual in contact tracing or pandemic response positions1 as applicable2 and 7iii7 services for the period during which the individual is employed in a contact tracing or pandemic response position to ensure job retention1 which may include-- 7,i7 supportive services throughout the term of employment2 or 7,,ii7 a continuation of skills training as related to employment in a contact tracing or pandemic response position1 that is conducted in collaboration with the employers of such participants4 7#e7 ,supporting the transition and placement in unsubsidized employment for eligible individuals serving in the contact tracing or pandemic response positions after such positions are no longer necessary in the ,state or locality1 which may include-- 7,a7 providing additional disaster relief employment and employment and training activities described in subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,c7 of section #agj7;d77#a7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cbbe7;d77#a77 and services described in section #g7;a77#a7 of the ,wagner-,peyser ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #di;f7a77#a772 7,b7 providing services to assist eligible individuals in maintaining employment for not less than #ab months after the completion of employment in contact tracing or pandemic response positions1 as appropriate2 and 7,c7 assisting eligible individuals in obtaining other employment directly with the eligible entity1 or with a unit of local government1 after serving in a contact tracing or pandemic response position supported under this section1 by paying for the costs of not more than #aj percent of the total compensation provided by the eligible entity or unit of local government to such eligible individual for a period of not more than the first year in which the individual is so employed1 if such employment is not otherwise subsidized under this or any other ,act4 7g7 ,requirements for transition back to unemployment compensation ,as a condition of an eligible entity that is a ,state receiving a grant under this section1 the ,state law 7as defined in section #bje of the ,federal-,state ,extended ,unemployment ,compensation ,act of #aigj 7#bf ,u4,s4,c4 #ccjd note77 of the ,state shall1 in the case of an individual who is receiving unemployment compensation under at the time the individual enrolls in a program funded under the grant1 provide for the following3 7#a7 ,such individual shall be eligible to resume receiving unemployment compensation after leaving such program if the individual is unemployed4 7#b7 ,the amount of the weekly benefit amount for such individual shall be the greater of-- 7,a7 the weekly benefit amount such individual was receiving when such individual entered the program2 or 7,b7 a weekly benefit amount that is determined based on such individual's earnings from employment under the program4 7h7 ,limitations 7#a7 ,extension of period for contact tracing or pandemic response positions ,a person may be employed in a contact tracing or pandemic response position using funds under this section for a period not greater than #b years4 7#b7 ,prohibition of displacement ,an individual placed in a contact tracing or pandemic response position under this section shall not displace 7including a partial displacement1 such as a reduction in the hours of nonovertime work1 wages1 or employment benefits7-- 7,a7 any employee of the eligible entity2 or 7,b7 any contractor1 or employee of any contractor1 of the eligible entity4 7i7 ,reporting by the ,department of ,labor 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #abj days of the enactment of this ,act1 and once grant funds have been expended under this section1 the ,secretary shall report to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,education and ,labor of the ,house of ,representatives1 and make publicly available1 a report containing a description of-- 7,a7 the number of eligible individuals recruited1 hired1 and trained for contact tracing or pandemic response positions under this section2 7,b7 the number of individuals successfully transitioned to unsubsidized employment or training at the completion of employment in contact tracing or pandemic response positions using funds under this ,act2 7,c7 the number of such individuals who were unemployed prior to being hired or trained as described in subparagraph 7,a72 7,d7 the performance of each program supported by funds under this ,act with respect to the indicators of performance under section #aaf of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cada71 as applicable2 7,e7 the number of individuals in unsubsidized employment within #f months and #a year1 respectively1 of the conclusion of employment in contact tracing or pandemic response positions1 the quarterly wages1 and number of hours worked per week1 of such individuals1 and1 of those individuals1 the number of individuals within a ,state1 territorial1 or local public health department in an occupation related to public health2 and 7,f7 any information on how eligible entities1 units of local government1 or community-based organizations that received funding under this section were able to support the goals of the national system for ,,covid-#ai testing1 contact tracing1 surveillance1 containment1 and mitigation established under section #f4 7#b7 ,disaggregation ,all data reported under paragraph 7#a7 shall be disaggregated by race1 ethnicity1 sex1 age1 and1 with respect to individuals with barriers to employment1 subpopulation of such individuals1 except for when the number of participants in a category is insufficient to yield statistically reliable information or when the results would reveal personally identifiable information about an individual participant4 7j7 ,special rule ,any funds used for programs under this section that are used to fund an apprenticeship or apprenticeship program shall only be used for1 or provided to1 an apprenticeship or apprenticeship program that meets the definition of such term in subsection 7a71 including any funds awarded for the purposes of grants1 contracts1 or cooperative agreements1 or the development1 implementation1 or administration1 of an apprenticeship or an apprenticeship program4 7k7 ,information sharing requirement for ,,hhs ,the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services1 acting through the ,director of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 shall provide the ,secretary of ,labor1 acting through the ,assistant ,secretary of the ,employment and ,training ,administration1 with information on grants