Strengthening Laboratory Biosecurity in the United States
Working Group Ordered to Strengthen Laboratory Biosecurity Nationwide
What it does
Agencies must review and report on security and personnel practices at facilities handling biological select agents and toxins within 180 days.
Real-world impact
- Requires review of security and personnel practices at labs handling select agents.
- Agency heads must provide staff, travel, and information to support the review.
- Working Group will terminate 60 days after submitting its report to the President.
Topics
Summary
This order creates a Working Group, housed within the Department of Defense for administrative purposes, to strengthen security at facilities that possess biological select agents and toxins. It names senior cabinet officials as members and designates the Secretaries of Defense and Health and Human Services as co-chairs.
The group must review laws, regulations, and practices on physical, facility, and personnel security, consult federal, state, and foreign officials as appropriate, and deliver an unclassified report with a classified annex to the President within 180 days.
Questions, answered
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