[House Report 116-25]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
116th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 116-25
======================================================================
COORDINATING AND LEVERAGING ACTIVITIES FOR SCHOOL SECURITY ACT
_______
March 28, 2019.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, from the Committee on Homeland Security,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 1593]
The Committee on Homeland Security, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R.1593) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002
to establish a school security coordinating council, and for
other purposes, having considered the same, report favorably
thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill as
amended do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
Purpose and Summary.............................................. 2
Background and Need for Legislation.............................. 2
Hearings......................................................... 3
Committee Consideration.......................................... 4
Committee Votes.................................................. 4
Committee Oversight Findings..................................... 4
C.B.O. Estimate, New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and
Tax Expenditures............................................... 4
Federal Mandates Statement....................................... 4
Duplicative Federal Programs..................................... 5
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............ 5
Congressional Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff
Benefits....................................................... 5
Advisory Committee Statement..................................... 5
Applicability to Legislative Branch.............................. 5
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation................... 5
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............ 6
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Coordinating and Leveraging Activities
for School Security Act'' or the ``CLASS Act of 2019''.
SEC. 2. SCHOOL SECURITY COORDINATING COUNCIL.
(a) In General.--Title VII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6
U.S.C. 341 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new
section:
``SEC. 711. SCHOOL SECURITY COORDINATING COUNCIL.
``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Department a
coordinating council to ensure that, to the maximum extent practicable,
activities, plans, and policies to enhance the security of an early
childhood education program, elementary school, high school, or
secondary schools against an act of terrorism are coordinated.
``(b) Composition.--The members of the council established pursuant
to subsection (a) shall include the following:
``(1) The Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans.
``(2) The Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure
Security.
``(3) The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency.
``(4) The Director of the Secret Service.
``(5) The Executive Director of the Office of Academic
Engagement.
``(6) The Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs.
``(7) Any other official of the Department the Secretary
determines appropriate.
``(c) Leadership.--The Secretary shall designate a member of the
council to serve as chair of the council.
``(d) Reports.--Not later than January 30, 2021, and annually
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Homeland
Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report regarding the
council's activities during the preceding year, including information
on any metrics regarding the efficacy of such activities and any
engagement with stakeholders outside of the Federal Government.
``(e) Definitions.--In this section, the terms `early childhood
education program', `elementary school', `high school', and `secondary
school' have the meanings given such terms in section 8101 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of the
Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 710 the following new item:
``Sec. 711. School security coordinating council.''.
Purpose and Summary
H.R. 1593, ``Coordinating and Leveraging Activities for
School Security (CLASS) Act'' would direct DHS to establish a
council to coordinate activities, plans, and policies of the
Department aimed at bolstering school security against acts of
terrorism. Additionally, the legislation would require the
Secretary to provide to the House of Representatives Committee
on Homeland Security and the Senate Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs Committee an annual report of the
council's activities during the preceding year, including
information on any metrics regarding the efficacy of such
activities.
Background and Need for Legislation
Soft targets like schools and universities have long been a
security concern and addressing whether educational
institutions are adequately prepared to respond to and
effectively manage acts of terrorism, active shooters and other
large-scale emergencies continues to be a challenge for
communities. In the 19 years since the horrific massacre at
Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado that left 13
people dead, U.S. schools continue to be subject to mass
shootings. The 2017-2018 school year saw a record number of
school shootings. Between January and May 2018, school
shootings averaged one per week.\1\
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\1\Saeed Ahmed and Christina Walker, ``There has been, on average,
1 school shooting every week this year,'' CNN. May 25, 2018. Accessed
on September 11, 2018. https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/02/us/school-
shootings-2018-list-trnd/index.html.
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Although Federal, State, and local preparedness efforts
have improved in recent years, in 2016, the Government
Accountability Office (GAO) found that while about half of
school districts surveyed practiced emergency exercises with
law enforcement every year, schools struggle to fund security
priorities.\2\
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\2\Government Accountability Office, ``Emergency Management:
Improved Federal Coordination Could Better Assist K-12 Schools Prepare
for Emergencies,'' (GAO-16-144), March 2016, https://www.gao.gov/
assets/680/676051.pdf.
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After the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in
Newtown, Connecticut, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
identified a series of actions its components would undertake
to help improve school and campus security. After Newtown, DHS
was engaged in interagency efforts pursuant to the post-Newtown
Executive Actions President Obama issued in January 2013.
Today, DHS's Office of Academic Engagement (OAE) conducts
tabletop exercises and workshops around the country to discuss
security protocols, notifications and alerts, response, and
recovery capabilities with schools and first responders.
Additionally, DHS's components and offices such as the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Cybersecurity and
Infrastructure Agency (CISA), and the Secret Service provide
support to the Department's school security efforts.
While multiple components and offices of the Department aid
the nation's preparedness for school security, there is no
Congressionally authorized body within the Department tasked
with coordinating school security activities. H.R. 1593 would
establish a coordinating council within DHS to ensure that the
Department's school security activities, plans, and policies
are coordinated; bring together the Under Secretary for
Strategy, Policy, and Plans, the director of the CISA, FEMA,
the Secret Service, the OAE, and the Assistant Secretary for
Public Affairs on the council; and require the Secretary of
Homeland Security to report to relevant Congressional
Committees annually on the council's efforts.
Hearings
The Committee did not hold any legislative hearings on H.R.
