Skip to main content
S 419 105th Congress Senate Health Birth defects Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Congress Congressional reporting requirements Data banks Department of Health and Human Services Economics and Public Finance Epidemiology Families Federal advisory bodies Federal aid to medical research Federal employees Government Operations and Politics Government paperwork Government publicity Grants-in-aid Health surveys Hospital records Infant mortality

Birth Defects Prevention Act of 1998

Introduced: March 11, 1997 See on congress.gov
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
 Everywhere this bill has been 23 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 21, 1998
Became Public Law No: 105-168.
Apr 21, 1998
Signed by President.
Apr 17, 1998
Presented to President.
Mar 10, 1998
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Mar 10, 1998
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 2 (Roll no. 42).
Mar 10, 1998
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 2 (Roll no. 42).
Mar 10, 1998
Considered as unfinished business.
Mar 10, 1998
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 5, rule I, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Mar 10, 1998
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Mar 10, 1998
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H920-925)
Mar 10, 1998
Mr. Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Jul 14, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.
Jun 17, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on Commerce.
Jun 16, 1997
Held at the desk.
Jun 16, 1997
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Jun 16, 1997
Received in the House.
Jun 12, 1997
Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Jun 12, 1997
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Jun 12, 1997
Measure laid before Senate. (consideration: CR S5584-5589)
Jun 12, 1997
Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Mar 11, 1997
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.
Mar 11, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2129-2131)
Mar 11, 1997
Introduced in Senate
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Mar 10, 1998 House · vote #42 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass Passed 405–2 See who voted →
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Birth Defects Prevention Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to carry out programs to: (1) collect and analyze, and make available data on birth defects in a manner that facilitates compliance with this Act, including data on the causes of such defects and on the incidence and prevalence of such defects; (2) operate regional centers for the conduct of applied epidemiological research on the prevention of such defects; and (3) provide information and education to the public on the prevention of such defects. Requires the Secretary, in collecting, analyzing, and making available data on birth defects, to: (1) collect and analyze data by gender and by racial and ethnic group; (2) collect such data from birth and death certificates, hospital records, and such other sources as the Secretary determines to be appropriate; and (3) encourage States to establish or improve programs for the collection and analysis of epidemiological data on birth defects and to make the data available.

Directs the Secretary to establish a National Information Clearinghouse on Birth Defects to collect and disseminate to health professionals and the public information on birth defects, including the prevention of such defects.

Authorizes the Secretary, in carrying out programs regarding birth defects, to make grants to and enter into contracts with public and nonprofit private entities. Authorizes the Secretary, upon the request of a recipient of an award of a grant or contract, to provide supplies, equipment, and services for the purpose of aiding the recipient in carrying out the purposes for which the award is made and, for such purposes, to detail to the recipient any HHS officer or employee.

Authorizes the Secretary to make an award of a grant or contract only if an application for the award is submitted to the Secretary and the application is in such form, is made in such manner, and contains such agreements, assurances, and information as the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out the purposes for which the award is to be made.

Requires the Secretary to report biennially to the House Committee on Commerce and the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources regarding birth defects.

Subjects the provisions of this Act to requirements of the Privacy Act. Applies all Federal laws relating to the privacy of information to data and information collected under this Act.

Authorizes appropriations.

What's happening now April 21, 1998

Became Public Law No: 105-168.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 3
All 3 Democratic 3