H.R. 6977

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6977 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6977

To provide for the periodic issuance of up-to-date clinical guidance on 
addressing the health effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances 
(PFAS), and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 8, 2026

Ms. Dexter (for herself and Mr. Lawler) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To provide for the periodic issuance of up-to-date clinical guidance on 
addressing the health effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances 
(PFAS), 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 ``Better Care for PFAS Patients Act of 
2026''.

SEC. 2. PFAS HEALTH EFFECTS ASSESSMENT, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND GUIDANCE.

(a) Periodic Assessment and Recommendations.--
(1) Agreement.--The Director of the Agency for Toxic 
Substances and Disease Registry (in this section referred to as 
the ``Director'') shall enter into an agreement with the 
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (or 
another appropriate entity if the National Academies declines 
to enter into such agreement) under which the National 
Academies or the other appropriate entity agrees--
(A) to assess the health effects of per- and 
polyfluoroalkyl substances (in this section referred to 
as ``PFAS'') that can be measured in human tissues;
(B) to formulate clinical recommendations on 
addressing such health effects;
(C) not later than 2 years after the date of entry 
into such agreement, to complete the initial assessment 
under subparagraph (A) and formulate the initial 
recommendations under subparagraph (B); and
(D) to update the most recent assessment and 
recommendations under this paragraph--
(i) every 5 years; or
(ii) more frequently as determined 
necessary by the Director based on an 
assessment of the science.
(2) Consultation.--In carrying out the assessments under 
paragraph (1), the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, 
and Medicine or other appropriate entity shall engage with PFAS 
exposed communities and solicit input from members of such 
communities regarding their experiences with PFAS exposure, 
testing, and clinical follow-up.
(3) Timing of entry into agreement.--The Director shall 
enter into the agreement required by paragraph (1) not later 
than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
(b) Up-to-Date Guidance.--Based on the results of the most recent 
assessment and recommendations under subsection (a), the Director, in 
consultation with the entity with which the Director enters into the 
agreement under subsection (a), shall--
(1) not later than 5 years after the date of entry into the 
agreement required by subsection (a)--
(A) issue up-to-date clinical guidance on 
addressing the health effects of PFAS;
(B) post such guidance on the public website of the 
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry; and
(C) disseminate such guidance to State and local 
public health authorities and appropriate health care 
professionals; and
(2) every 5 years thereafter, or more frequently as 
determined necessary by the Director based on an assessment of 
the science, issue, post, and disseminate up-to-date guidance 
as described in paragraph (1).
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