Bill Summary
The Small Business Cyber Training Act of 2019 is a bill that aims to amend the Small Business Act in order to require small business development center counselors to have a certification in cyber strategy. This certification program will be established by the Administrator of the Small Business Administration and will certify employees of lead small business development centers in providing cyber planning assistance to small businesses. The bill also includes provisions for the reimbursement of certification costs and sets a minimum number of certified employees per lead small business development center. The bill must be implemented within 180 days of its enactment.
Possible Impacts
1. Small business development center counselors may be required to undergo cyber certification, which could potentially limit the number of counselors available to assist small business owners.
2. Small business owners may have access to more resources and tactics for planning and defending against cyber risks and attacks, as a result of the certification program for counselors.
3. The Small Business Administration may need to allocate additional funds for the reimbursement of certification costs, potentially impacting their budget and other programs that they offer.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 771 Reported in Senate (RS)]
<DOC>
Calendar No. 51
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 771
To amend section 21 of the Small Business Act to require cyber
certification for small business development center counselors, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 13, 2019
Mr. Rubio (for himself, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Risch, Mr. Coons, and Mr.
Hawley) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
April 1, 2019
Reported by Mr. Rubio, without amendment
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend section 21 of the Small Business Act to require cyber
certification for small business development center counselors, 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 ``Small Business Cyber Training Act of
2019''.
SEC. 2. DUTIES OF SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER COUNSELORS.
(a) Cyber Training.--Section 21 of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 648) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(o) Cyber Strategy Training for Small Business Development
Centers.--
``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection--
``(A) the term `cyber strategy' means resources and
tactics to assist in planning for cybersecurity and
defending against cyber risks and attacks; and
``(B) the term `lead small business development
center' means a small business development center that
has received a grant from the Administration.
``(2) Certification program.--The Administrator shall
establish a cyber counseling certification program, or
designate a substantially similar existing program, to certify
the employees of lead small business development centers in
providing cyber planning assistance to small business concerns.
``(3) Number of certified employees.--The Administrator
shall ensure that the number of employees of each lead small
business development center who are certified in providing
cyber planning assistance is not less than the lesser of--
``(A) 5; or
``(B) 10 percent of the total number of employees
of the lead small business development center.
``(4) Cyber strategy.--In carrying out paragraph (2), the
Administrator, to the extent practicable, shall consider any
cyber strategy methods included in the Small Business
Development Center Cyber Strategy developed under section
1841(a)(3)(B) of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328).
``(5) Reimbursement for certification.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations, the Administrator shall reimburse a
lead small business development center for costs
relating to the certification of an employee of the
lead small business center in providing cyber planning
assistance under the program established under
paragraph (2).
``(B) Limitation.--The total amount reimbursed by
the Administrator under subparagraph (A) may not exceed
$350,000 in any fiscal year.''.
(b) Implementation.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Small Business
Administration shall implement paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of section
21(o) of the Small Business Act, as added by subsection (a).
Calendar No. 51
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 771
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend section 21 of the Small Business Act to require cyber
certification for small business development center counselors, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
April 1, 2019
Reported without amendment