"The National Biodefense Science Board (NBSB) was created under the authority of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, signed into law on December 19, 2006. NBSB was established to provide expert advice and guidance to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on scientific, technical, and other matters of special interest to HHS regarding activities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to adverse health effects of public health emergencies resulting from chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological events, whether naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate. By statute, the NBSB will have 13 voting members with a broad range of expertise in science, medicine, and public health. Additionally, there may be non-voting, ex officio members, as determined appropriate by the Secretary". The Inaugural Meeting of the NBSB was December 17-18, 2007. (HHS/ASPR, National Biodefense Science Board, 2007)