6 U.S. Code § 323 - Guidance on how to prevent exposure to and release of PFAS

(a) In general

Not later than 1 year after December 20, 2022, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Administrator of the United States Fire Administration, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the heads of any other relevant agencies, shall—

(1) develop and publish guidance for firefighters and other emergency response personnel on training, education programs, and best practices;

(2) make available a curriculum designed to—

(A) reduce and eliminate exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (commonly referred to as “PFAS”) from firefighting foam and personal protective equipment;

(B) prevent the release of PFAS from firefighting foam into the environment; and

(C) educate firefighters and other emergency response personnel on foams and non-foam alternatives, personal protective equipment, and other firefighting tools and equipment that do not contain PFAS; and

(3) create an online public repository, which shall be updated on a regular basis, on tools and best practices for firefighters and other emergency response personnel to reduce, limit, and prevent the release of and exposure to PFAS.

(b) Curriculum

(1) In general

For the purpose of developing the curriculum required under subsection (a)(2), the Administrator of the United States Fire Administration shall make recommendations to the Secretary of Homeland Security as to the content of the curriculum.

(2) Consultation

For the purpose of making recommendations under paragraph (1), the Administrator of the United States Fire Administration shall consult with interested entities, as appropriate, including—

(A) firefighters and other emergency response personnel, including national fire service and emergency response organizations;

(B) impacted communities dealing with PFAS contamination;

(C) scientists, including public and occupational health and safety experts, who are studying PFAS and PFAS alternatives in firefighting foam;

(D) voluntary standards organizations engaged in developing standards for firefighter and firefighting equipment;

(E) State fire training academies;

(F) State fire marshals;

(G) manufacturers of firefighting tools and equipment; and

(H) any other relevant entities, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Administrator of the United States Fire Administration.

(c) Review

Not later than 3 years after the date on which the guidance and curriculum required under subsection (a) is issued, and not less frequently than once every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Administrator of the United States Fire Administration, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, shall review the guidance and curriculum and, as appropriate, issue updates to the guidance and curriculum.

(d) Applicability of FACA

The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) [1] shall not apply to this Act.

(e) Rule of construction

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to promulgate or enforce regulations under subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5 (commonly known as the “Administrative Procedure Act”).

(Pub. L. 117–248, § 2, Dec. 20, 2022, 136 Stat. 2348.)

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[1]  See References in Text note below.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Federal Advisory Committee Act, referred to in subsec. (d), is Pub. L. 92–463, Oct. 6, 1972, 86 Stat. 770, which was set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, and was substantially repealed and restated in chapter 10 (§ 1001 et seq.) of Title 5 by Pub. L. 117–286, §§ 3(a), 7, Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4197, 4361. For disposition of sections of the Act into chapter 10 of Title 5, see Disposition Table preceding section 101 of Title 5.

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances Act, also known as the PFAS Act, and not as part of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 which comprises this chapter.