This bill would direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to give surplus anthrax vaccines and antimicrobials from the national stockpile to be used voluntarily by first responders across the country.

DHS would establish the logistical and tracking systems to make the vaccines and antimicrobials available to first responders wherever they are needed in the U.S., and would also distribute disclosures describing potential risks to users. DHS would also have to:

• Support risk assessments of how threatening anthrax (in an act of is to homeland security.

• Leverage homeland security intelligence capabilities and structures to enhance prevention, protection, and recovery efforts in an anthrax attack.

• Share information and offer analytical support on the threat of anthrax attacks to state, local, and tribal authorities — as well as other national biosecurity and biodefense stakeholders.

A pilot program lasting at least 18 months would be carried out to administer these vaccines and antimicrobials to first responders. This program would involve a communication platform, training, economic analysis, and logistics system to handle vaccine requests. DHS would pick providers in at least two states to participate in the program, and also give those providers disclosures about the risks of the vaccines and antimicrobials.