[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1701 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1701
To permit the use of health care workforce platforms during declared
emergencies, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 8, 2025
Mr. Budd introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
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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