Federal legislation unveiled to address Reedley lab issues: ‘You don’t want deadly pathogens next door’
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FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Congressman Jim Costa unveiled legislation on Tuesday to address gaps in federal law in the regulation of highly infectious agents and high-containment laboratories, spurned on by the discovery of an illegal laboratory operating in Reedley.
The legislation, H.R. 8065, was introduced by Congressman Costa earlier this month. He says it could prevent what happened inside the warehouse from happening again – both in Reedley and across the country.
Illegal Reedley Lab: YourCentralValley.com’s complete coverage
“Prevent Illegal Laboratories and Protect Public Health. That’s the title of the bill,” said Costa. “This is about public health and safety and the City of Reedley is to be commended for the way in which they responded and acted.”
Costa says the legislation addresses gaps in the regulation of highly infectious agents and high-containment labs, including several requirements and evaluations.
“Require sellers of highly infectious agents to keep a logbook of all sales and maintain those records for at least five years, including identification of purchase,” detailed Costa. “It would also implement regular evaluations of highly contaminant laboratories in the United States.”
Congressman Costa publicly unveiled the legislation alongside Reedley City Manager Nicole Zieba, who says the proposed law could ensure what happened in Reedley does not happen elsewhere.
“It doesn’t matter if you are a Republican, a Democrat, an independent, a green,” said Zieba. “It doesn’t matter what you are. You don’t want deadly pathogens next door to your family and loved ones in the communities that you represent.”
Fresno County Department of Public Health Joe Prado, who was also present at the announcement on Tuesday, says if this legislation had been passed before the illegal lab was discovered then the situation could have been handled differently.
“That is significant for us to know what is in a building,” said Prado. “What are we walking into potentially? Who owns this? Who is the business owner? What credentials do they have? That law book is going to be key in any type of future response.”
In late December of 2022, the discovery of the lab in Reedley was made as Reedley Code Enforcement Officer Jesalyn Harper noticed a hose that came out of the back of what was believed to be a vacant warehouse on 850 I Street, with no active business permit found.
The lab was found to be storing several infectious diseases and hazardous chemicals, such as COVID-19, malaria, HIV, and hepatitis.
Costa brought federal agencies in and pushed for federal investigations into the illegal lab, which resulted in a congressional investigation and the arrest of lab owner Jia Bei Zhu.
