116 STAT. 620 PUBLIC LAW 107-188-JUNE 12, 2002 information and advice as part of the emergency public health response to bioterrorism or other public health emergencies. Nothing in this subsection may be construed as establishing new regulatory authority or as modifying any existing regulatory authority. " (e) PRIORITIES IN USE OF GRANTS.— " (1) IN GENERAL.— " (A) PRIORITIES. —Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall, in carrying out the activities described in this section, address the following hazards in the following priority: "(i) Bioterrorism or acute outbreaks of infectious diseases. "(ii) Other public health threats and emergencies. "(B) DETERMINATION OF THE SECRETARY. — In the case of the hazard involved, the degree of priority that would apply to the hazard based on the categories specified in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A) may be modified by the Secretary if the following conditions are met: "(i) The Secretary determines that the modification is appropriate on the basis of the following factors: "(I) The extent to which eligible entities are adequately prepared for responding to hazards within the category specified in clause (i) of subparagraph (A). "(II) There has been a significant change in the assessment of risks to the public health posed by hazards within the category specified in clause (ii) of such subparagraph. "(ii) Prior to modifying the priority, the Secretary notifies the appropriate committees of the Congress of the determination of the Secretary under clause (i) of this subparagraph. "(2) AREAS OF EMPHASIS WITHIN CATEGORIES.— The Secretary shall determine areas of emphasis within the category of hazards specified in clause (i) of paragraph (1)(A), and shall determine areas of emphasis within the category of hazards specified in clause (ii) of such paragraph, based on an assessment of the risk and likely consequences of such hazards and on an evaluation of Federal, State, and local needs, and may also take into account the extent to which receiving an award under subsection (a) will develop capacities that can be used for public health emergencies of varying types. "(f) CERTAIN ACTIVITIES.—In administering activities under section 319C(c)(4) or similar activities, the Secretary shall, where appropriate, give priority to activities that include State or local government financial commitments, that seek to incorporate multiple public health and safety services or diagnostic databases into an integrated public health entity, and that cover geographic areas lacking advanced diagnostic and laboratory capabilities. "(g) COORDINATION WITH LOCAL MEDICAL RESPONSE SYSTEM. — An eligible entity and local Metropolitan Medical Response Systems shall, to the extent practicable, ensure that activities carried out under an award under subsection (a) are coordinated with activities that are carried out by local Metropolitan Medical Response Systems.
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