S. 252, the ‘‘Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers Who Deliver Infants Early (PREEMIE) Reauthorization Act’’

S. 252 authorizes or reauthorizes three public health programs.  

Title I of the bill reauthorizes and improves the Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers Who Deliver Infants Early Reauthorization Act (PREEMIE) Act.  This title reauthorizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention research, surveillance, and prevention activities.  It also extends provider training and public education activities and incorporates the use of telehealth technology for use among high-risk pregnancies.  Furthermore, Title I formalizes a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Advisory Committee on Infant Mortality that will be tasked with examining preterm birth activities across the Department. 

Title II of S. 252 allows for the establishment of a national pediatric research network by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) dedicated to finding treatments and cures for pediatric diseases and conditions, especially those that are rare.  Special emphasis is placed on professional training for future pediatric researchers.  This title builds upon a strong body of existing research NIH currently conducts and supports. 

Title III of the legislation enhances the 2000 Chimpanzee Health Improvement Maintenance and Protection (CHIMP) Act and allows NIH to fulfill its commitment to retire hundreds of chimpanzees from research.  The title authorizes spending for care and maintenance of chimpanzees owned or controlled by NIH, out of amounts made available to the agency, for fiscal years 2014 through 2018.  Provisions in this title ensure NIH can continue implementing recommendations of the Institute of Medicine regarding the use of chimpanzees in research and transition of chimpanzees to a sanctuary upon retirement from research.

S. 252 was signed into law on November 27, 2013, as Public Law 113-55.