110 HR 5890 IH: Citizen and Community Preparedness Act of 2008
U.S. House of Representatives
2008-04-24
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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.
1.This Act may be cited as the Citizen and Community Preparedness Act of 2008
.
2.Community Preparedness Division
(a)Establishment of Community Preparedness DivisionThe Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
<enum>XXI</enum><header>Domestic Preparedness and Collective Response to Terrorism and Other Emergencies</header>
<section id="H8F674BF85D6A4561A2E7C17F786107E"><enum>2101.</enum><header>Community Preparedness Division</header>
<subsection id="H5AE16A94115B435F98A9C2DCE092431D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There is in the Department a Community Preparedness Division.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HA4F3295CB75F4183AC415217FC5F57F5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Director</header><text>The Community Preparedness Division shall be headed by a Director, who shall be appointed by the Secretary.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H923A766DC06144BA80DA00B299131D9B"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Responsibilities</header><text>The Director of the Community Preparedness Division, shall have the primary responsibility within the Department for assisting the efforts of State, local, and tribal governments in preparing citizens in the United States for acts of terrorism and other emergencies, including primary responsibility for each of the following:</text>
<paragraph id="H4720191A4AC149EE83DDF37117CF3D7B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Administration of the Citizen Corps Program under section 2102.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H761F2692CA2C433D99A0375831CF6874"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Supporting public and community preparedness efforts.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBE21E2FEBD784B81B67741E28480E8D6"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Serving as the principal advisor to the Secretary of Homeland Security on public and community preparedness issues.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA71A5401178940B980002E58A43367F7"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Providing Citizen Corps Councils with tools, information, and technical assistance to connect local and national citizen preparedness efforts.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB1540D645ECA42AE96DC7F9FEC71AE15"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Establishing specialized preparedness programs for underserved populations under subsection (d).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H640E80DE60A84D2D9BE8F3B50849E0AE"><enum>(6)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Ensuring coordination with, and leveraging to the greatest extent feasible, efforts by private sector entities, faith-based groups, research and educational institutions, other nongovernmental organizations, including such organizations that work with the disabled and others with special needs, and emergency response provider organizations to promote citizen preparedness and participation.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9CA993D3AAA444738F2D2312E562DA79"><enum>(7)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Assisting in the implementation of national strategies for public and community preparedness, including the development of individual preparedness skills and capabilities, assembling preparedness kits, developing emergency communications plans, training in basic first aid, and learning how to react to a variety of emergencies, including an act of terrorism involving chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear weapons, and natural disasters, including hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and tsunamis.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC44D87B60E1B4FFA8C2E00482FB7CFF8"><enum>(8)</enum><text>Establishing and maintaining a community preparedness resource center to compile and disseminate best practices of citizen preparedness programs.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H7E0788E8A5C345CD8BAA8639329D2CEB"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Underserved populations</header><text>In carrying out the responsibilities under this section, the Director shall consider the unique preparedness challenges faced by—</text>
<paragraph id="HF15C4D5C93A844D697BA80A536B59EA9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>persons with physical and mental disabilities, health problems, visual impairments, hearing impairments, limited English proficiency, and literacy barriers;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA56FFC527ECE4D7CB6AF254B9617EB24"><enum>(2)</enum><text>socially and economically disadvantaged households and communities;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H935FAD2FEECA4550A26B97BAF501DFF"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the elderly;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H71F13D89499348AF905E65F22C68904C"><enum>(4)</enum><text>children; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE3699E57745C443700E08C00A6E577D"><enum>(5)</enum><text>individuals with pets or service animals.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H823B15C631F3482E9E9FC4DB189DC6FD"><enum>2102.</enum><header>Citizen Corps Program</header>
<subsection id="HB29DA86D61AF4169B148E30685EBC4D4"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There is in the Community Preparedness Division a Citizen Corps Program, through which the Secretary shall bring community and government leaders together to coordinate and leverage efforts to strengthen community involvement in emergency preparedness, planning, mitigation, response, and recovery for acts of terrorism and natural disasters.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HD3FDDC1436114BB1AD8F606ED6A44BFD"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Grant program</header>
<paragraph id="HB27A2984AE3946A9B2E57BBE9BF82B4"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>As part of the Citizen Corps Program, the Secretary shall carry out a grant program to make grants to States.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB755A8E333F4423690099C493C605F95"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Application</header><text>To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, a State shall submit an application containing such information and assurances as the Secretary may require.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4DD98F9FA5FD4CE2AB7C5B8CAAAF46B"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Use of funds</header><text>A grant under this subsection may be used for any of the following purposes:</text>
