Active legislation 9 Sept 2005

Congress returned early—on Sept 2—for its fall session, receiving reports of matters taking place during recess and addressing the crisis resulting from Hurricane Katrina. Work resumed on Sept 6. The following bills are included in the “active legislation” list—bills that have been receiving legislative or media attention. I have included bills related to cloning. This list, arranged by subject, was updated Sept 9, 2005.

Stem cell research, adult

S.1317 A bill to provide for the collection and maintenance of cord blood units for the treatment of patients and research, and to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Bone Marrow and Cord Blood Cell Transplantation Program to increase the number of transplants for recipients suitable matched to donors of bone marrow and cord blood. Sponsor: Sen Hatch, Orrin G. [UT] (introduced 6/27/2005)      Cosponsors (30) Related Bills: H.R.2520 Latest Major Action: 8/31/2005 By Senator Enzi from Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions filed written report under authority of the order of the Senate of 07/29/2005. Report No. 109-129.

H.R.2520 To provide for the collection and maintenance of human cord blood stem cells for the treatment of patients and research, and to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program. Sponsor: Rep Smith, Christopher H. [NJ-4] (introduced 5/23/2005)  Cosponsors (78) Related Bills: S.1317 Latest Major Action: 5/26/2005 Received in the Senate.

H.R.2541 To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for the expansion, intensification, and coordination of the activities of the National Institutes of Health regarding qualifying adult stem cell research, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep King, Peter T. [NY-3] (introduced 5/23/2005)  Cosponsors (4) Latest Major Action: 6/17/2005 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

The following additional bill was previously listed as active:

S.681 A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a National Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank Network to prepare, store, and distribute human umbilical cord blood stem cells for the treatment of patients and to support peer-reviewed research using such cells. Sponsor: Sen Hatch, Orrin G. [UT] (introduced 3/17/2005)Cosponsors (8) Related Bills: H.R.596 Latest Major Action: 3/17/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Stem cell research, embryonic

S.471 A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for human embryonic stem cell research. Sponsor: Sen Specter, Arlen [PA] (introduced 2/28/2005)  Cosponsors (40) Related Bills: H.R.810 Latest Major Action: 2/28/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.876 A bill to prohibit human cloning and protect stem cell research. Sponsor: Sen Hatch, Orrin G. [UT] (introduced 4/21/2005)  Cosponsors (12) Related Bills: H.R.1822 Latest Major Action: 4/21/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

S.1557 A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for a program at the National Institutes of Health to conduct and support research in the derivation and use of human pluripotent stem cells by means that do not harm human embryos, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen Coburn, Tom [OK] (introduced 7/29/2005)Cosponsors (1) Related Bills: H.R.3144 Latest Major Action: 7/29/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

H.R.810 To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for human embryonic stem cell research. Sponsor: Rep Castle, Michael N. [DE] (introduced 2/15/2005)  Cosponsors (200) Related Bills: S.471 Latest Major Action: 7/12/2005 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. Hearings held.

Cloning, prohibit human cloning

S.658 A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to prohibit human cloning. Sponsor: Sen Brownback, Sam [KS] (introduced 3/17/2005)  Cosponsors (32) Related Bills: H.R.1357 Latest Major Action: 3/17/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.876 A bill to prohibit human cloning and protect stem cell research. Sponsor: Sen Hatch, Orrin G. [UT] (introduced 4/21/2005)Cosponsors (12) Related Bills: H.R.1822 Latest Major Action: 4/21/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

S.1520 A bill to prohibit human cloning. Sponsor: Sen Feinstein, Dianne [CA] (introduced 7/27/2005)  Cosponsors (28) Latest Major Action: 7/27/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

H.R.1357 To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit human cloning. Sponsor: Rep Weldon, Dave [FL-15] (introduced 3/17/2005)Cosponsors (122) Related Bills: S.658 Latest Major Action: 4/4/2005 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

H.R.1822 To prohibit human cloning and protect stem cell research. Sponsor: Rep Bono, Mary [CA-45] (introduced 4/26/2005)Cosponsors (4) Related Bills: S.876 Latest Major Action: 5/13/2005 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Marie Godfrey, PhD <!--break-->