Homeland Security Act

Vaccine liability issues were also covered in Section 304 of the Homeland Security Act (HSA) of 2002as amended in April 2003, in which Congress enacted liability protection for manufacturers of smallpox vaccines. Vaccine liability can be handled in four different ways the government can substitute itself as the defendant, it can decide nobody need be liable and provide no-fault compensation, it can indemnify manufacturers after they have been sued and lost, or it can alter the normal rules of litigation. In the HSA, the government substitutes itself as the defendant if the HHS Secretary declares an actual or potential bioterrorist incident or other actual or potential public health emergency makes advisable the administration of a covered countermeasure," such as a vaccine. Secretary Tommy Thompson issued the first such declaration on January 24, 2003. 

Relevant sections of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA) [125] and the Safe Explosives Act of that law, which is Tide II of that Act, are presented with applicable definitions of explosives and terrorism. 

Homeland Security Act, Title XI, Subtide C contains the Safe Explosives Act [130]. The Act is designed to heighten security for explosive materials by requiring all persons desiring to obtain explosives, for any use, to possess a federal permit or hcense [131]. The Safe Explosives Act [132] addresses procedures and requirements in the following areas permits (Sect. 1122(a)—(e)) inspections (Sect. 1122(f)—(g)) background checks and clearances (Sect. 1122(h)) prohibitions on distribution and possession (Sect. 1123) required samples (Sect. 1124) reheffrom disabilities (Sect. 1126) theft report requirements (Sect. 1127) and authorization for appropriations (Sect. 1128). 

Stevens, G.M. Congressional Research Service, Homeland Security Act of 2002 Critical Infrastructure Information Act (28 February 2003). 

Congress passed the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 as part of the Homeland Security Act, in response to the terrorism attacks of 11 September, 2001. The new law contains several provisions that are designed to strengthen the public health system generally and the availability of drugs, biological products and medical devices for countering bioterrorism, in particular. 

Includes federal, state, local, and tribal emergency public safety, law enforcement, emergency response, emergency medical (including hospital emergency facilities), and related personnel, agencies, and authorities. Addressed in Section 2 (6), of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, Pub. L. 107-296, 116 Stat. 2135 (2002). May also be called Emergency Responder. 

The U.S. FDA more recently had a major expansion in its surveillance and contaminant enforcement authority with respect to potential threats of terrorist acts against the U.S. food supply (1) the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (PL 107-296 116 Stat. 2135) and (2) the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 [PL 107—188 116 Stat. 594]. These two statutes prompted the development of the HACCP program within the agency s CFSAN. For example, an episode of deliberate... 

HSPD 8 Homeland Security Presidential Directive that addresses national preparedness and calls for a national preparedness goal that establishes measurable priorities and targets and an approach to developing needed capabilities it clearly states that hospital emergency medical facilities are considered emergency response providers as defined by the Department of Homeland Security Act... 

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provide oversight of lawful immigration into the United States. On March 1, 2003, USCIS officially assumed responsibihty for the immigration service functions of the federal government. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 dismantled the former INS and separated the former agency into three components within DHS. 

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