[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1886 Reported in Senate (RS)]
<DOC>
Calendar No. 193
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1886
[Report No. 118-90]
To establish a Federal Clearinghouse on Safety and Best Practices for
Nonprofit Organizations, Faith-based Organizations, and Houses of
Worship within the Department of Homeland Security, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 8, 2023
Ms. Hassan (for herself, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Rosen, and Mr. Peters)
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
August 22, 2023
Reported under authority of the order of the Senate of July 27, 2023,
by Mr. Peters, with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a Federal Clearinghouse on Safety and Best Practices for
Nonprofit Organizations, Faith-based Organizations, and Houses of
Worship within the Department of Homeland Security, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``Pray Safe Act of
2023''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> In this Act:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Agency.--The term ``Agency'' means the
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency of the
Department.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Clearinghouse.--The term ``Clearinghouse''
means the Federal Clearinghouse on Safety and Security Best
Practices for Nonprofit Organizations, Faith-based
Organizations, and Houses of Worship established under section
3(a).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the
Department of Homeland Security.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the
Director of the Agency.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Faith-based organization.--The term ``faith-
based organization'' means a group, center, or nongovernmental
organization with a religious, ideological, or spiritual
motivation, character, affiliation, or purpose that meets the
definition of nonprofit organization.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) House of worship.--The term ``house of
worship'' means a place or building, including a synagogue,
mosque, temple, and church, in which congregants practice their
religious or spiritual beliefs.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) Nonprofit organization.--The term ``nonprofit
organization'' means an organization--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) of the type described in subsection
(c)(3) of section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 and exempt from taxation under subsection (a) of
such section; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) determined to be at risk of a
terrorist attack or other threat by the
Secretary.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (8) Safety and security.--The term ``safety and
security'' means prevention of, protection against, or recovery
from threats and incidents, including natural disasters,
manmade disasters, or terrorist attacks.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (9) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the
Secretary of Homeland Security.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 3. FEDERAL CLEARINGHOUSE ON SAFETY AND SECURITY BEST
PRACTICES FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, FAITH-BASED
ORGANIZATIONS, AND HOUSES OF WORSHIP (PRAY
SAFE).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Federal Clearinghouse.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Establishment.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--Not later than 270 days
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary,
in consultation with the Attorney General, the
Executive Director of the White House Office of Faith-
Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, and the head of
any other agency the Secretary determines appropriate,
shall establish within the Department a Federal
Clearinghouse on Safety and Security Best Practices for
Nonprofit Organizations, Faith-based Organizations, and
Houses of Worship.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Purpose.--The Clearinghouse shall be
the primary resource of the Federal Government to--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) educate and publish online
best practices and recommendations for safety
and security for nonprofit organizations and
houses of worship; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) provide information relating
to Federal grant programs available to
nonprofit organizations and houses of
worship.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Personnel.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) Assignments.--The
Clearinghouse shall be assigned such personnel
and resources as the Secretary considers
appropriate to carry out this
subsection.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Detailees.--The Secretary may
coordinate detailees on a reimbursable or a
nonreimbursable basis as required for the
Clearinghouse.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) Designated point of
contact.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) In general.--There
shall be not fewer than 1 employee
assigned or detailed to the
Clearinghouse who shall be the
designated point of contact to provide
information and assistance to nonprofit
organizations and houses of worship,
including assistance relating to the
grant program established under
subsection (c).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) Contact
information.--The contact information
of the designated point of contact
under subclause (I) shall be made
available on the website of the
Clearinghouse.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) Qualification.--To the
maximum extent possible, any personnel assigned
or detailed to the Clearinghouse under this
subparagraph should be familiar with nonprofit
organizations (including faith-based
organizations and houses of worship) and with
physical and online security measures to
identify and prevent safety and security
risks.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Clearinghouse contents.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Evidence-based tiers.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) In general.--The Secretary, in
consultation with the Attorney General, the
Executive Director of the White House Office of
Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, and
the head of any other agency the Secretary
determines appropriate, shall develop tiers for
determining evidence-based best practices and
recommendations that demonstrate a significant
effect on improving safety and security of
nonprofit organizations and houses of
worship.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Requirements.--The tiers
required to be developed under clause (i)
shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) prioritize--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (aa) strong
evidence from not fewer than 1
well-designed and well-
implemented experimental study;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (bb) moderate
evidence from not fewer than 1
well-designed and well-
implemented quasi-experimental
study; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) consider promising
evidence that demonstrates a rationale
based on high-quality research findings
or positive evaluations that the
activity, strategy, or intervention is
likely to improve and promote safety
and security of nonprofit organizations
and houses of worship.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Criteria for best practices and
recommendations.--The best practices and
recommendations referred to in paragraph (1)(B)(i) of
the Clearinghouse shall, at a minimum--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) identify areas of concern for
nonprofit organizations and houses of worship,
including event planning recommendations,
checklists, facility hardening, tabletop
exercise resources, and other resilience
measures;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) involve comprehensive safety
and security measures, including threat
prevention, preparedness, protection,
mitigation, incident response, and recovery to
improve the safety and security posture of
nonprofit organizations and houses of worship
upon implementation;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) involve comprehensive safety
and security measures, including preparedness,
protection, mitigation, incident response, and
recovery to improve the resiliency of nonprofit
organizations and houses of worship from
threats and incidents, including natural
disasters, manmade disasters, or terrorist
attacks or other threats;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) include any evidence or
research rationale supporting the determination
of the Clearinghouse that the comprehensive
safety and security measures under clauses (ii)
and (iii) have been shown to have a significant
effect on improving the safety and security of
individuals who, at the time of any such threat
or incident, are physically located in the
place or building of a nonprofit organization
or house of worship, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) findings and data from
previous Federal, State, local, Tribal,
territorial, private sector, and
nongovernmental organization research
centers relating to the safety and
security of nonprofit organizations and
houses of worship, including from
targeted violence; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) other supportive
evidence or findings relied upon by the
Clearinghouse in determining best
practices and recommendations to
improve the safety and security posture
of nonprofit organizations and houses
of worship upon implementation;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (v) include an overview of the
available resources the Clearinghouse can
provide to nonprofit organizations and houses
of worship.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Additional information.--The
Clearinghouse shall maintain and make available a
comprehensive index of all Federal grant programs for
which nonprofit organizations and houses of worship are
eligible, which shall include the performance metrics
for each grant the recipient will be required to
provide.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) Past recommendations.--To the greatest
extent practicable, the Clearinghouse shall identify
and present, as appropriate, best practices and
recommendations issued by Federal, State, local,
Tribal, territorial, private sector, and
nongovernmental organizations relevant to the safety
and security of nonprofit organizations (including
faith-based organizations and houses of
worship).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) Existing platform.--The Secretary may
establish and maintain the Clearinghouse on an online
platform or a website that is in existence as of the
date of enactment of this Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Assistance and training.--The Secretary may
produce and publish materials on the Clearinghouse to assist
and train nonprofit organizations, houses of worship, and law
enforcement agencies regarding the implementation of the best
practices and recommendations under this subsection.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Continuous improvement.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--The Secretary shall--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) collect for the purpose of
continuous improvement of the Clearinghouse--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) Clearinghouse data
analytics;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) user feedback on the
implementation of resources, best
practices, and recommendations
identified by the Clearinghouse;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (III) any evaluations
conducted regarding implementation of
such best practices and
recommendations;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) in coordination with the
Faith-Based Security Advisory Council of the
Department, the Department of Justice, the
Executive Director of the White House Office of
Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, and
any other agency the Secretary determines
appropriate--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) assess and identify
Clearinghouse best practices and
recommendations for which there are no
resources available through Federal
Government programs for
implementation;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) provide feedback on
the implementation of such best
practices and recommendations;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (III) propose additional
recommendations for best practices for
inclusion in the Clearinghouse;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) not less frequently than
annually, examine and update the Clearinghouse
in accordance with--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) the information
collected under clause (i);
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) the recommendations
proposed under clause
(ii)(III).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Annual report to congress.--The
Secretary shall submit to Congress, on an annual basis,
a report on the updates under subparagraph (A)(iii)
made to the Clearinghouse during the preceding 1-year
period, which shall include a description of any
changes made pursuant thereto to the
Clearinghouse.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Notification of the Clearinghouse.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide to
the individuals, Federal agencies, and committees specified in
