Bioterrorism Act Health Law Individuals Government Made Include

In June 2002, the United States government "enacted" (made into law) the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness Response Act, "commonly known as" (most often referred to as) The Bioterrorism Act of 2002. The law is "intended" (meant; planned) to protect Americans from bioterrorism by requiring individuals and organizations to "register" (officially state in writing that one has or owns something) certain "agents" and toxins that could "pose a threat" (potentially create problems for) to the health of "living organisms" (plants and animals, including humans).

The Bioterrorism Act of 2002 also "restricts" (limits; does not allow) certain individuals from "possessing" (having) agents and toxins. These individuals include people who have broken certain laws in the past, people with mental health problems, "illegal aliens" (people living in the country without legal permission), and anyone who has been "dishonorably discharged" (told to leave the Army, Navy, or Marines due to poor behavior) from the U.S. "Armed Services" (military). One of the more "controversial" (with differing opinions about whether something is good or bad) "aspects" (parts; components) of the law is that the restricted individuals include aliens (non-U.S. citizens) who are "nationals" (people originally from a particular country) of specific countries that have been determined to support international terrorism.

The Bioterrorism Act of 2002 also "addresses" (talks about) how "emergency rooms" (the parts of a hospital that provide urgent care for serious problems) are prepared for terrorist attacks. In addition, the law "tightened" (made more restrictive) food inspections and tried to improve protection of country's water supply.