; (B) identify barriers to adherence with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s external validation guidance; and (C) recommend strategies to improve the consistency and reliability of data that is reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network. (3) Report Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this section, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1), together with recommendations, if any, for such legislation and administration action as the Comptroller General determines appropriate. . 5. Strengthening antimicrobial stewardship (a) In general Section 320B of the Public Health Service Act, as added by section 2, is amended by adding at the end the following: (c) Grant program for State antimicrobial stewardship action plans (1) In general The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall award grants to States for the development and implementation of State antimicrobial stewardship action plans. (2) Eligibility To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, a State shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including— (A) an assurance that development of the plan under the grant will be led by an infectious disease-trained physician with experience in antimicrobial stewardship or a pharmacist with expertise in infectious disease and antimicrobial stewardship