H.R. 706 — DHS Biodetection Improvement Act

This section directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to assess Department of Homeland Security (DHS) utilization of Department of Energy national laboratories and sites for research and development (R&D) under DHS missions, pursuant to section 309 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 189). Not later than 180 days after enactment, the Secretary must submit the assessment to the House Committee on Homeland Security and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, along with a strategy for DHS biodetection R&D (i.e., detecting biological threats via programs such as BioWatch) in coordination with such laboratories and sites that (1) identifies technologies meeting DHS biodetection needs as outlined in capabilities documents and studies such as the November 2021 National Re-Assessment of the BioWatch Collector Network; (2) develops an acquisition plan to procure those technologies for existing BioWatch jurisdictions; (3) provides for periodic external evaluations of gaps, failure points, and contingency plans; and (4) assists Federal, State, local, Tribal governments, institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965), and the private sector in defining requirements for future environmental biodetection programs. Not later than one year after enactment, the Secretary must submit an update on the assessment and strategy, including implementation challenges.