(a) In general 
The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may award grants and cooperative agreements to public or nonprofit">nonprofit private entities (including health departments of States and political subdivisions of States, and including universities and other educational entities) for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on Duchenne and other forms of muscular dystrophy. In making such awards, the Secretary may provide direct technical assistance in lieu of cash.

(b) National muscular dystrophy epidemiology program 
The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may award grants to public or nonprofit">nonprofit private entities (including health departments of States and political subdivisions of States, and including universities and other educational entities) for the purpose of carrying out epidemiological activities regarding Duchenne and other forms of muscular dystrophies, including collecting and analyzing information on the number, incidence, correlates, and symptoms of cases. In carrying out the preceding sentence, the Secretary shall provide for a national surveillance program. In making awards under this subsection, the Secretary may provide direct technical assistance in lieu of cash.

(c) Coordination with centers of excellence 
The Secretary shall ensure that epidemiological information under subsections (a) and (b) of this section is made available to centers of excellence supported under section 283g (b) of this title by the Director of the National Institutes of Health.

(d) Authorization of appropriations 
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.