Bill · H.R. 3631· House(119-HR-3631)
VITAL Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 5/29/2025
- Last activity
- 5/29/2025 — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Mark Green
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The VITAL Act of 2025 aims to criminalize fraudulent statements or the concealment of material data during clinical vaccine trials. It establishes that medical research companies or sponsors who engage in such actions can face fines and up to five years in prison. The bill modifies several laws to ensure that authorizations can be revised or revoked if fraud is discovered. It also creates exceptions to existing liability protections for those involved in clinical trials or pandemic products. Additionally, it alters the rules for the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program to allow civil actions in certain cases of fraud. Finally, it outlines a process for liability hearings and determinations by the Secretary.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+6
The bill increases transparency by requiring public disclosure of testimony during liability hearings.
Does this give the federal government more power?+5
The bill expands federal authority to criminalize fraud in vaccine trials and regulates manufacturer liabilities.
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+5
The bill enhances consumer protection by establishing criminal penalties and civil recourse for fraudulent vaccine trial data.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-6
The bill creates significant legal and financial risks for medical research companies and sponsors through criminal penalties and civil liability.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Criminal Penalties for Fraud: Medical research companies or sponsors who make fraudulent statements or conceal material data from Ucial agencies can be fined or imprisoned for up to 5 years (Section 2).
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Authorization Oversight: Vaccine authorizations may be revised or revoked if the Secretary determines that fraudulent material statements were made or material information was concealed (Section 3 and Section 4).
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Increased Access to Legal Action: A civil action against a vaccine manufacturer is not barred under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program if the Secretary determines that fraudulent material statements were made or material information was concealed (Section 7).
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Concurrent Legal Claims: Plaintiffs may seek compensation under the established program while concurrently bringing an action in a United States district court (Section 7).
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Damage Protection: The amount of damages awarded to a plaintiff may not be reduced because of other awards received for the same claim (Section 6 and Section 7).
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COVID-19 Specific Provisions: Civil actions regarding vaccines related to COVID-19 may be made at any time (Section 7).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Legal Risks for Researchers: Medical research companies or sponsors face potential fines and imprisonment of up to 5 years for making fraudulent statements or concealing data (Section 2).
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Impact on Liability Protections: Existing limitations on liability for the "Right to Try Act of 2017" and "Targeted Liability Protections for Pandemic and Epidemic Products" are modified to include exceptions if fraudulent statements or concealed information are discovered (Section 5 and Section 6).
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Hearing Requirements: If the Secretary makes a determination, the manufacturer or sponsor must participate in a hearing and provide requested documents no more than five days before the hearing (Section 8).
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Public Disclosure of Testimony: Any written or verbal testimony provided by a manufacturer or sponsor during a liability hearing will be published on the Secretary of Health and Human Services website (Section 8).
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Default Determinations: If a manufacturer or sponsor fails to respond to the Secretary according to the rules of the Act, the initial determination of fraud will be maintained as having full force and effect (Section 8).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+6Increases Federal Power+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners-6
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+5
- Healthcare
- Improves Pandemic Preparedness+3
- 5/29/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House