H.R. 6539

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6539 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6539

To permit the use of health care workforce platforms during declared 
emergencies, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 9, 2025

Mr. Rouzer introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To permit the use of health care workforce platforms during declared 
emergencies, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Strategic Teams for Organized 
Response Mobilization Act'' or the ``STORM Act''.

SEC. 2. USE OF HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE PLATFORMS DURING STATE OF 
EMERGENCY.

Title V of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5191 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following:

``SEC. 504. HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE PLATFORMS.

``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Emergency.--The term `emergency' means an emergency 
declared under section 501.
``(2) Health care workforce platform.--The term `health 
care workforce platform' means a private entity technology 
platform that--
``(A) partners with credentialed independent 
contractor health care workers;
``(B) has the capability to facilitate health care 
workforce surge capacity during an emergency; and
``(C) is self-sustaining during times other than 
those in which an emergency is declared.
``(3) Independent contractor health care worker.--The term 
`independent contractor health care worker' means a health care 
professional who--
``(A) holds a valid license to practice as a health 
care professional in not less than 1 State;
``(B) provides health care services on a 
contractual basis, rather than as an employee of a 
health care facility or organization;
``(C) is credentialed and verified by a health care 
workforce platform; and
``(D) is engaged to respond to health care needs 
during an emergency.
``(b) Public-Private Partnership.--
``(1) Certification.--The President may certify health care 
workforce platforms as eligible to enter into an agreement 
under paragraph (2).
``(2) Voluntary agreements.--
``(A) In general.--The President may enter into an 
agreement with a health care workforce platform 
certified under paragraph (1) under which the President 
may use the health care workforce platform for the 
duration of any emergency declared during the term of 
the agreement.
``(B) Term.--The duration of the term of an 
agreement entered into under subparagraph (A) shall be 
not less than 1 year.
``(c) Facilitation of State Licensure Waivers.--
``(1) In general.--During any emergency, the President may 
coordinate with States to facilitate a waiver of licensure 
requirements of the State for out-of-state independent 
contractor health care workers responding to an emergency 
through a health care workforce platform with which the 
President has entered into an agreement under subsection (b)(2) 
if--
``(A) the services of the independent contractor 
health care worker are being used by the President or 
the State or a local government affected by the 
emergency for the purpose of responding to the 
emergency; and
``(B) the independent contractor health care worker 
holds a valid license to practice as a health care 
worker in not less than 1 State.
``(2) Procedures and criteria.--The President shall 
establish model procedures and criteria for the waiver of State 
licensure requirements under paragraph (1) that a State 
affected by an emergency may adopt at the time of the emergency 
that--
``(A) include requirements that independent 
contractor health care workers demonstrate 
qualifications and undergo background checks;
``(B) prioritize the expedited deployment of 
qualified independent contractor health care workers to 
areas affected by an emergency; and
``(C) may rely on vetting of independent contractor 
health care workers by a health care workforce platform 
with which the President has entered into an agreement 
under subsection (b)(2).
``(3) Coordination with state authorities.--In carrying out 
this subsection, the President shall--
``(A) coordinate with relevant State authorities to 
ensure the efficient implementation of licensure 
waivers or temporary licenses; and
``(B) consider State-specific regulations and 
requirements.
``(d) Reporting Requirements.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of the Strategic Teams for Organized Response Mobilization 
Act, and annually thereafter, the President shall submit to Congress a 
report on the use of State licensure waivers during emergencies under 
this section, including--
``(1) information on the number of independent contractor 
health care workers for whom a State waives a licensure 
requirement under subsection (c)(1) to facilitate deployment 
during an emergency;
``(2) the duration of the deployment of independent 
contractor health care workers described in paragraph (1); and
``(3) any challenges encountered in the process of carrying 
out subsection (c)(1).
``(e) Liability Protections.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), an independent 
contractor health care worker or health care workforce platform 
that engages in activities authorized under this title and 
complies with or reasonably attempt to comply with this title 
shall not be liable for any injury or damage sustained to a 
person or property as a result of such activities.
``(2) Exception.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply in a case 
of willful misconduct, gross negligence, or bad faith.
``(3) Federal tort claims act.--Any private entity, 
including an independent contractor health care worker and a 
health care workforce platform, that enters into a contract or 
agreement with the Federal Government or acts at the direction 
of a Federal agency to respond to an emergency during an 
emergency the primary responsibility for the response to which 
the President determines rests with the United States under 
section 501(b), shall be deemed an employee of the government 
for purposes of chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code, 
with respect to claims arising from acts or omissions within 
the scope of such contract or agreement.
``(4) Applicability.--This subsection shall apply only to 
activities--
``(A) conducted in response to an emergency the 
primary responsibility for the response to which the 
President determines rests with the United States under 
section 501(b); and
``(B) that are within the scope of the duties 
authorized by this Act.
``(5) Regulations.--The President shall issue such 
regulations as are necessary to implement this section, 
including regulations to determine the applicability of chapter 
171 of title 28, United States Code, to independent contractor 
health care workers and health care workforce platforms under 
this section.''.
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