115 HR 6742 EH: Secure Border Communications Act U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I 115th CONGRESS2d Session H. R. 6742 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to ensure that appropriate officers and agents of U.S. Customs and Border Protection are equipped with secure radios or other two-way communication devices, supported by system interoperability, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Secure Border Communications Act.

2.

Secure border communications

(a)

In general

Subtitle B of title IV of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 211 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

420.

Secure border communications

(a)

In general

The Secretary shall ensure that each U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer or agent, if appropriate, is equipped with a secure radio or other two-way communication device, supported by system interoperability, that allows each such officer or agent to communicate— (1)between ports of entry and inspection stations; and (2)with other Federal, State, Tribal, and local law enforcement entities. (b)

U.S. Border Patrol agents

The Secretary shall ensure that each U.S. Border Patrol agent assigned or required to patrol in remote mission critical locations, and at border checkpoints, has a multi- or dual-band encrypted portable radio. (c)

Commercial mobile broadband connectivity

In carrying out subsection (b), the Secretary shall acquire radios or other devices with the option to connect to appropriate commercial mobile broadband networks for deployment in areas where such networks enhance operations and are cost effective. (d)

Emerging communications technologies considered

In carrying out this section, the Secretary may evaluate new or emerging communications technologies to determine their suitability for the unique conditions of border security operations.

. (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 419 the following new item: Sec. 420. Secure border communications..

Passed the House of Representatives September 25, 2018.Karen L. Haas,Clerk.