paragraph (2) written notification of the establishment of the
Clearinghouse, including updates pertaining to grant programs
identified under subsection (a)(2)(C).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Individuals, federal agencies, and committees
specified.--The individuals and entities specified in this
paragraph are the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Every State homeland security
advisor.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Every State department of homeland
security.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Other Federal agencies with grant
programs or initiatives that aid in the safety and
security of faith-based organizations and houses of
worship, as determined appropriate by the
Secretary.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) Every Cyber Security
Advisor.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) Every Protective Security
Advisor.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) Every Federal Bureau of Investigation
Joint Terrorism Task Force.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (G) Every Homeland Security Fusion
Center.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (H) Every State or territorial Governor or
other Chief Executive.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) The Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary
of the Senate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (J) The Committee on Homeland Security and
the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of
Representatives.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Federal Grants and Resources Overview.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--To the extent practicable, the
Secretary, when carrying out subsection (a)(2)(C), shall
include a grants program overview on the website of the
Clearinghouse that shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) be the location for all information
regarding Federal grant programs that are open to
nonprofit organizations and houses of
worship;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) directly link to each grant
application and any applicable user guides;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) identify all safety and security
homeland security assistance programs managed by the
Department that may be used to implement best practices
and recommendations of the Clearinghouse;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) concurrent with the application period
for any grant identified under subsection (a)(2)(C),
provide information related to the required elements of
grant applications to aid nonprofit organizations and
houses of worship in meeting the eligibility criteria
for Federal grants; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) provide answers to frequently asked
questions regarding the implementation of best
practices and recommendations of the Clearinghouse and
best practices for applying for a grant identified
under subsection (a)(2)(C).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Provision of information relating to federal
grants and resources.--Each Federal agency notified under
subsection (b) shall provide to the Secretary or other
appropriate point of contact for the Clearinghouse for
inclusion in the Clearinghouse necessary information regarding
any Federal grant programs or resources of the Federal agency
that are available for nonprofit organizations and houses of
worship.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) State grants and resources.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--Any State notified under
subsection (b) may provide to the Secretary or other
appropriate point of contact for the Clearinghouse for
inclusion in the Clearinghouse necessary information
regarding any grant programs or resources of the State
available for nonprofit organizations and houses of
worship.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Identification of resources.--The
Clearinghouse shall, to the extent practicable,
identify for each State the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) Each State agency responsible
for safety and security of nonprofit
organizations and houses of worship in the
State, or any State that does not have such an
agency designated.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Any grant program that may be
used for the purposes of implementing best
practices and recommendations of the
Clearinghouse.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) Any resources or programs,
including community prevention or intervention
efforts, that may be used to assist in targeted
violence and terrorism prevention.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Other Resources.--The Secretary shall, on the website
of the Clearinghouse, include a separate section for other resources
that shall provide a centralized list of all available points of
contact from which a nonprofit organization or house of worship may
seek assistance in grant applications and in carrying out the best
practices and recommendations of the Clearinghouse, including the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) A list of contact information to reach
Department personnel to assist with grant-related
questions.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) The applicable Agency contact information to
connect houses of worship with Protective Security
Advisors.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Contact information for all Department Fusion
Centers, listed by State.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Information on the ``If you See Something Say
Something Campaign'' of the Department.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Any other appropriate contacts.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be
construed to create, satisfy, or waive any requirement under Federal
civil rights laws, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) title II of the Americans With Disabilities
Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12131 et seq.); or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42
U.S.C. 2000d et seq.).</DELETED>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Pray Safe Act of 2023''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Clearinghouse.--The term ``Clearinghouse'' means the
Federal Clearinghouse on Safety and Security Best Practices for
Nonprofit Organizations, Faith-based Organizations, and Houses
of Worship established under section 3(a).
(2) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the
Department of Homeland Security.
(3) Faith-based organization.--The term ``faith-based
organization'' means a group, center, or nongovernmental
organization with a religious, ideological, or spiritual
motivation, character, affiliation, or purpose that meets the
definition of nonprofit organization.
