Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3498
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-19: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T21:21:15Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation, titled the "Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act," aims to posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to Henrietta Lacks. It recognizes her "immortal" HeLa cells—taken from her without consent during 1951 cancer treatment—which have revolutionized scientific research, global health advancements, quality of life improvements, and patients' rights through informed consent policies.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The act is officially named the "Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act."
- Findings: Congress outlines Henrietta Lacks' life story (1920–1951), including her African-American background, move to Baltimore for work, 1951 diagnosis and death from cervical cancer at age 31, and the unauthorized use of her tumor cells. These HeLa cells are the first immortal human cell line (meaning they replicate indefinitely), used in over 110,000 research publications since 1953. They enabled breakthroughs like the polio vaccine, treatments for cancer, HIV/AIDS, hemophilia, leukemia, and Parkinson's, plus studies on radiation, zero gravity, chromosomes, and precision medicine (tailored treatments based on genetics). The findings also note HeLa's role in Nobel Prize discoveries, commercialization without family knowledge for over 20 years, and its influence on modern bioethics and informed consent laws (rules requiring patients' awareness and agreement for medical procedures).
- Award Presentation: The Speaker of the House and President pro tempore of the Senate (the Senate's temporary leader when the Vice President is absent) will arrange a ceremony to present the gold medal to honor Lacks.
- Medal Design and Production: The Secretary of the Treasury will create the gold medal with appropriate symbols and engravings. After presentation, it goes to the Smithsonian Institution (a major U.S. museum and research complex) for display and study. Congress suggests displaying it at sites linked to Lacks, like Johns Hopkins Hospital.
- Duplicate Medals: Bronze copies can be made and sold by the Treasury to cover production costs (including labor, materials, and overhead).
- Legal Status and Funding: The medals are classified as national medals under U.S. law (for official recognition) and numismatic items (collectible coins or medals). Costs are paid from the U.S. Mint's public fund, with sales proceeds returning to that fund.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces no direct changes to current laws. It authorizes a new honorary award under Congress's existing power to bestow medals (as in other Gold Medal Acts). It builds on prior laws for medal production and funding through the U.S. Mint but adds specific recognition for Lacks without altering bioethics or consent regulations.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Involves coordination among Congress, the Treasury Department (for minting), and the Smithsonian (for preservation and display), with minimal added costs covered by existing Mint funds. It may encourage similar recognitions for overlooked contributors.
- Citizens: Raises public awareness of medical history, ethical issues in research (especially for underserved communities like African Americans in the 1950s), and the importance of informed consent. It honors Lacks' legacy, potentially inspiring education on science and patient rights without direct financial effects.
- International Relations: Highlights the global use of HeLa cells in research, fostering goodwill in scientific communities worldwide. It underscores U.S. leadership in bioethics but does not affect treaties or foreign policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Henrietta Lacks' Family: Receives posthumous recognition, potentially aiding their advocacy for ethical research and compensation discussions.
- Scientific and Medical Communities: Benefits from highlighted contributions of HeLa cells, reinforcing their foundational role in ongoing research.
- African-American and Underserved Communities: Addresses historical injustices in medical treatment, promoting trust in healthcare systems.
- Government Entities: Congress (for oversight), U.S. Mint/Treasury (for production), and Smithsonian (for curation) handle implementation.
- General Public and Researchers: Gains educational value through displays and awareness of bioethics advancements.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on established statutes for Congressional Gold Medals (e.g., 31 U.S.C. Chapter 51), ensuring no consent issues since it's honorary. It indirectly supports bioethics by noting HeLa's role in informed consent laws but enacts no new rules.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's enumerated powers under Article I, Section 8 (to coin money and recognize achievements), posing no constitutional challenges.
- Political: Symbolizes acknowledgment of racial disparities in U.S. medical history (e.g., non-consensual research on minorities), potentially bridging bipartisan support for science and equity. As an introduced bill (referred to Financial Services and House Administration Committees), it reflects broad co-sponsorship (over 25 members) but requires passage for effect; it carries no partisan mandates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (35)
Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Hoyer, Steny H. [D-MD-5], Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2], Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large], Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-19: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-05-19: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-05-19: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-19: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act — issued 2025-05-19 — PDF (6 pages)