42 U.S.C. § 300hh–10b — National Advisory Committee on Children and Disasters

(a) Establishment. The Secretary, working with the Secretary of Homeland Security, must set up the National Advisory Committee on Children and Disasters. (b) Duties. The Advisory Committee must: (1) advise on activities carried out under section 300hh–16 (the at-risk individuals coordinator's work); (2) evaluate and give input on children's medical, mental, behavioral, developmental, and public health needs before, during, and after all-hazards emergencies; (3) advise on state emergency preparedness activities involving children, including drills tied to the preparedness goals in section 300hh–1(b); and (4) advise on keeping up children's care and education, and supporting parents and caregivers, during emergencies. (c) Additional duties. The Advisory Committee may also advise the Secretary on children's issues within medical and public health preparedness grants under this subchapter and subchapter II. (d) Membership. (1) The Secretary appoints up to 25 members and must make sure the total number is odd. (2) At least 13 must be non-federal members, including: (A) at least 2 professionals with expertise in pediatric disaster planning, preparedness, response, or recovery; (B) at least 2 representatives from state, local, tribal, or territorial agencies with that same expertise; (C) at least 4 health care professionals, who may specialize in pediatric emergency medicine; trauma, critical care, or surgery; treating children hurt by chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear agents, including new diseases; pediatric mental health; or pediatric primary care; (D) at least 4 non-federal members from child care, state or local education agencies, disability experts, or parents; and (E) other members as the Secretary sees fit, including at least one from a children's hospital, one with expertise in children and youth with special health needs, and one with expertise in the needs of parents or family caregivers, including those caring for children with disabilities. (3) The committee must also include these federal members or their designees, who may be non-voting: the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response; the Director of BARDA; the Director of the CDC; the Commissioner of Food and Drugs; the Director of the NIH; the Assistant Secretary of the Administration for Children and Families; the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration; the Administrator of FEMA; the Administrator of the Administration for Community Living; the Secretary of Education; and representatives from other agencies, such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration or the Department of Homeland Security, as needed. (4) Members appointed under paragraph (2) serve three-year terms, though the Secretary can adjust existing members' terms to stagger them. (5) A member may serve up to three terms total, and no more than two of those terms in a row. (e) Meetings. The Advisory Committee must meet at least twice a year, with at least one meeting held in person. (f) Coordination. The Secretary must coordinate this committee's work as required under section 300hh–10e. (g) Sunset. The Advisory Committee ends on December 31, 2026.