H.R. 5747: Preventing Illegal Laboratories and Protecting Public Health Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Preventing Illegal Laboratories and Protecting Public Health Act of 2025, aims to enhance regulation and oversight of highly pathogenic agents in the United States. Its key provisions include the following:

Logbook Requirements for Distributors

The bill mandates that distributors of highly pathogenic agents maintain electronic logbooks. These logbooks must include detailed records of all sales, leases, loans, or transfers of the agents. Each logbook entry must contain:

• The name of the agent.
• The purchaser’s contact information, including name, address, and email.
• A description of the purchaser's intended use of the agent and where it will be housed.
• The date, time, and method of the transfer.
• A signature from the purchaser.

Additionally, the logbooks must be retained for a minimum of three years after the entries are made, and any changes in ownership of the distributor require that the new owner takes responsibility for the logbooks.

List of Highly Pathogenic Agents

The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) is tasked with creating and maintaining a list of highly pathogenic agents. This list must be developed within six months of the bill's enactment and reviewed annually. The Secretary will consult various relevant agencies to ensure the list is comprehensive and up-to-date.

Public Disclosure and Privacy

There will be restrictions on the disclosure of logbook information. The Secretary can share the information with health officials and law enforcement agencies as necessary for public health and safety. However, the information cannot be used for any other purposes. Logbooks will also be exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, safeguarding sensitive information while ensuring compliance with the bill.

Evaluation of High-Containment Laboratories

The bill calls for a strategic evaluation of high-containment laboratories in the U.S. This will be overseen by a designated federal entity, which will assess the number, location, and security measures of these labs. The team must evaluate how effectively these labs address national biosafety and biosecurity goals and identify any gaps in oversight.

Public Health Biosafety and Biosecurity Team

A Public Health Biosafety and Biosecurity Team will be established to serve as a point of contact for state and local agencies. This team will address issues related to laboratory safety and security and facilitate communication between different governmental levels.

Feasibility Study for a High-Containment Laboratory Database

The bill requires a feasibility study to determine the viability of maintaining a comprehensive database of high-containment laboratories. This database would include ownership details, addresses, licensing status, and any legal infractions related to these laboratories.

Regulations on False Statements

Entering false or misleading information in the logbooks would subject purchasers to criminal penalties, highlighting the importance of accuracy in record-keeping. This bill is designed to strengthen regulatory oversight of highly pathogenic agents and ensure that public health is adequately protected by improving the tracking and safety of these materials.

Relevant Companies

None found.