Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 120.djvu/3374

 PUBLIC LAW 109–450—DEC. 22, 2006

120 STAT. 3343

‘‘(2) programs to improve the treatment and outcomes for babies born premature, including the use of evidence-based standards of care by health care professionals for pregnant women at risk of preterm labor or other serious complications and for infants born preterm and at a low birthweight; ‘‘(3) programs to respond to the informational needs of families during the stay of an infant in a neonatal intensive care unit, during the transition of the infant to the home, and in the event of a newborn death; and ‘‘(4) such other programs as the Secretary determines appropriate to achieve the purpose specified in subsection (a). ‘‘(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011.’’. SEC. 5. INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL ON PREMATURITY AND LOW BIRTHWEIGHT.

(a) PURPOSE.—It is the purpose of this section to stimulate multidisciplinary research, scientific exchange, and collaboration among the agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services and to assist the Department in targeting efforts to achieve the greatest advances toward the goal of reducing prematurity and low birthweight. (b) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish an Interagency Coordinating Council on Prematurity and Low Birthweight (referred to in this section as the Council) to carry out the purpose of this section. (c) COMPOSITION.—The Council shall be composed of members to be appointed by the Secretary, including representatives of the agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services. (d) ACTIVITIES.—The Council shall— (1) annually report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and Congress on current Departmental activities relating to prematurity and low birthweight; (2) carry out other activities determined appropriate by the Secretary of Health and Human Services; and (3) oversee the coordination of the implementation of this Act.

42 USC 247b–4g.

Reports.

SEC. 6. SURGEON GENERAL’S CONFERENCE ON PRETERM BIRTH.

(a) CONVENING OF CONFERENCE.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service, shall convene a conference on preterm birth. (b) PURPOSE OF CONFERENCE.—The purpose of the conference convened under subsection (a) shall be to— (1) increase awareness of preterm birth as a serious, common, and costly public health problem in the United States; (2) review the findings and reports issued by the Interagency Coordinating Council, key stakeholders, and any other relevant entities; and (3) establish an agenda for activities in both the public and private sectors that will speed the identification of, and treatments for, the causes of and risk factors for preterm labor and delivery. (c) REPORT.—The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to the Congress and make available to the public a report on the agenda established under subsection (b)(3), including

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