US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

42 U.S.C. § 247c

Sexually transmitted diseases; prevention and control projects and programs

(a)

Technical assistance to public and nonprofit private entities and scientific institutions

The Secretary may provide technical assistance to appropriate public and nonprofit private entities and to scientific institutions for their research in, and training and public health programs for, the prevention and control of sexually transmitted diseases.

(b)

Research, demonstration, and public information and education projects

The Secretary may make grants to States, political subdivisions of States, and any other public and nonprofit private entity for—
(1)
research into the prevention and control of sexually transmitted diseases;
(2)
demonstration projects for the prevention and control of sexually transmitted diseases;
(3)
public information and education programs for the prevention and control of such diseases; and
(4)
education, training, and clinical skills improvement activities in the prevention and control of such diseases for health professionals (including allied health personnel).
(c)

Project grants to States

The Secretary is also authorized to make proj­ect grants to States and, in consultation with the State health authority, to political subdivisions of States, for—
(1)
sexually transmitted diseases surveillance activities, including the reporting, screening, and followup of diagnostic tests for, and diagnosed cases of, sexually transmitted diseases;
(2)
casefinding and case followup activities respecting sexually transmitted diseases, including contact tracing of infectious cases of sexually transmitted diseases and routine testing, including laboratory tests and followup systems;
(3)
interstate epidemiologic referral and followup activities respecting sexually transmitted diseases; and
(4)
such special studies or demonstrations to evaluate or test sexually transmitted diseases prevention and control strategies and activities as may be prescribed by the Secretary.
(d)

Grants for innovative, interdisciplinary approaches

The Secretary may make grants to States and political subdivisions of States for the development, implementation, and evaluation of innovative, interdisciplinary approaches to the prevention and control of sexually transmitted diseases.

(e)

Authorization of appropriations; terms and conditions; payments; recordkeeping; audit; grant reduction; information disclosure

(1)
For the purpose of making grants under subsections (b) through (d), there are authorized to be appropriated $85,000,000 for fiscal year 1994, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 1995 through 1998.
(2)
Each recipient of a grant under this section shall keep such records as the Secretary shall prescribe, including records which fully disclose the amount and disposition by such recipient of the proceeds of such grant, the total cost of the project or undertaking in connection with which such grant was given or used, and the amount of that portion of the cost of the project or undertaking supplied by other sources, and such other records as will facilitate an effective audit.
(3)
The Secretary and the Comptroller General of the United States, or any of their duly authorized representatives, shall have access for the purpose of audit and examination to any books, documents, papers, and records of the recipients of grants under this section that are pertinent to such grants.
(4)
The Secretary, at the request of a recipient of a grant under this section, may reduce such grant by the fair market value of any supplies or equipment furnished to such recipient and by the amount of pay, allowances, travel expenses, and any other costs in connection with the detail of an officer or employee of the United States to the recipient when the furnishing of such supplies or equipment or the detail of such an officer or employee is for the convenience of and at the request of such recipient and for the purpose of carrying out the program with respect to which the grant under this section is made. The amount by which any such grant is so reduced shall be available for payment by the Secretary of the costs incurred in furnishing the supplies, equipment, or personal services on which the reduction of such grant is based.
(5)
All information obtained in connection with the examination, care, or treatment of any individual under any program which is being carried out with a grant made under this section shall not, without such individual’s consent, be disclosed except as may be necessary to provide service to him or as may be required by a law of a state or political subdivision of a State. Information derived from any such program may be disclosed—
(A)
in summary, statistical, or other form; or
(B)
for clinical or research purposes;
but only if the identity of the individuals diagnosed or provided care or treatment under such program is not disclosed.
(f)

Consent of individuals

Nothing in this section shall be construed to require any State or any political subdivision of a State to have a sexually transmitted diseases program which would require any person, who objects to any treatment provided under such a program, to be treated under such a program.

