H.R. 6305 – Protect America’s Biomedical Research Enterprise Act of 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 8:42 AM UTC

The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services, working with national security agencies and research experts, to improve the protection of biomedical research data, intellectual property, and participant information from security threats. It aims to identify gaps, develop strategies against foreign exploitation, and create a framework for monitoring emerging research areas that could be targeted by state actors. The Secretary must report findings and recommendations to the President and relevant congressional committees within one year.

Key Provisions

Task the HHS Secretary, in coordination with national security officials and research stakeholders, to identify ways to better protect intellectual property and sensitive participant data in federally funded biomedical research
Develop strategies to prevent, mitigate, and address national security threats to biomedical research, including risks from foreign talent programs and foreign exploitation of U.S. technology
Identify risks related to peer review and other processes, and recommend additional policies and procedures to safeguard proprietary and participant information
Create a framework to pinpoint federal biomedical research areas that are of interest to foreign state actors and could pose national security risks if unduly influenced
Require regular review and updates of recommendations and policies, and mandate a report to the President and Congress within one year of enactment

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

December 17, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

December 16, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

December 16, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

December 17, 2021

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Introduced in HouseIssued December 16, 2021

I

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 6305

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 16, 2021

Mr. Hudson (for himself and Mr. Trone) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To ensure the security of biomedical research, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Protect America’s Biomedical Research Enterprise Act of 2021.

2.

Protecting America’s biomedical research enterprise

(a)

In general

The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the Secretary), in collaboration with Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Director of National Intelligence, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the heads of other relevant departments and agencies, and in consultation with research institutions and research advocacy organizations or other relevant experts, as appropriate, shall—

(1)

identify ways to improve the protection of intellectual property and other proprietary information, as well as identifiable, sensitive information of participants in biomedical research and development, from national security risks and other applicable threats, including the identification of gaps in policies and procedures in such areas related to biomedical research and development supported by the Department of Health and Human Services and biomedical research supported by other agencies as applicable, and make recommendations to institutions of higher education or other entities that have traditionally received Federal funding for biomedical research to protect such information;

(2)

identify or develop strategies to prevent, mitigate, and address national security threats in biomedical research and development supported by the Federal Government, including such threats associated with foreign talent programs, by countries seeking to exploit United States technology and other proprietary information as it relates to such biomedical research and development;

(3)

identify national security risks and potential misuse of proprietary information, and identifiable, sensitive information of biomedical research participants and other applicable risks, including with respect to peer review, and make recommendations for additional policies and procedures to protect such information;

(4)

develop a framework to identify areas of biomedical research and development supported by the Federal Government that are emerging areas of interest for state actors and would compromise national security if they were to be subjected to undue foreign influence; and

(5)

regularly review recommendations or policies developed under this section and make additional recommendations or updates, as appropriate.

(b)

Report to President and to Congress

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prepare and submit, in a manner that does not compromise national security, to the President and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate, the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives, and other congressional committees as appropriate, a report on the findings and recommendations pursuant to subsection (a).