(4) House of worship.--The term ``house of worship'' means
a place or building, including a synagogue, mosque, temple, and
church, in which congregants practice their religious or
spiritual beliefs.
(5) Nonprofit organization.--The term ``nonprofit
organization'' means an organization--
(A) of the type described in subsection (c)(3) of
section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and
exempt from taxation under subsection (a) of such
section; and
(B) determined to be at risk of a terrorist attack
or other threat by the Secretary.
(6) Safety and security.--The term ``safety and security''
means prevention of, protection against, or recovery from
threats and incidents, including natural disasters, manmade
disasters, or terrorist attacks.
(7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Homeland Security.
SEC. 3. FEDERAL CLEARINGHOUSE ON SAFETY AND SECURITY BEST PRACTICES FOR
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, AND
HOUSES OF WORSHIP.
(a) Federal Clearinghouse.--
(1) Establishment.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 270 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in
consultation with the Attorney General, the Executive
Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and
Neighborhood Partnerships, and the head of any other
agency the Secretary determines appropriate, shall
establish within the Department a Federal Clearinghouse
on Safety and Security Best Practices for Nonprofit
Organizations, Faith-based Organizations, and Houses of
Worship.
(B) Purpose.--The Clearinghouse shall be the
primary resource of the Federal Government to--
(i) educate and publish online best
practices and recommendations for safety and
security for nonprofit organizations, including
faith-based organizations, and houses of
worship; and
(ii) provide information relating to
Federal grant programs available to nonprofit
organizations, including faith-based
organizations, and houses of worship.
(C) Personnel.--
(i) Assignments.--The Clearinghouse shall
be assigned such personnel and resources as the
Secretary considers appropriate to carry out
this subsection.
(ii) Detailees.--The Secretary may
coordinate detailees on a reimbursable or a
nonreimbursable basis as required for the
Clearinghouse.
(iii) Designated point of contact.--
(I) In general.--There shall be not
fewer than 1 employee assigned or
detailed to the Clearinghouse who shall
be the designated point of contact to
provide information and assistance to
nonprofit organizations, including
faith-based organizations, and houses
of worship, including assistance
relating to the grant program
established under subsection (c).
(II) Contact information.--The
contact information of the designated
point of contact under subclause (I)
shall be made available on the website
of the Clearinghouse.
(iv) Qualification.--To the maximum extent
possible, any personnel assigned or detailed to
the Clearinghouse under this subparagraph
should be familiar with nonprofit
organizations, including faith-based
organizations, and houses of worship and with
physical and online security measures to
identify and prevent safety and security risks.
(2) Clearinghouse contents.--
(A) Evidence-based tiers.--
(i) In general.--The Secretary, in
consultation with the Attorney General, the
Executive Director of the White House Office of
Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, and
the head of any other agency the Secretary
determines appropriate, shall develop tiers for
determining evidence-based best practices and
recommendations that demonstrate a significant
effect on improving safety and security of
nonprofit organizations, including faith-based
organizations, and houses of worship.
(ii) Requirements.--The tiers required to
be developed under clause (i) shall--
(I) prioritize--
(aa) strong evidence from
not fewer than 1 well-designed
and well-implemented
experimental study; and
(bb) moderate evidence from
not fewer than 1 well-designed
and well-implemented quasi-
experimental study; and
(II) consider promising evidence
that demonstrates a rationale based on
high-quality research findings or
positive evaluations that the activity,
strategy, or intervention is likely to
improve and promote safety and security
of nonprofit organizations, including
faith-based organizations, and houses
of worship.