July 1, 1944, ch. 373Pub. L. 92–449, title II, § 20386 Stat. 751Pub. L. 94–317, title II, § 203(b)90 Stat. 704Pub. L. 94–484, title IX, § 905(b)(2)90 Stat. 2325Pub. L. 95–626, title II, § 204(b)(1)92 Stat. 3583Pub. L. 96–32, § 6(j)93 Stat. 84Pub. L. 97–35, title IX, § 92995 Stat. 569Pub. L. 98–555, § 398 Stat. 2854Pub. L. 100–607, title III, § 311102 Stat. 3112Pub. L. 103–183, title IV, § 401107 Stat. 2236Pub. L. 105–392, title IV, § 401(b)(2)112 Stat. 3587(, title III, § 318, as added , , ; amended –(i), , , 705; , , ; , (c), (d), , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , (c), , .)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

act July 1, 1944, ch. 373Pub. L. 88–443, § 278 Stat. 447Pub. L. 89–749, § 680 Stat. 1190A prior section 247c, title III, § 318, as added , , , related to grants for assisting in the areawide planning of health and related facilities, prior to repeal by , , eff. .

Amendments

Pub. L. 105–392, § 401(b)(2)1998—Subsec. (e). , redesignated subsec. (e), relating to consent of individuals, as (f).

Pub. L. 105–392, § 401(c)Pub. L. 103–183, § 401(c)(3)Subsec. (e)(5). , made technical amendment to directory language of . See 1993 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 105–392, § 401(b)(2)Subsec. (f). , redesignated subsec. (e), relating to consent of individuals, as (f).

Pub. L. 103–183, § 401(c)(1)1993—Subsec. (b)(3). , substituted “; and” for “, and”.

Pub. L. 103–183, § 401(c)(2)Subsec. (c)(3). , which directed the substitution of “; and” for “, and”, could not be executed because “, and” did not appear.

Pub. L. 103–183, § 401(a)(2)Subsec. (d). , added subsec. (d). Former subsec. (d) redesignated (e).

Pub. L. 103–183, § 401(a)(1)Subsec. (e). , redesignated subsec. (d), relating to authorization of appropriations, etc., as (e).

Pub. L. 103–183, § 401(b)Subsec. (e)(1). , amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: “For the purpose of making grants under subsections (b) and (c) of this section there are authorized to be appropriated $45,000,000 for the fiscal year ending , $51,500,000 for the fiscal year ending , $59,000,000 for the fiscal year ending , $40,000,000 for the fiscal year ending , $46,500,000 for the fiscal year ending , $50,000,000 for the fiscal year ending , $57,000,000 for the fiscal year ending , $62,500,000 for the fiscal year ending , $68,000,000 for the fiscal year ending , $78,000,000 for fiscal year 1989, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 1990 and 1991. For grants under subsection (b) of this section in any fiscal year, the Secretary shall obligate not less than 10 per centum of the amount appropriated for such fiscal year under the preceding sentence. Grants made under subsection (b) or (c) of this section shall be made on such terms and conditions as the Secretary finds necessary to carry out the purposes of such subsection, and payments under any such grants shall be made in advance or by way of reimbursement and in such installments as the Secretary finds necessary.”

Pub. L. 103–183, § 401(c)(3)Pub. L. 105–392, § 401(c)Subsec. (e)(5). , as amended by , substituted “form; or” for “form, or” in subpar. (A) and “purposes;” for “purposes,” in subpar. (B).

Pub. L. 100–607, § 311(1)1988—, amended section catchline.

Pub. L. 100–607, § 311(2)Subsec. (d). , (3), redesignated subsec. (e) as (d) and struck out former subsec. (d) which related to acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Pub. L. 100–607, § 311(4)Subsec. (d)(1). , substituted “(b) and (c)” for “(b), (c), and (d)”, struck out “and” after “1986,”, and inserted “, $78,000,000 for fiscal year 1989, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 1990 and 1991” before period at end of first sentence; substituted “(b) or (c)” for “(b), (c), or (d)” in third sentence; and struck out at end “If the appropriations under the first sentence for fiscal year 1985 exceed $50,000,000, one-half of the amount in excess of $50,000,000 shall be made available for grants under subsection (d) of this section; if the appropriations under the first sentence for fiscal year 1986 exceed $52,500,000, one-half of the amount in excess of $52,500,000 shall be made available for such grants; and if the appropriations under the first sentence for fiscal year 1987 exceed $55,000,000, one-half of the amount in excess of $55,000,000 shall be made available for such grants.”

