Senate Bills - 110th Congress

S. 742—The Ban Asbestos in America Act of 2007

On March 1, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced S. 742, the Ban Asbestos in America Act of 2007. NIH-relevant portions of the bill would require the Director of the agency to establish an asbestos-related disease research and treatment network that must include “intramural research initiatives” and at least ten Extramural Asbestos-Related Disease Research and Treatment Centers. The bill would authorize $10 million for each of the Fiscal Years 2008 through 2012. S. 742 also includes a finding that NIH “should continue to improve detection, treatment, and management of asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, including by providing continued support for the pleural mesothelioma treatment and research program and peritoneal surgical initiatives.” The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

COMMITTEE/SUBCOMMITTE ACTION

On July 31, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (Senator Barbara Boxer [D-CA], Chairman) approved, as amended, by unanimous consent, S. 742, the Ban Asbestos in America Act of 2007, to strengthen asbestos regulation. Provisions that would affect NIH include:(1) a requirement that HHS, acting through NIH and CDC expand, intensify, and coordinate programs for research on asbestos-causing diseases; (2) the establishment of an asbestos-related disease registry maintained by CDC; (3) a requirement that the Director of NIH establish an asbestos-related disease research and treatment network, which would include the establishment of at least ten research and treatment centers, for Fiscal Years 2008 through 2012; and (4) a requirement that HHS, acting through the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, support research on asbestos-related diseases in collaboration with NIH, NIOSH, and other agencies the Secretary of HHS determines appropriate.

On August 2, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (Senator Barbara Boxer [D-CA], Chairman) reported, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute, S. 742, the Ban Asbestos in America Act of 2007, to strengthen asbestos regulation (no written report). Provisions that would affect NIH include: (1) a requirement that HHS, acting through NIH and CDC, expand, intensify, and coordinate programs for research on asbestos-causing diseases; (2) the establishment of an asbestos-related disease registry maintained by CDC; (3) a requirement that the Director of NIH establish an asbestos-related disease research and treatment network, which would include the establishment of at least ten research and treatment centers, for Fiscal Years 2008 through 2012; and (4) a requirement that HHS, acting through the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, support research on asbestos- related diseases in collaboration with NIH, NIOSH, and other agencies the Secretary of HHS determines appropriate. The bill was placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar Under General Orders.

FLOOR ACTION

On October 4, the Senate passed by unanimous consent S. 742, the Ban Asbestos in America Act of 2007. Provisions that would affect NIH include: (1) a requirement that the Secretary of HHS, acting through NIH and CDC, expand, intensify, and coordinate programs for research on asbestos-causing diseases; (2) the establishment of an asbestos-related disease registry maintained by CDC; (3) a requirement that the Director of NIH establish an asbestos-related diseases research and treatment network, which would include intramural initiatives at NIH and the establishment of at least ten research and treatment centers, each of which must receive $1 million for each of the Fiscal Years 2008 through 2012; and (4) a requirement that HHS, acting through the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, support research on asbestos-related diseases in collaboration with NIH, NIOSH, and other agencies the Secretary of HHS determines appropriate.