Bill Summary
The Homeland Security for Children Act amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to ensure that the needs of children are considered in homeland security planning. This includes appointing a technical expert to coordinate the integration of children's needs in preparing for, protecting against, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating against natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other manmade disasters. The Act also requires the Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans of the Department of Homeland Security to submit an annual report to Congress describing efforts to incorporate feedback from organizations representing the needs of children into Department policies and activities. This Act aims to ensure the safety and well-being of children in times of national emergency or crisis.
Possible Impacts
1. This Act may require the Department of Homeland Security to appoint a technical expert to identify and integrate the needs of children into activities related to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other disasters. This could potentially affect children and their families by ensuring that their needs and safety are considered in emergency planning and response.
2. The Act calls for an annual report to be submitted to specific committees in Congress, detailing the efforts of the Department of Homeland Security to incorporate feedback from organizations representing the needs of children in their policies. This could potentially affect these organizations, as they may be consulted and involved in the review and incorporation process.
3. The Act may also lead to changes or modifications in Department policies, programs, or activities to ensure they are appropriate for children. This could potentially affect children and their families by improving their access to resources and services in times of emergency.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2932 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 2932
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 11, 2020
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to ensure that the needs of
children are considered in homeland security planning, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Homeland Security for Children
Act''.
SEC. 2. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR STRATEGY, POLICY,
AND PLANS.
Paragraph (6) of section 709(c) of the Homeland Security Act of
2002 (6 U.S.C. 349(c)) is amended by inserting ``, including feedback
from organizations representing the needs of children,'' after
``stakeholder feedback''.
SEC. 3. TECHNICAL EXPERT AUTHORIZED.
Paragraph (2) of section 503(b) of the Homeland Security Act (6
U.S.C. 313(b)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (G), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (H), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(I) identify and integrate the needs of children
into activities to prepare for, protect against,
respond to, recover from, and mitigate against the risk
of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other
manmade disasters, including catastrophic incidents,
including by appointing a technical expert, who may
consult with relevant outside organizations and
experts, as necessary, to coordinate such integration,
as necessary.''.
SEC. 4. REPORT.
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act
and annually thereafter for 5 years, the Under Secretary for Strategy,
Policy, and Plans of the Department of Homeland Security shall submit
to the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the
Senate a report describing the efforts the Department has undertaken to
review and incorporate feedback from organizations representing the
needs of children into Department policy in accordance with paragraph
(6) of section 709(c) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (as amended
by section 2 of this Act), including information on the following:
(1) The designation of any individual responsible for
carrying out such paragraph (6).
(2) Any review, formal or informal, of Department policies,
programs, or activities to assess the suitability of such
policies, programs, or activities for children and where
feedback from organizations representing the needs of children
should be reviewed and incorporated.
(3) Any review, change, modification, or promulgation of
Department policies, programs, or activities to ensure that
such policies, programs, or activities are appropriate for
children.
(4) Coordination with organizations or experts outside the
Department pursuant to such paragraph (6) conducted to inform
any such review, change, modification, or promulgation of such
policies, programs, or activities.
Passed the House of Representatives February 10, 2020.
Attest:
CHERYL L. JOHNSON,
Clerk.
By Robert F. Reeves,
Deputy Clerk.