Pub. L. 100–607, § 311(2)Subsecs. (e) to (g). , (3), struck out subsec. (f) which related to conditional limitation on use of funds and redesignated subsecs. (e) and (g) as (d) and (e), respectively.

Pub. L. 98–555, § 3(b)(1)1984—Subsec. (a). , substituted “research in, and training and public health programs for, the prevention and control of sexually transmitted diseases” for “research, training, and public health programs for the prevention and control of venereal disease”.

Pub. L. 98–555, § 3(b)(2)Subsec. (b). , in amending subsec. (b) generally, designated existing provisions as pars. (1) to (3), added par. (4), and substituted references to sexually transmitted diseases for reference to venereal disease.

Pub. L. 98–555, § 3(b)(3)Subsec. (c). , (6)(A), substituted “sexually transmitted diseases” for “venereal disease” wherever appearing, struck out par. (4) relating to professional venereal disease education, training and clinical skills improvement activities, and redesignated par. (5) as (4).

Pub. L. 98–555, § 3(b)(5)(A)Subsec. (d). , added subsec. (d). Former subsec. (d) redesignated (e).

Pub. L. 98–555, § 3(a)Subsec. (e). , (b)(4), (5), redesignated subsec. (d) as (e), and in par. (1) of subsec. (e) as so redesignated, substituted “(b), (c), and (d)” for “(b) and (c)”, inserted provisions authorizing appropriations for fiscal years ending , 1986, and 1987, substituted “10 per centum” for “5 per centum”, and inserted provisions directing that one-half the excess of appropriations in fiscal years 1985, 1986, and 1987 over certain amounts be made available for grants under subsec. (d). Notwithstanding language of section 3(b)(5)(B)(ii) directing the substitution of “(b), (c), or (d)” for “(b) or (c)” in second sentence of subsec. (e)(1), the amendment was executed by making the substitution in third sentence of subsec. (e)(1) to reflect the probable intent of Congress because “(b) or (c)” did not appear in second sentence. Former subsec. (e) redesignated (f).

Pub. L. 98–555, § 3(b)(5)(A)Subsecs. (f), (g). , (6)(A), (C), redesignated subsecs. (e) and (f) as (f) and (g), respectively, in subsecs. (f) and (g) as so redesignated, substituted “sexually transmitted diseases” for “venereal disease”, and struck out former subsec. (g) which defined venereal disease.

Pub. L. 97–351981—Subsec. (d)(1). inserted provisions authorizing appropriations for fiscal years ending , 1983, and 1984.

Pub. L. 96–32Pub. L. 95–626, § 204(c)(2)1979—Subsec. (b). amended directory language of , and required no change in text. See 1978 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 95–626, § 204(c)(2)Pub. L. 96–321978—Subsec. (b). , as amended by , substituted “research, demonstrations, and public information and education for the prevention and control of venereal disease” for “research, demonstrations, education, and training for the prevention and control of venereal disease”, struck out “(1)” preceding provisions thus amended, and struck out par. (2) which authorized appropriation of $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1976, $6,600,000 for fiscal year 1977, and $7,600,000 for fiscal year 1978 for purpose of carrying out this subsection.

Pub. L. 95–626, § 204(d)Subsec. (c). , struck out “(1)” after “(c)” at beginning of existing provisions, changed designations at beginning of each of the five clauses from “(A)”, “(B)”, “(C)”, “(D)”, and “(E)” to “(1)”, “(2)”, “(3)”, “(4)”, and “(5)”, respectively, substituted “The Secretary is also authorized” for “The Secretary is authorized” in provisions preceding cl. (1) as redesignated, substituted “professional (including appropriate allied health personnel) venereal disease education, training and clinical skills improvement activities” for “professional and public venereal disease education activities” in cl. (4) as redesignated, and struck out former par. (2) which had authorized appropriations of $32,000,000 for fiscal year 1976, $41,500,000 for fiscal year 1977, and $43,500,000 for fiscal year 1978.

Pub. L. 95–626, § 204(c)(1)Subsec. (d)(1). , inserted provisions authorizing appropriations of $45,000,000 for fiscal year ending , $51,500,000 for fiscal year ending , and $59,000,000 for fiscal year ending , for purpose of making grants under subsecs. (b) and (c) of this section, and inserted provisions directing Secretary to obligate not less than 5 per centum of amount appropriated for any fiscal year.

