Public Law 117-130 passed June 6, 2022

Homeland Security for Children Act

Responsibilities of Secretary of Homeland Security

Section 102 of Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 USC 112) amended by adding-

Planning Requirements- The Secretary shall ensure the head of the Department takes into account the needs of children, including children who are within underserved communities, in mission planning and execution. The Secretary requires to seek advice and feedback from organizations representing the needs of children. The Federal advisory Committee Act (5 USC App.) shall NOT apply such advice of feedback in accordance to subsection.

Technical Expert Authorized

Paragraph (2) section 503(b) of Homeland Security Act (6 USC 313(b)) amended-

subparagraph (G), strike “and” at the end;

subparagraph (H), strike the period and insert “and” and insert-

        • “Identify, integrate, and implement the needs of children, including children within under-served communities, into activities to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate against the risk of natural disaster, acts of terrorism, and other 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.”

Report

1 year after the enactment of this Act, and annually for the next 5 years, the Secretary of Homeland Security submits to:

    • The Committee on Homeland Security

    • The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives

    • The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate.

The report describes the efforts the Department has undertaken to review and incorporate feedback from organizations representing the needs of children in accordance with subsection (h) section 102 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002. Including information:

    • Any individual responsible for carrying out subsection(h).

    • Any review, formal or informal, of department policies, programs or activities to assess the suitability for children and where feedback from organizations representing the needs of children should be reviews and incorporated.

    • Any review, change, modification, or promulgation of Department policies, programs or activities are appropriate for children.

    • Coordinate with organizations or experts outside the Department conducted to inform of any such change.