under section #g1 including-- 7#a7 the formula used to award such grants to ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 and territorial health departments2 7#b7 the dollar amounts of and scope of the work funded under such grants2 7#c7 the geographic areas served by eligible entities that receive such grants2 and 7#d7 the number of individual to be hired in contact tracing or pandemic response positions using such grants4 7l7 ,authorization of appropriations ,of the amounts appropriated to carry out this ,act under section #i1 #ajj1jjj1jjj1jjj shall be used by the ,secretary to carry out subsections 7a7 through 7h74 #d4 ,service ,contract ,act application ,contracts and grants that include contact tracing or other pandemic response activities as part of the scope of work and that are awarded under this ,act shall require that individuals in contact tracing and pandemic response positions are paid not less than the prevailing wage and fringe rates required under chapter #fg of title #da1 ,united ,states ,code 7commonly known as the ,service ,contract ,act7 for the area in which the work is performed4 ,to the extent that a nonstandard wage determination is required to establish a prevailing wage for contact tracing or pandemic response positions for purposes of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,labor shall issue such determination not later than #ad days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 based on a job description used by the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention and contractors or grantees performing contact tracing or pandemic response activities for ,state public health agencies4 #e4 ,awareness campaigns 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services1 acting through the ,director of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention and in coordination with other offices and agencies1 as appropriate1 shall award competitive grants or contracts to one or more public entities to carry out multilingual and culturally appropriate awareness campaigns4 ,such campaigns shall-- 7#a7 be based on available scientific evidence2 7#b7 increase awareness and knowledge of ,,covid-#ai1 including countering stigma associated with ,,covid-#ai2 7#c7 improve information on the availability of ,,covid-#ai diagnostic testing2 7#d7 promote cooperation with contact tracing efforts2 and 7#e7 promote employment opportunities performing contact tracing and other pandemic response activities4 7b7 ,authorization of appropriations ,of the amounts appropriated to carry out this ,act under section #i1 #e1jjj1jjj1jjj shall be used by the ,secretary to carry out this section4 #f4 ,national system for ,,covid-#ai testing1 contact tracing1 surveillance1 containment1 and mitigation 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services1 acting through the ,director of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 and in coordination with the applicable offices of the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services and ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 and territorial health departments1 shall establish and implement a nationwide evidence-based system for-- 7#a7 testing1 contact tracing1 surveillance1 containment1 and mitigation with respect to ,,covid-#ai2 7#b7 offering guidance on voluntary isolation and quarantine of individuals infected with1 or exposed to individuals infected with1 the virus that causes ,,covid-#ai2 and 7#c7 public reporting on testing1 contact tracing1 surveillance1 and voluntary isolation and quarantine activities with respect to ,,covid-#ai4 7b7 ,coordination2 technical assistance ,in carrying out the national system under this section1 the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services shall-- 7#a7 coordinate ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 and territorial activities related to testing1 contact tracing1 surveillance1 containment1 and mitigation with respect to ,,covid-#ai1 as appropriate2 and 7#b7 provide technical assistance for such activities1 as appropriate4 7c7 ,consideration ,in establishing and implementing the national system under this section1 the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services shall take into consideration the ,state and ,tribal plans referred to in the heading ,public ,health and ,social ,services ,emergency ,fund in title ,i of division ,b of the ,paycheck ,protection ,program and ,health ,care ,enhancement ,act 7,public ,law #aaf-aci74 7d7 ,reporting ,the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services shall-- 7#a7 not later than ,december #ca1 #bjbj1 submit to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives a preliminary report on the effectiveness of the activities carried out pursuant to this ,act2 and 7#b7 not later than ,december #ba1 #bjba1 submit to such committees a final report on such effectiveness4 #g4 ,health department grants 7a7 ,definition of ,secretary ,in this section1 the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services4 7b7 ,grants authorized ,to implement the national system under section #f1 the ,secretary1 acting through the ,director of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 shall1 subject to the availability of appropriations1 award grants to ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 and territorial health departments that seek grants under this section to carry out coordinated testing1 contact tracing1 surveillance1 containment1 and mitigation with respect to ,,covid-#ai1 including-- 7#a7 diagnostic and surveillance testing and reporting2 7#b7 community-based contact tracing efforts2 and 7#c7 policies related to voluntary isolation and quarantine of individuals infected with1 or exposed to individuals infected with1 the virus that causes ,,covid-#ai4 7c7 ,flexibility ,the ,secretary shall ensure that-- 7#a7 the grants under subsection 7b7 provide flexibility for ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 and territorial health departments to modify1 establish1 or maintain evidence-based systems2 and 7#b7 local health departments receive funding from ,state health departments or directly from the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention to contribute to such systems1 as appropriate4 7d7 ,allocations 7#a7 ,formula ,the ,secretary1 acting through the ,director of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 shall allocate amounts made available pursuant to subsection 7b7 in accordance with a formula1 to be established by the ,secretary1 that-- 7,a7 provides a minimum