Pub. L. 95–626, § 204(b)(1)section 247b of this titleSubsec. (f). , redesignated subsec. (g) as (f). Former subsec. (f), requiring that not to exceed 50 per centum of amounts appropriated for any fiscal year under subsecs. (b) and (c) of this section could be used by Secretary for grants for such fiscal year under , was struck out.

Pub. L. 95–626, § 204(b)(1)Subsec. (g). , redesignated subsec. (h) as (g). Former subsec. (g) redesignated (f).

Pub. L. 94–317, § 203(c)1976—Subsec. (a). , substituted “public and nonprofit private entities and to” for “public authorities and”.

Pub. L. 94–317, § 203(i)Subsec. (b)(1). , inserted “education,” before “and training”.

Pub. L. 94–317, § 203(b)(1)Subsec. (b)(2). , substituted provisions authorizing appropriations of $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1976, $6,600,000 for fiscal year 1977, and $7,600,000 for fiscal year 1978, for provisions authorizing appropriations of $7,500,000 for fiscal year ending , and for each of the next two fiscal years.

Pub. L. 94–484section 203(f)(1) of Pub. L. 94–317Subsec. (c). , purported to amend former subsec. (c)(1) by defining “State” to include the Northern Mariana Islands. Former subsec. (c) of this section had been previously repealed by . See par. below.

Pub. L. 94–317, § 203(b)(2), (d), (e), (f)(1), (3), (8), redesignated subsec. (d) as (c), inserted, in par. (1)(B), reference to routine testing, including laboratory tests and followup systems and substituted in par. (1)(E). “prevention and control strategies and activities” for “control” and, in par. (2), provisions authorizing appropriations of $32,000,000 for fiscal year 1976, $41,500,000 for fiscal year 1977, and $43,500,000 for fiscal year 1978, for provisions authorizing appropriations of $30,000,000 for the fiscal year ending , and for each of the next two succeeding fiscal years. Former subsec. (c), which provided for authorization of appropriations to enable the Secretary to make grants to state health authorities to establish and maintain programs for diagnosis and treatment of venereal disease was amended by striking out reference to dark-field microscope techniques for diagnosis of both gonorrhea an syphilis, and as so amended, was repealed.

Pub. L. 94–317, § 203(f)(2)Subsec. (d). , (4), (5), (8), redesignated subsec. (e) as (d), substituted in par. (1) “or (c)” for “or (d)”, struck out in par. (4) provisions relating to the amount of reduction of a grant under former subsec. (c) whereby such amount shall be deemed a part of the grant to the recipient of the grant and shall be deemed to have been paid to such recipient, and inserted in par. (5) reference to requirement by law of a State or political subdivision of a state. Former subsec. (d) redesignated (c).

Pub. L. 94–317, § 203(f)(8)Subsec. (e). , (g), redesignated subsec. (f) as (e) and substituted “247b(g)(2) of this title” for “247b(d)(4) of this title”. Former subsec. (e) redesignated (d).

Pub. L. 94–317, § 203(f)(6)Subsec. (f). , (8), redesignated subsec. (g) as (f) and substituted “and (c)” for “, (c), and (d)”. Former subsec. (f) redesignated (e).

Pub. L. 94–317, § 203(f)(7)Subsec. (g). , (8), redesignated subsec. (h) as (g) and struck out “treated or to have any child or ward of his” after “a program, to be”. Former subsec. (g) redesignated (f).

Pub. L. 94–317, § 203(h)Subsec. (h). , added subsec. (h). Former subsec. (h) redesignated (g).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1998 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–392Pub. L. 103–183section 401(e) of Pub. L. 105–392section 242m of this titleAmendment by deemed to have taken effect immediately after enactment of , see , set out as a note under .

