Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 120.djvu/2869

 120 STAT. 2838

Effective date.

VerDate 14-DEC-2004

09:16 Jul 13, 2007

PUBLIC LAW 109–417—DEC. 19, 2006

and objective standards established by the Secretary to evaluate the preparedness and response capabilities of such entity under subsection (g); ‘‘(C) an assurance that the entity will conduct, on at least an annual basis, an exercise or drill that meets any criteria established by the Secretary to test the preparedness and response capabilities of such entity, and that the entity will report back to the Secretary within the application of the following year on the strengths and weaknesses identified through such exercise or drill, and corrective actions taken to address material weaknesses; ‘‘(D) an assurance that the entity will provide to the Secretary the data described under section 319D(d)(3) as determined feasible by the Secretary; ‘‘(E) an assurance that the entity will conduct activities to inform and educate the hospitals within the jurisdiction of such entity on the role of such hospitals in the plan required under subparagraph (A); ‘‘(F) an assurance that the entity, with respect to the plan described under subparagraph (A), has developed and will implement an accountability system to ensure that such entity make satisfactory annual improvement and describe such system in the plan under subparagraph (A); ‘‘(G) a description of the means by which to obtain public comment and input on the plan described in subparagraph (A) and on the implementation of such plan, that shall include an advisory committee or other similar mechanism for obtaining comment from the public and from other State, local, and tribal stakeholders; and ‘‘(H) as relevant, a description of the process used by the entity to consult with local departments of public health to reach consensus, approval, or concurrence on the relative distribution of amounts received under this section. ‘‘(c) LIMITATION.—Beginning in fiscal year 2009, the Secretary may not award a cooperative agreement to a State unless such State is a participant in the Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals described in section 319I. ‘‘(d) USE OF FUNDS.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—An award under subsection (a) shall be expended for activities to achieve the preparedness goals described under paragraphs (1), (2), (4), (5), and (6) of section 2802(b). ‘‘(2) EFFECT OF SECTION.—Nothing in this subsection may be construed as establishing new regulatory authority or as modifying any existing regulatory authority. ‘‘(e) COORDINATION WITH LOCAL RESPONSE CAPABILITIES.—An entity shall, to the extent practicable, ensure that activities carried out under an award under subsection (a) are coordinated with activities of relevant Metropolitan Medical Response Systems, local public health departments, the Cities Readiness Initiative, and local emergency plans. ‘‘(f) CONSULTATION WITH HOMELAND SECURITY.—In making awards under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Homeland Security to—

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