Two Central Valley Congressmen are pushing a bill that would improve the local response to public health threats.
The bill comes two years after a secret biolab was found in Reedley.
Flashback: A code enforcement officer in Reedley discovered an illegal biolab in a warehouse in 2023.
- The lab contained infectious agents such as COVID-19 and HIV, COVID-19 test kits, pregnancy tests and nearly 1,000 bioengineered mice, among other pathogens.
The big picture: Rep. David Valadao (R–Hanford) and Rep. Jim Costa (D–Fresno) introduced the Safety Training for Officers on Public (STOP) Health Threats Act to Congress.
- The STOP Act would give local law enforcement the tools and training that are necessary to respond to public health threats that arise from building code violations, such as the secret Reedley lab.
Go deeper: Under the STOP Act, the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide grants for training law enforcement officers to recognize and respond to public health threats that come from building code violations.
- The act would also promote collaboration with public health departments and nonprofits, support the development of tailored training programs and prioritize funding for communities where serious threats have been identified.
What they’re saying: “Keeping our communities safe means making sure local law enforcement has the tools required to quickly identify serious public health threats,” Valadao said. “The STOP Health Threats Act takes important steps to help officers recognize dangerous situations – like the illegal Reedley lab – before they put their lives at risk. I’m proud to join Rep. Costa in introducing this bipartisan bill to strengthen public safety and protect our families.”
- Costa said dangerous labs become a national public health risk, not simply a local issue.
- “This isn’t just about one lab; it’s about making sure no town has to face a threat like this alone,” Costa said. “The STOP Health Threats Act gives law enforcement the training they need to identify these risks and act swiftly. It’s about prevention, safety, and making sure every officer has the tools to protect their community.”
