Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 120.djvu/2878

 PUBLIC LAW 109–417—DEC. 19, 2006

120 STAT. 2847

‘‘(A) reports of such data, information, and metrics as the Secretary may require; ‘‘(B) a report on the effectiveness of the systems funded under the grant; and ‘‘(C) a description of the manner in which grant funds will be used to enhance the timelines and comprehensiveness of efforts to detect, respond to, and manage potentially catastrophic infectious disease outbreaks and public health emergencies. ‘‘(3) USE OF FUNDS.—A State or consortium of States that receives an award under this subsection— ‘‘(A) shall establish, enhance, or operate a coordinated public health situational awareness system for regional or Statewide early detection of, rapid response to, and management of potentially catastrophic infectious disease outbreaks and public health emergencies; ‘‘(B) may award grants or contracts to entities described in paragraph (1) within or serving such State to assist such entities in improving the operation of information technology systems, facilitating the secure exchange of data and information, and training personnel to enhance the operation of the system described in subparagraph (A); and ‘‘(C) may conduct a pilot program for the development of multi-State telehealth network test beds that build on, enhance, and securely link existing State and local telehealth programs to prepare for, monitor, respond to, and manage the events of public health emergencies, facilitate coordination and communication among medical, public health, and emergency response agencies, and provide medical services through telehealth initiatives within the States that are involved in such a multi-State telehealth network test bed. ‘‘(4) LIMITATION.—Information technology systems acquired or implemented using grants awarded under this section must be compliant with— ‘‘(A) interoperability and other technological standards, as determined by the Secretary; and ‘‘(B) data collection and reporting requirements for the network described in subsection (d). ‘‘(5) INDEPENDENT EVALUATION.—Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, the Government Accountability Office shall conduct an independent evaluation, and submit to the Secretary and the appropriate committees of Congress a report concerning the activities conducted under this subsection and subsection (d). ‘‘(f) TELEHEALTH ENHANCEMENTS FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE.— ‘‘(1) EVALUATION.—The Secretary, in consultation with the Federal Communications Commission and other relevant Federal agencies, shall— ‘‘(A) conduct an inventory of telehealth initiatives in existence on the date of enactment of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, including— ‘‘(i) the specific location of network components; ‘‘(ii) the medical, technological, and communications capabilities of such components;

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