(B) Criteria for best practices and
recommendations.--The best practices and
recommendations referred to in paragraph (1)(B)(i) of
the Clearinghouse shall, at a minimum--
(i) identify areas of concern for nonprofit
organizations, including faith-based
organizations, and houses of worship, including
event planning recommendations, checklists,
facility hardening, tabletop exercise
resources, and other resilience measures;
(ii) involve comprehensive safety and
security measures, including threat prevention,
preparedness, protection, mitigation, incident
response, and recovery to improve the safety
and security posture of nonprofit
organizations, including faith-based
organizations, and houses of worship upon
implementation;
(iii) involve comprehensive safety and
security measures, including preparedness,
protection, mitigation, incident response, and
recovery to improve the resiliency of nonprofit
organizations, including faith-based
organizations, and houses of worship from
threats and incidents, including natural
disasters, manmade disasters, or terrorist
attacks or other threats;
(iv) include any evidence or research
rationale supporting the determination of the
Clearinghouse that the comprehensive safety and
security measures under clauses (ii) and (iii)
have been shown to have a significant effect on
improving the safety and security of
individuals who, at the time of any such threat
or incident, are physically located in the
place or building of a nonprofit organization,
including a faith-based organization, or a
house of worship, including--
(I) findings and data from previous
Federal, State, local, Tribal,
territorial, private sector, and
nongovernmental organization research
centers relating to the safety and
security of nonprofit organizations,
including faith-based organizations,
and houses of worship, including from
targeted violence; and
(II) other supportive evidence or
findings relied upon by the
Clearinghouse in determining best
practices and recommendations to
improve the safety and security posture
of nonprofit organizations, including
faith-based organizations, and houses
of worship upon implementation; and
(v) include an overview of the available
resources the Clearinghouse can provide to
nonprofit organizations and houses of worship.
(C) Additional information.--The Clearinghouse
shall maintain and make available a comprehensive index
of all Federal grant programs for which nonprofit
organizations, including faith-based organizations, and
houses of worship are eligible, which shall include the
performance metrics the recipient will be required to
provide for each grant.
(D) Past recommendations.--To the greatest extent
practicable, the Clearinghouse shall identify and
present, as appropriate, best practices and
recommendations issued by Federal, State, local,
Tribal, territorial, private sector, and
nongovernmental organizations relevant to the safety
and security of nonprofit organizations, including
faith-based organizations, and houses of worship.
(E) Existing platform.--The Secretary may establish
and maintain the Clearinghouse on an online platform or
a website that is in existence as of the date of
enactment of this Act.
(3) Assistance and training.--The Secretary may produce and
publish materials on the Clearinghouse to assist and train
nonprofit organizations, including faith-based organizations,
and houses of worship regarding the implementation of the best
practices and recommendations under this subsection.
(4) Continuous improvement.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall--
(i) collect for the purpose of continuous
improvement of the Clearinghouse--
(I) Clearinghouse data analytics;
(II) user feedback on the
implementation of resources, best
practices, and recommendations
identified by the Clearinghouse; and
(III) any evaluations conducted
regarding implementation of such best
practices and recommendations;
(ii) in coordination with the Faith-Based
Security Advisory Council of the Department,
the Department of Justice, the Executive
Director of the White House Office of Faith-
Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, and any
other agency the Secretary determines
appropriate--
(I) assess and identify
Clearinghouse best practices and
recommendations for which there are no
resources available through Federal
Government programs for implementation;
(II) provide feedback on the
implementation of such best practices
and recommendations; and
(III) propose additional best
practices and recommendations for
inclusion in the Clearinghouse; and
(iii) not less frequently than annually,
examine and update the Clearinghouse in
accordance with--
(I) the information collected under
clause (i); and
(II) the best practices and
recommendations proposed under clause
(ii)(III).
(B) Report to congress.--Not later than 3 years
after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 3
years thereafter during the period in which the
Clearinghouse is in existence, the Secretary shall
submit to Congress a report on the updates under
subparagraph (A)(iii) made to the Clearinghouse during
the preceding 3-year period, which shall include a
description of any changes made pursuant thereto to the
Clearinghouse.
(b) Notification of the Clearinghouse.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide to the
individuals, Federal agencies, and committees specified in
paragraph (2) written notification of the establishment of the
Clearinghouse, including updates pertaining to grant programs
identified under subsection (a)(2)(C).
(2) Individuals, federal agencies, and committees
specified.--The individuals, Federal entities, and committees
specified in this paragraph are the following:
(A) Every State homeland security advisor.
(B) Every State department of homeland security.
(C) Other Federal agencies with grant programs or
initiatives that aid in the safety and security of
nonprofit organizations, including faith-based
organizations, and houses of worship, as determined
appropriate by the Secretary.
