§300d–72. Nationwide media campaign to promote poison control center utilization

(a) In general

The Secretary shall carry out, and expand upon, a national media campaign to educate the public and health care providers about poison prevention and the availability of poison control center resources in local communities and to conduct advertising campaigns concerning the nationwide toll-free number established under section 300d–71(a) of this title.

(b) Contract with entity

The Secretary may carry out subsection (a) by entering into contracts with one or more public or private entities, including nationally recognized organizations in the field of poison control and national media firms, for the development and implementation of a nationwide poison prevention and poison control center awareness campaign, which may include-

(1) the development and distribution of poison prevention and poison control center awareness materials;

(2) television, radio, Internet, and newspaper public service announcements; and

(3) other activities to provide for public and professional awareness and education.

(c) Evaluation

The Secretary shall-

(1) establish baseline measures and benchmarks to quantitatively evaluate the impact of the nationwide media campaign carried out under this section; and

(2) on an annual basis, prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress, an evaluation of the nationwide media campaign.

(d) Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2009, and $800,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014.

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XII, §1272, as added Pub. L. 108–194, §3, Dec. 19, 2003, 117 Stat. 2889 ; amended Pub. L. 110–377, §4(a), Oct. 8, 2008, 122 Stat. 4064 .)

Amendments

2008-Pub. L. 110–377 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section required the Secretary to establish a national media campaign to educate the public and health care providers about poison control and prevention and authorized appropriations for fiscal years 2000 through 2009.

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Pub. L. 110–377, §4(b), Oct. 8, 2008, 122 Stat. 4065 , provided that: "The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall be effective on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 8, 2008] and shall apply to contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2009."