Shandra Eisenga TB Study Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9561
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-30: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-06T13:38:30Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 9561: Shandra Eisenga TB Study Act of 2026
Purpose
This legislation directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study the feasibility of creating an accurate and reliable standardized test for detecting tuberculosis in tissue from human cadavers. The goal is to enhance donor screening, improve transplant safety, and strengthen the reliability of organ and tissue donation systems.
Key Provisions
- Study Requirement: The Secretary must complete a comprehensive study within 2 years of the bill's enactment, focusing on test development for post-mortem tissue.
- Consultation: The study requires input from the Directors of the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, and relevant stakeholders such as organ procurement organizations and tissue banks.
- Study Elements: The study may examine current scientific knowledge and research gaps, evaluate testing methods, address practical issues like specimen collection and biosafety, assess pilot studies across diverse populations and sites, recommend interagency coordination, and identify barriers to implementation.
- Report to Congress: Within 3 years of enactment, the Secretary must submit a report with findings, conclusions, and recommendations for developing and implementing such a test, including any needed congressional or regulatory actions.
- Funding: The Secretary may use existing Department of Health and Human Services appropriations for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, subject to availability.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces no direct amendments to existing statutes. It establishes a new, one-time study mandate on tuberculosis testing in cadaver tissue, without altering current regulatory frameworks for organ donation or disease detection.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: It would require coordination among multiple Health and Human Services components, potentially increasing workload for research and regulatory review.
- Citizens and Systems: Improved testing could reduce risks in organ and tissue transplants, benefiting recipients and donation networks, though outcomes depend on future implementation.
- No Notable International Relations Effects: The bill focuses solely on domestic health and donation practices.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal agencies including the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration, and Health Resources and Services Administration.
- Organ procurement organizations, tissue banks, hospitals, and medical examiners involved in tissue recovery.
- Individuals in high-risk or underserved communities, transplant recipients, and families of donors.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The bill raises no significant constitutional issues, as it relies on existing agency authority and appropriations. It has minimal legal or political implications beyond authorizing a targeted feasibility study.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-30: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-06-30: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-30: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Shandra Eisenga TB Study Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-30 — PDF (4 pages)