Biosecurity Modernization and Innovation Act

This bill would require companies that make and sell DNA or RNA (nucleic acids), or that sell equipment to make them, including benchtop synthesizers, to set up screening programs. These companies would have to verify buyers' identities, find out why buyers want the sequences, check orders against a federal list of risky sequences, document refused sales, notify the Secretary of Commerce about likely dangerous buyers, and keep records for at least 5 years. The Secretary of Commerce would create and update the list of covered sequences, issue guidance, and could sue companies for violations, with penalties of up to $750,000 per violation after a 30-day chance to fix the problem. The bill would block state laws covered by these requirements, with exceptions for areas such as contract, consumer protection, and public health law. The requirements would take effect 1 year after the bill becomes law.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• August Pfluger Republican sponsor
• 1 cosponsors