(D) Every Cyber Security Advisor.
(E) Every Protective Security Advisor.
(F) Every Federal Bureau of Investigation Joint
Terrorism Task Force.
(G) Every Homeland Security Fusion Center.
(H) Every State or territorial Governor or other
chief executive.
(I) The Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary
of the Senate.
(J) The Committee on Homeland Security and the
Committee on the Judiciary of the House of
Representatives.
(c) Federal Grants and Resources Overview.--
(1) In general.--To the extent practicable, the Secretary,
when carrying out subsection (a)(2)(C), shall include a grants
program overview on the website of the Clearinghouse that
shall--
(A) be a location for all information regarding
Federal grant programs that are open to nonprofit
organizations, including faith-based organizations, and
houses of worship for the purposes of safety and
security;
(B) directly link to each grant application and any
applicable user guides;
(C) identify all safety and security homeland
security assistance programs managed by the Department
that may be used to implement best practices and
recommendations of the Clearinghouse;
(D) concurrent with the application period for any
grant identified under subsection (a)(2)(C), provide
information related to the required elements of grant
applications to aid nonprofit organizations, including
faith-based organizations, and houses of worship in
meeting the eligibility criteria for Federal grants;
and
(E) provide answers to frequently asked questions
regarding the implementation of best practices and
recommendations of the Clearinghouse and best practices
for applying for a grant identified under subsection
(a)(2)(C).
(2) Provision of information relating to federal grants and
resources.--Each Federal agency notified under subsection (b)
shall provide to the Secretary or other appropriate point of
contact for the Clearinghouse for inclusion in the
Clearinghouse necessary information regarding any Federal grant
programs or resources of the Federal agency that are available
for nonprofit organizations, including faith-based
organizations, and houses of worship.
(3) State grants and resources.--
(A) In general.--Any State notified under
subsection (b) may provide to the Secretary or other
appropriate point of contact for the Clearinghouse for
inclusion in the Clearinghouse necessary information
regarding any grant programs or resources of the State
available for nonprofit organizations, including faith-
based organizations, and houses of worship for the
purposes of safety and security.
(B) Identification of resources.--The Clearinghouse
shall, to the extent practicable, identify for each
State the following:
(i) Each State agency responsible for
safety and security of nonprofit organizations,
including faith-based organizations, and houses
of worship in the State, or any State that does
not have such an agency designated.
(ii) Any grant program that may be used for
the purposes of implementing best practices and
recommendations of the Clearinghouse.
(iii) Any resources or programs, including
community prevention or intervention efforts,
that may be used to assist in targeted violence
and terrorism prevention.
(d) Other Resources.--The Secretary shall, on the website of the
Clearinghouse, include a separate section for other resources that
shall provide a centralized list of all available points of contact
from which a nonprofit organization, including a faith-based
organization, or a house of worship may seek assistance in grant
applications and in carrying out the best practices and recommendations
of the Clearinghouse, including the following:
(1) A list of contact information to reach Department
personnel to assist with grant-related questions.
(2) The applicable Agency contact information to connect
houses of worship with Protective Security Advisors.
(3) Contact information for all Department Fusion Centers,
listed by State.
(4) Information on the ``If you See Something Say Something
Campaign'' of the Department.
(5) Any other appropriate contacts.
(e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed
to create, satisfy, or waive any requirement under Federal civil rights
laws, including--
(1) title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990
(42 U.S.C. 12131 et seq.); or
(2) title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C.
2000d et seq.).
(f) Sunset.--This Act shall cease to be effective on the date that
is 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 4. GAO REPORT.
The Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to
Congress a report on the state of Federal grants devoted to safety and
security for nonprofit organizations, including faith-based
organizations, and houses of worship, and an evaluation of the relevant
programs and resources devoted to the safety and security of nonprofit
organizations, including faith-based organizations, and houses of
worship as of the date of the report.
Calendar No. 193
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1886
[Report No. 118-90]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a Federal Clearinghouse on Safety and Best Practices for
Nonprofit Organizations, Faith-based Organizations, and Houses of
Worship within the Department of Homeland Security, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
August 22, 2023
Reported under authority of the order of the Senate of July 27, 2023,
with an amendment