1593; however, the Committee held the following oversight
hearing:
115th Congress
On July 9, 2018, the Subcommittee on Emergency
Preparedness, Response, and Communications held a hearing
entitled ``Protecting our Future: Addressing School Security
Challenges in America.'' The Subcommittee received testimony
from Mr. Bob Kolasky, Deputy Under Secretary, National
Protection and Programs Directorate, Department of Homeland
Security; Mr. Alan Hanson, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney
General, Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice; Mr.
Jason Botel, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of
Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education;
Mr. Jared Maples, Director, New Jersey Office of Homeland
Security and Preparedness; Mr. Ben Castillo, Director, Office
of School Preparedness and Emergency Planning, New Jersey
Department of Education; Major Jeanne Hengemuhle, Commanding
Officer Division Human Resources Section, New Jersey State
Police; Detective Sergeant Timothy P. Gerity, President, New
Jersey Association of School Resource Officers; and Mr. Michael
Reilly, President, New York City Community Education Council.
Committee Consideration
The Committee met on March 13, 2019, with a quorum being
present, to consider H.R. 1593 and ordered the measure to be
reported to the House with a favorable recommendation, with
amendment, by unanimous consent.
The following amendment was offered and accepted by
unanimous consent:
An amendment offered by Ms. Jackson Lee Page 3, line 10, insert
``and any engagement with stakeholders outside of the Federal
Government'' before the period at the end.
Committee Votes
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives requires the Committee to list the recorded
votes on the motion to report legislation and amendments
thereto.
No recorded votes were requested during consideration of
H.R. 1593.
Committee Oversight Findings
In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee advises that the
findings and recommendations of the Committee, based on
oversight activities under clause 2(b)(1) of rule X of the
Rules of the House of Representatives, are incorporated in the
descriptive portions of this report.
Congressional Budget Office Estimate, New Budget Authority, Entitlement
Authority, and Tax Expenditures
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(2) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section
308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and with respect
to requirements of clause (3)(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives and section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has requested
but not received a cost estimate for this bill from the
Director of Congressional Budget Office.
The Committee has requested but not received from the
Director of the Congressional Budget Office a statement as to
whether this bill contains any new budget authority, spending
authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in
revenues or tax expenditures.
Federal Mandates Statement
An estimate of Federal mandates prepared by the Director of
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 423 of the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act was not made available to the
Committee in time for the filing of this report. The Chairman
of the Committee shall cause such estimate to be printed in the
Congressional Record upon its receipt by the Committee.
Duplicative Federal Programs
Pursuant to clause 3(c) of rule XIII, the Committee finds
that H.R. 1593 does not contain any provision that establishes
or reauthorizes a program known to be duplicative of another
Federal program.
Performance Goals and Objectives
The Committee states that pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, H.R.
1593 would ensure that the Department of Homeland Security is
coordinating its activities, plans, and policies aimed at
bolstering school security against acts of terrorism, an active
shooter, and other threats.
Advisory on Earmarks
In compliance with rule XXI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, this bill, as reported, contains no
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff
benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of the rule
XXI.
Advisory Committee Statement
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this
legislation.
Applicability to Legislative Branch
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation
Section 1. Short title
This section provides that this bill may be cited as the
``Coordination and Leveraging Activities for School Security
Act of 2019''.
Sec. 2. School security coordinating council
This section amends the Homeland Security Act to include
the establishment of a coordinating council within the
Department to ensure that, to the maximum extent practicable,
activities, plans, and policies to enhance the security of an
early childhood education program, elementary school, high
school, or secondary schools against an act of terrorism are
coordinated. Members of the council are to include the DHS
Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans, the Director
of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security, the
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the
Director of the Secret Service, the Executive Director of the
Office of Academic Engagement, the Assistant Secretary for
Public Affairs, and any other official of the Department the
Secretary determines appropriate. The council is to be led by a
chair, selected by the Secretary from among the members of the
council. On an annual basis, starting January 30, 2021, the
Secretary is required to report to Congress on the council's
activities during the preceding year, including information on
any metrics regarding the efficacy of such activities.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (new matter is
printed in italic and existing law in which no change is
proposed is shown in roman):
HOMELAND SECURITY ACT OF 2002
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Homeland
Security Act of 2002''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is
as follows:
* * * * * * *
TITLE VII--MANAGEMENT
* * * * * * *
Sec. 710. Workforce health and medical support.
Sec. 711. School security coordinating council.
* * * * * * *
TITLE VII--MANAGEMENT
* * * * * * *
SEC. 711. SCHOOL SECURITY COORDINATING COUNCIL.
(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Department a
coordinating council to ensure that, to the maximum extent
practicable, activities, plans, and policies to enhance the
security of an early childhood education program, elementary
school, high school, or secondary schools against an act of
terrorism are coordinated.
(b) Composition.--The members of the council established
pursuant to subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) The Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and
Plans.
(2) The Director of the Cybersecurity and
Infrastructure Security.
(3) The Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency.
(4) The Director of the Secret Service.
(5) The Executive Director of the Office of Academic
Engagement.
(6) The Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs.
(7) Any other official of the Department the
Secretary determines appropriate.
(c) Leadership.--The Secretary shall designate a member of
the council to serve as chair of the council.
(d) Reports.--Not later than January 30, 2021, and annually
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the
Senate a report regarding the council's activities during the
preceding year, including information on any metrics regarding
the efficacy of such activities and any engagement with
stakeholders outside of the Federal Government.
(e) Definitions.--In this section, the terms ``early
childhood education program'', ``elementary school'', ``high
school'', and ``secondary school'' have the meanings given such
terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
* * * * * * *
[all]