Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2026

This Act may be cited as the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2026.
Section 379B of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 274m) is amended—
by striking appropriated $31,009,000 and inserting the following:
appropriated—
$31,009,000
in paragraph (1), as so inserted, by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and
by adding at the end the following:
$33,009,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Section 2(g) of the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 274k note) is amended by striking 2026 and inserting 2031.
This Act may be cited as the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2026.
Section 379B of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 274m) is amended—
by striking appropriated $31,009,000 and inserting the following:
appropriated—
$31,009,000
in paragraph (1), as so inserted, by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and
by adding at the end the following:
$33,009,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Section 2 of the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 274k note) is amended—
in subsection (a), by striking the inventory goal of at least 150,000 new units of high-quality cord blood and inserting a sufficient supply, as determined by the Secretary, of high-quality cord blood units;
in subsection (c)—
in paragraph (2), by striking in perpetuity or; and
by amending paragraph (5) to read as follows:
agree to the terms described in subsection (e).
in subsection (d)—
in paragraph (1), by striking paragraph (2) and inserting paragraphs (2) and (4); and
in paragraph (4)—
in the heading, by striking science and inserting available scientific and clinical evidence; and
by striking the best scientific information available in order to maximize the number of cord blood units available and inserting current scientific and clinical information in order to maximize the availability of high-quality cord blood units meeting applicable clinical and quality standards;
by redesignating subsections (e) through (g) as subsections (g) through (i), respectively;
by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
If the Secretary determines through an assessment, or through petition by a qualified cord blood bank, that a cord blood bank is no longer operational, does not meet clinical and quality standards informed by current scientific and clinical information, does not meet the requirements for an extension under subsection (d), or does not meet the requirements of section 379(d)(4) of the Public Health Service Act, and as a result may not distribute the units, the Secretary may transfer the units collected by such cord blood bank pursuant to this section to another qualified cord blood bank or entity approved by the Secretary to ensure continued availability of high-quality cord blood units.
The Secretary, in consultation with the Advisory Council on Blood Stem Cell Transplantation as appropriate, shall manage the size and composition of the National Cord Blood Inventory to maximize clinical utility, ensure genetic diversity, and promote the efficient use of Federal resources.
In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary may—
on the initiative of the Secretary or upon petition by a qualified cord blood bank, make determinations regarding the continued storage of cord blood units based on the best available scientific and clinical evidence; and
prioritize the collection, retention, or disposition of cord blood units based on scientific, clinical, or operational considerations, as the Secretary determines appropriate.
in subsection (h), as so redesignated—
by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively; and
by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
The term high-quality cord blood unit means a unit of cord blood that meets current industry standards and requirements of the Food and Drug Administration.
in subsection (i), as so redesignated, by striking 2022 through 2026 and inserting 2027 through 2031.
Section 379(o) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 274k(o)) is amended—
in paragraph (1)—
by striking Not less and inserting Beginning 1 year after the date of enactment of the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2026, not less; and
by striking and birthing tissues and inserting , high-quality cord blood units (as defined in section 2(h) of the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005), and other emergent technologies; and
in paragraph (2), by striking June 30, 2025 and inserting 3 years after the date of enactment of the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2026.