Heat Emergency Assessment and Tracking using AI Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9285
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-11: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-01T17:00:09Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation establishes the Heat Emergency Assessment and Tracking using AI Act (HEAT AI Act). It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create a pilot program using artificial intelligence to improve tracking and response to heat-related illnesses and deaths, addressing underreporting issues.
Key Provisions
- Findings: Heat-related deaths and illnesses are underreported due to limitations in medical coding systems and inconsistent documentation by practitioners. Artificial intelligence tools, such as large language models, can analyze unstructured data like medical records and weather information to identify missed cases.
- Study Requirement: Within two years of enactment, the Secretary must conduct a study on the incidence of heat-related illness and death in the United States, coordinating with state health and vital statistics departments to assess heat as a primary, secondary, or tertiary cause.
- Pilot Program Establishment: The Secretary must implement the Heat Illness AI Surveillance and Response Program by awarding grants to three to five eligible entities. These entities will develop and test AI tools to analyze medical records, death certificates, and coroner reports, while integrating local weather and occupational data.
- Grant Uses: Funds support AI tool development for surveillance, creation of heat response protocols, clinician training on heat illness identification and management, and community outreach to raise awareness of symptoms and prevention.
- Grant Selection: Awards occur on a competitive basis, prioritizing entities from diverse climates and populations, including at least one urban and one rural community.
- Consultation and Oversight: The Secretary must consult with Department of Justice medicolegal professionals, state and local health departments, and stakeholders like utility companies. Privacy compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other laws is required, along with an AI advisory board for transparency and fairness.
- Reporting: Annual progress reports to Congress begin one year after enactment, with a final evaluation by September 30, 2031, covering effectiveness, costs, and benefits.
- National Guidelines: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must issue guidelines within two years to standardize documentation and reporting of heat-related cases using improved medical codes.
- Recommendations: By September 30, 2031, the Secretary must provide recommendations for broader nationwide deployment of AI technologies for heat tracking, including best practices for design and operation.
- Funding: Authorizes $25,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new federal grant program focused on AI-driven surveillance for heat-related health issues, which does not currently exist in statute. It mandates coordination between federal agencies and states for improved data collection and requires the issuance of national guidelines on heat illness documentation, expanding beyond current voluntary or inconsistent practices under the International Classification of Diseases.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases responsibilities for the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Institutes of Health in managing grants, AI tools, and reporting. It may require additional resources for compliance and oversight.
- Citizens: Could lead to better public health responses and awareness in affected areas, potentially reducing heat-related illnesses through improved protocols and outreach, though access depends on pilot locations.
- International Relations: No direct provisions affect international relations.
Main Stakeholders
- Federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services and its components.
- State and local health departments.
- Hospitals, academic medical centers, and research institutions eligible for grants.
- Medicolegal death investigation professionals and utility companies.
- Communities in urban and rural areas exposed to heat risks.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The bill emphasizes compliance with existing privacy regulations like HIPAA and establishes an advisory board to address AI fairness and equity across populations. It involves federal appropriations for a new program, which could raise questions about resource allocation, but includes no apparent constitutional conflicts. The focus on AI ethics and data accuracy highlights potential political interest in technology applications for public health.
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
- 2026-06-11: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-06-11: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-11: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Heat Emergency Assessment and Tracking using AI Act — issued 2026-06-11 — PDF (8 pages)