ENHANCEMENT OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.38 USC note prec. 8101.

SEC. 154. ENHANCEMENT OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. (a) Readiness of Department Medical Center.—(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall take appropriate actions to enhance the readiness of Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers to protect the patients and staff of such centers from chemical or biological attack or otherwise to respond to such an attack and so as to enable such centers to fulfil their obligations as part of the Federal response to public health emegencies. (2) Actions under paragraph (1) shall include— (A) the provision of decontamination equipment and personal protection equipment at Department medical centers; and (B) the provision of training in the use of such equipment to staff of such centers. (b) Security at Department Medical and Research Facilities.—(1) Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall carry out an evaluation of the security needs at Department medical centers and research facilities. The evaluation shall address the following needs: (A) Needs for the protection of patients and medical staff during emergencies, including a chemical or biological attack or other terrorist attack. (B) Needs, if any, for screening personnel engaged in research relating to biological pathogens or agents, including work associated with such research. (C) Needs for securing laboratories or other facilities engaged in research relating to biological pathogens or agents. (D) Any other needs the Secretary considers appropriate. (2) The Secretary shall take appropriate actions to enhance the security of Department medical centers and research facilities, including staff and patients at such centers and facilities. In taking 116 STAT. 632such actions, the Secretary shall take into account the results of the evaluation required by paragraph (1). (c) Tracking of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies and Equipment.—The Secretary shall develop and maintain a centralized system for tracking the current location and availability of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and medical equipment throughout the Department health care system in order to permit the ready identification and utilization of such pharmaceuticals, supplies, and equipment for a variety of purposes, including response to a chemical or biological attack or other terrorist attack. (d) Training.—The Secretary shall ensure that the Department medical centers, in consultation with the accredited medical school affiliates of such medical centers, develop and implement curricula to train resident physicians and health care personnel in medical matters relating to biological, chemical, or radiological attacks. (e) Participation in National Disaster Medical System.—(1) The Secretary shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, establish and maintain a training program to facilitate the participation of the staff of Department medical centers, and of the community partners of such centers, in the National Disaster Medical System. (2) The Secretary shall establish and maintain the training program under paragraph (1) in accordance with the recommendations of the working group under section 319F(a) of the Public Health Service Act. (f) Mental Health Counseling.—(1) With respect to activities conducted by personnel serving at Department medical centers, the Secretary shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the American Red Cross, and the working group under section 319F(a) of the Public Health Service Act, develop and maintain various strategies for providing mental health counseling and assistance, including counseling and assistance for post-traumatic stress disorder, to local and community emergency response providers, veterans, active duty military personnel, and individuals seeking care at Department medical centers following a bioterrorist attack or other public health emergency. (2) The strategies under paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) Training and certification of providers of mental health counseling and assistance. (B) Mechanisms for coordinating the provision of mental health counseling and assistance to emergency response providers referred to in that paragraph. (g) Authorization of Appropriations.—There is hereby authorized to be appropriated for the Department of Veterans Affairs amounts as follows: (1) To carry out activities required by subsection (a)— (A) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2002; and (B) such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2003 through 2006. (2) To carry out activities required by subsections (b) through (f)— (A) $33,000,000 for fiscal year 2002; and (B) such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2003 through 2006.