level of funding to each ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 and territorial health department that seeks a grant under this section2 and 7,b7 allocates additional funding based on the following prioritization3 7i7 ,the ,secretary shall give highest priority to applicants proposing to serve populations in one or more geographic regions with a high burden of ,,covid-#ai based on data provided by the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 or other sources as determined by the ,secretary4 7ii7 ,the ,secretary shall give second highest priority to applicants preparing for1 or currently working to mitigate1 a ,,covid-#ai surge in a geographic region that does not yet have a high number of reported cases of ,,covid-#ai based on data provided by the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 or other sources as determined by the ,secretary4 7iii7 ,the ,secretary shall give third highest priority to applicants proposing to serve high numbers of low-income and uninsured populations1 including medically underserved populations1 health professional shortage areas1 racial and ethnic minorities1 or geographically diverse areas1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,notification ,not later than the date that is #g days before first awarding grants under this section1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives a notification detailing the formula established under paragraph 7#a7 for allocating amounts made available pursuant to subsection 7b74 7e7 ,use of funds ,a ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 or territorial health department receiving a grant under this section shall1 to the extent possible1 use the grant funds for activities determined appropriate by the ,director of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention 7in coordination with ,tribal health organizations7 to implement the national system under section #f4 7f7 ,reporting 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall facilitate mechanisms for timely1 standardized reporting by grantees under this section regarding implementation of the systems established under this section and coordinated processes with the reporting as required under the heading ,public ,health and ,social ,service ,emergency ,fund in title ,i of division ,b of the ,paycheck ,protection ,program and ,health ,care ,enhancement ,act 7,public ,law #aaf-aci1 #acd ,stat4 #fbj71 including-- 7,a7 a summary of county or local health department level information from the entities receiving funding under this section about the activities that will be undertaken using funding awarded under this section1 including subgrants2 and 7,b7 any barriers in the prevention1 testing1 mitigation1 or treatment of ,,covid-#ai under this section4 7#b7 ,tribal data sovereignty ,the ,secretary shall consult with ,indian ,tribes and ,tribal organizations and coordinate with ,tribal health organizations to ensure that any reporting process under this section honors and preserves the data sovereignty of individuals who are members of ,indian ,tribes or ,tribal organizations 7as such terms are defined in section #aff of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cbba771 including individuals who are members of ,native ,hawaiian organizations 7as defined in such section #aff71 and urban ,indian organizations4 7g7 ,public listing of awards ,the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 not later than #g days after first awarding grants under this section1 post in a searchable1 electronic format a list of all awards made by the ,secretary under this section1 including the recipients and amounts of such awards2 and 7#b7 update such list not less than once every #g days until all funds made available to carry out this section are expended4 7h7 ,authorization of appropriations ,of the amounts appropriated to carry out this ,act under section #i1 #ae1jjj1jjj1jjj shall be used by the ,secretary to carry out this section4 #h4 ,guidance and technical assistance 7a7 ,department of ,health and ,human ,services guidelines 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ad days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services1 in coordination with the heads of other ,federal agencies as appropriate1 shall issue guidance1 provide technical assistance1 and provide information to ,states1 units of local government1 ,tribes1 and territories1 with respect to the following3 7,a7 ,best practices regarding contact tracing1 including the collection of data with respect to such contact tracing and requirements related to the standardization of demographic and syndromic information collected as part of contact tracing efforts4 7,b7 ,best practices regarding ,,covid-#ai disease surveillance1 including best practices to reduce duplication in surveillance activities1 identifying gaps in surveillance and surveillance systems1 and ways in which the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services plans to effectively support ,state1 local1 ,tribal and territorial health departments in addressing such gaps4 7,c7 ,information on ways for ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 and territorial health departments to establish and maintain the contact tracing and surveillance activities described in subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b74 7,d7 ,best practices regarding privacy and cybersecurity protection related to contact tracing1 containment1 and mitigation efforts4 7#b7 ,communication ,the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services shall identify and publicly announce the form and manner for communication with ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 and territorial health departments for purposes of carrying out the activities addressed by guidance issued under paragraph 7#a74 7b7 ,labor and workplace related guidance ,not later than #ad days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,labor1 acting through the ,assistant ,secretary of ,labor for ,occupational ,safety and ,health1 shall provide guidance and technical assistance regarding how to provide individuals in contact tracing and pandemic response positions with healthy and safe working conditions4 7c7 ,ongoing provision of guidance and technical assistance ,notwithstanding whether funds are available specifically to carry out this ,act1 guidance and technical assistance shall continue to be provided under this section4 #i4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this ,act1 #abe1jjj1jjj1jjj to remain available until expended4