H.R. 5626House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

SAFE Biomedical Research Act

Sponsored by John JoyceRep. John Joyce (R-PA)
Introduced October 19, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 7:25 AM UTC

The SAFE Biomedical Research Act changes the Public Health Service Act to make the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the NIH Director, regularly consult with key national‑security officials about biomedical research that could impact security. It also requires NIH grant recipients and their partners to follow strong data‑security practices for any sensitive or identifiable information they handle.

Key Provisions

  • The NIH Director must regularly consult with the Director of the Office of National Security, the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, the Director of National Intelligence, the FBI Director, and other appropriate agency heads on biomedical research that may affect or be affected by national security.
  • NIH award recipients, and where feasible their collaborators, must have and follow appropriate technology policies to protect identifiable and sensitive information, including data collected, stored, or analyzed by domestic or foreign entities.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

October 20, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

October 19, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

October 19, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

October 20, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued October 19, 2021

I

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 5626

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 19, 2021

Mr. Joyce of Pennsylvania introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To amend title IV of the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health, to consult with certain heads of Federal agencies with respect to biomedical research that may affect national security, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Securing And Fortifying Everyday Biomedical Research Act or the SAFE Biomedical Research Act.

2.

Duties of the Director

Section 402(b) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 282(b)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (24), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon;

(2)

in paragraph (25)(B), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and

(3)

by inserting after paragraph (25) the following:

(26)

shall consult with the Director of the Office of National Security within the Department of Health and Human Services, the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, the Director of National Intelligence, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the heads of other appropriate agencies on a regular basis, regarding biomedical research conducted or supported by the National Institutes of Health that may affect or be affected by matters of national security; and

(27)

shall ensure that recipients of awards from the National Institutes of Health, and, as appropriate and practicable, entities collaborating with such recipients, have in place and are adhering to appropriate technology practices and policies for the security of identifiable, sensitive information, including information collected, stored, or analyzed by domestic and foreign entities.

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