Radiation Health Research Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8852
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-15: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-23T18:31:55Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to create and run a dedicated research program examining the health impacts of nuclear radiation on women. The goal is to address gaps in knowledge about these effects, with a focus on specific groups and long-term data collection.
Key Provisions
- The NIH Director, working through the Office of Research on Women's Health, must design and implement the program, subject to available funding.
- The program must:
- Focus on pregnant women, adolescent girls, and pre-adolescent girls.
- Include at least 10 years of ongoing tracking for participants.
- Support joint research across agencies, fields, and innovative methods.
- Base its approach on the strongest available scientific evidence.
- Protect participant privacy through confidential handling of data.
- The Director must consult with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Energy, other federal agencies, and relevant non-federal parties.
- Annual reports to Congress are required, starting one year after enactment, covering program results, current research gaps on radiation effects for women, and suggestions for a national plan to reduce harms, including public education efforts.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This legislation adds a new section (486C) to Part F of Title IV of the Public Health Service Act. It introduces a specific federal mandate for targeted research on nuclear radiation's effects on women, where no such dedicated program previously existed in the law.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Directs resources and coordination at NIH, with involvement from the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Energy for research and consultation.
- Citizens: May lead to new studies involving women exposed to nuclear radiation, providing long-term health data while requiring privacy protections; could inform future public health guidance.
- International relations: Limited direct effects, though findings might influence global discussions on radiation safety if shared through scientific channels.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Women and girls potentially exposed to nuclear radiation (e.g., through occupational, environmental, or medical sources).
- Federal agencies including NIH, Department of Health and Human Services, and Department of Energy.
- Congress, which will receive annual reports and oversee the program.
- Researchers and medical professionals conducting or using the studies.
- Advocacy groups focused on women's health or radiation exposure.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The bill raises no explicit constitutional issues and operates within Congress's authority to direct federal research funding and programs. It emphasizes scientific standards and privacy but does not alter existing legal frameworks for radiation regulation or individual rights. The measure appears designed for bipartisan support, as introduced by members from both parties, with a focus on filling research gaps rather than regulatory changes.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-15: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-05-15: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-15: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Radiation Health Research Act — issued 2026-05-15 — PDF (3 pages)