Distribution of Information on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome by Director of Centers for Disease Control to Every American Household

Pub. L. 100–202, § 101(h) [title II]101 Stat. 1329–256

Public Law 100–71101 Stat. 391“That the Director shall cause to be distributed without necessary clearance of the content by any official, organization or office, an AIDS mailer to every American household by , as approved and funded by the Congress in [, ].”
, , , 1329–365, provided:

Congressional Findings and Declarations

Pub. L. 95–626, title II, § 204(a)92 Stat. 3582

“The Congress finds and declares that—
“(1)
the number of reported cases of venereal disease persists in epidemic proportions in the United States;
“(2)
the number of persons affected by venereal disease and reported to public health authorities is only a fraction of those actually affected;
“(3)
the incidence of venereal disease continues to be particularly high among American youth, ages fifteen to twenty-nine, and among populations in metropolitan areas;
“(4)
venereal disease accounts for severe permanent disabilities and sometimes death in newborns and causes reproductive dysfunction in women of childbearing age;
“(5)
it is conservatively estimated that the public cost of health care for persons suffering from complications of venereal disease exceeds one-half billion dollars annually;
“(6)
the number of trained Federal venereal disease prevention and control personnel has fallen to a dangerously inadequate level;
“(7)
no vaccine for syphilis, gonorrhea, or any other venereal disease has yet been developed, nor does a blood test for the detection of asymptomatic gonorrhea in women exist, nor are safe and effective therapeutic agents available for some other venereal diseases;
“(8)
school health education programs, public information and awareness campaigns, mass diagnostic screening and case followup have all been found to be effective venereal disease prevention and control methodologies;
“(9)
skilled and knowledgeable health care providers, informed and concerned individuals and active, well-coordinated voluntary groups are fundamental to venereal disease prevention and control;
“(10)
biomedical research toward improved diagnostic and therapeutic tools is of singular importance to the elimination of venereal disease; and
“(11)
an increasing number of sexually transmissible diseases besides syphilis and gonorrhea have become a public health hazard.”
, , , provided that:

Pub. L. 94–317, title II, § 203(a)90 Stat. 703

“The Congress finds and declares that—
“(1)
the number of reported cases of venereal disease continues in epidemic proportions in the United States;
“(2)
the number of patients with venereal disease reported to public health authorities is only a fraction of those actually infected;
“(3)
the incidence of venereal disease is particularly high in the 15–29-year age group, and in metropolitan areas;
“(4)
venereal disease accounts for needless deaths and leads to such severe disabilities as sterility, insanity, blindness, and crippling conditions;
“(5)
the number of cases of congenital syphilis, a preventable disease, tends to parallel the incidence of syphilis in adults;
“(6)
it is conservatively estimated that the public cost of care for persons suffering the complications of venereal disease exceed $80,000,000 annually;
“(7)
medical researchers have no successful vaccine for syphilis or gonorrhea, and have no blood test for the detection of gonorrhea among the large reservoir of asymptomatic females;
“(8)
school health education programs, public information and awareness campaigns, mass diagnostic screening and case followup activities have all been found to be effective disease intervention methodologies;
“(9)
knowledgeable health providers and concerned individuals and groups are fundamental to venereal disease prevention and control;
“(10)
biomedical research leading to the development of vaccines for syphilis and gonorrhea is of singular importance for the eventual eradication of these dreaded diseases; and
“(11)
a variety of other sexually transmitted diseases, in addition to syphilis and gonorrhea, have become of public health significance.”
, , , provided that:

Pub. L. 92–449, title II, § 20286 Stat. 750

“(a)
The Congress finds and declares that—
“(1)
the number or reported cases of venereal disease has reached epidemic proportions in the United States;
“(2)
the number of patients with venereal disease reported to public health authorities is only a fraction of those treated by physicians;
“(3)
the incidence of venereal disease is particularly high among individuals in the 20–24 age group, and in metropolitan areas;
“(4)
venereal disease accounts for needless deaths and leads to such severe disabilities as sterility, insanity, blindness, and crippling conditions;
“(5)
the number of cases of congenital syphilis, a preventable disease, in infants under one year of age increased by 33⅓ per centum between 1970 and 1971;
“(6)
health education programs in schools and through the mass media may prevent a substantial portion of the venereal disease problem; and
“(7)
medical authorities have no successful vaccine for syphilis or gonorrhea and no blood test for the detection of gonorrhea among the large reservoir of asymptomatic females.
“(b)
In order to preserve and protect the health and welfare of all citizens, it is the purpose of this Act [enacting this section, amending sections 247b and 300 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 201 and 247b of this title] to establish a national program for the prevention and control of venereal disease.”
, , , provided that: