National Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury Clearinghouse Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4309
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-10: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-13T09:07:02Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation aims to create a centralized federal resource, known as the National Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury Clearinghouse, to collect and share reliable information on concussions (a type of mild brain injury) and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs, which are more severe injuries to the brain caused by external force). This resource will focus on best practices, medical knowledge, certifications, and research to improve care and awareness.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of the Clearinghouse: A designated federal official must set up and maintain the clearinghouse within 120 days of the bill's enactment. It will provide vetted (reviewed for accuracy and quality), high-quality information on concussions, TBIs, and related health issues (comorbidities, or co-occurring conditions).
- Designation of Official: The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Secretary of Labor must jointly choose one official to lead this effort. If no agreement is reached within 60 days, the CDC Director automatically takes the role.
- Content and Access:
- For medical professionals: Access to best-practice guidelines to ensure proper patient care.
- For patients and other interested parties: Tools to locate qualified medical professionals and obtain trustworthy information.
- Dissemination Methods: The official can partner with nonprofit organizations, consumer advocacy groups, federal/state/local agencies, or media outlets to share the information widely.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new federal mandate to establish the clearinghouse, which does not appear to amend or reference prior laws directly. It creates a novel inter-agency coordination mechanism (involving HHS, CDC, and Labor) to address gaps in public access to brain injury resources, potentially filling a void in existing public health programs focused on injury prevention and treatment.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Places administrative responsibilities on HHS, CDC, and the Department of Labor to collaborate and fund/maintain the clearinghouse, which could enhance their roles in public health education but may require modest resource allocation.
- Citizens: Improves access to reliable information for individuals affected by concussions or TBIs (e.g., athletes, accident victims, or military personnel), potentially leading to better diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Patients may more easily find certified providers, reducing risks from misinformation.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic public health without addressing global cooperation or foreign policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Medical Professionals: Gain a reliable source for updating their knowledge and certifications on brain injury care.
- Patients and Families: Benefit from easier access to vetted information and help in finding appropriate care.
- Nonprofit Organizations and Advocacy Groups: Can partner to disseminate resources, amplifying their outreach efforts.
- Government Agencies (HHS, CDC, Labor): Responsible for implementation, coordination, and ongoing maintenance.
- Sports, Military, and Workplace Safety Sectors: Indirectly affected, as the clearinghouse could inform protocols in high-risk areas like athletics, occupational safety, or veteran health.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes a clear timeline and default authority (CDC Director) to ensure implementation, minimizing delays. It promotes information-sharing without imposing new regulations on private entities, avoiding potential legal challenges related to mandates.
- Constitutional: Aligns with the federal government's role in public health under the Commerce Clause (which allows regulation of interstate activities affecting health and safety), with no apparent conflicts to individual rights or states' powers.
- Political: Represents a bipartisan public health initiative (introduced by Rep. Bacon), potentially building support for brain injury awareness amid growing concerns in sports and workplaces. It could set a precedent for similar clearinghouses on other health issues, influencing future funding debates in Congress.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-10: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-07-10: Introduced in House
- 2025-07-10: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- National Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury Clearinghouse Act of 2025 — issued 2025-07-10 — PDF (3 pages)