<subparagraph id="H8E4E5499840543B2AAD42D92A449F302"><enum>(A)</enum><text>To form and sustain a State or local Citizen Corps Council.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H214F00F6C1F5480DB3EC05F750298B99"><enum>(B)</enum><text>To develop and implement educational programs for the public on both terrorism and natural disaster preparedness and volunteer responsibilities.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H3FB9B3055E984F33B2FA10BBB9419953"><enum>(C)</enum><text>To develop and implement a plan or to amend an existing plan to facilitate citizen preparedness and participation.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB737D3327F324D208E8F7CA769447466"><enum>(D)</enum><text>To facilitate citizen participation in preparedness training and exercises.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H4B021C1D41BB4F8B878FFF6EE3D4D00"><enum>(E)</enum><text>To implement volunteer programs and activities to support emergency response providers.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB2FEB11C789546CFB5826C00A28CDB05"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Conditions of receipt of funds</header><text>Each State that receives a grant under this subsection shall ensure that in carrying out any of the purposes under paragraph (3) outreach efforts extend, as appropriate, to—</text>
<subparagraph id="H8E6629305829449FBD45237451CE3BAE"><enum>(A)</enum><text>underserved populations specified in section 2101(d);</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H780696498714413B925296BA719DBA28"><enum>(B)</enum><text>neighborhoods bordering critical infrastructure;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H8754BF622E964F4F874E15CB06133D91"><enum>(C)</enum><text>urban and rural communities;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF9270BF5114543AE814D689E51D39142"><enum>(D)</enum><text>border communities; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H2FA7FFA920104BE8A8F3805E8A4E6F5"><enum>(E)</enum><text>faith-based and volunteer community service organizations.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HBE137D09F466471EB52E7100C3548200"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Administration and coordination</header><text>As part of the Citizen Corps Program, the Secretary shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H15A3081148374E9392BE1DCA123075F5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>administer—</text>
<subparagraph id="HFF65556B271245E89FBDBD9D05D59E1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Community Emergency Response Team Program under section 2103, or any successor thereto; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF4D32E5196844DDFA114856CA70000BA"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Fire Corps Program under section 2104, or any successor thereto;</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE248B7F753484735969BCE6B5870EB19"><enum>(2)</enum><text>coordinate with the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the administration of the Medical Reserve Corps, or any successor thereto, which is a program to educate and train citizens and medical professionals to assist with medical and public health outreach and administration before, during, and after acts of terrorism and other emergencies; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H606C35910779493B9C3CF0EBB6AFA62E"><enum>(3)</enum><text>coordinate with the Attorney General in the administration of—</text>
<subparagraph id="HD0DB1AB06020411892E2486FE115FD72"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Neighborhood Watch, or any successor thereto, which is a program to provide information, training, and resources to citizens and law enforcement agencies throughout the country to identify potential terrorist activities and other threats; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H50097715C89B430FA89154D3F7C0DE61"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Volunteers In Police Services, or any successor thereto, which is a program to educate and train citizens to increase the capacity of volunteer State and local law enforcement officials to assist before, during, and after an act of terrorism or other emergency.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H742754803CCF4449974780599E96A006"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Cooperative agreements with non-profit entities</header><text>The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with non-profit entities to enhance citizen preparedness and outreach programs that the Secretary has determined have a proven track record of success on a national or regional basis.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H81C57C6FD3B74A9E819174F92300D996"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Reports to Congress</header><text>Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of the <short-title>Citizen and Community Preparedness Act of 2008</short-title>, and every two years thereafter, the Director of the Community Preparedness Division shall submit to Congress a report that evaluates the management and effectiveness of the Fire Corps Program under section 2104 and the Community Emergency Response Team Program under section 2103.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H9066B1AC33FB4FBF9CB9B27046C8E7EF"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—</text>
<paragraph id="HCABFD8DE88D74F44ABE2AFE6BCC2B154"><enum>(1)</enum><text>$30,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H48C78D0D26C542809FB08D830BAD545"><enum>(2)</enum><text>$35,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H439B413601DF4A0CBA80DF6638921CA3"><enum>(3)</enum><text>$40,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB0AB9CB3D2704F3BA21936E3DBA2ABEC"><enum>(4)</enum><text>$45,000,000 for fiscal year 2012; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6F0AC786B4934292BFC008600E4C19C"><enum>(5)</enum><text>$50,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HF05B3D52251B41059EEA23145DB0E507"><enum>2103.</enum><header>Community Emergency Response Team Program</header>
<subsection id="HA4111063A29B4E4DA1F30052E9DE2A0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There is in the Community Preparedness Division a Community Emergency Response Team Program, through which the Secretary shall educate citizens about preparedness and mitigation and train citizens in basic response skills, including fire safety, light search and rescue, and medical operations in preparation for acts of terrorism and other emergencies.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H24AAE125FAF243DBB026B551BD565774"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated under section 2102(f) for any fiscal year, $1,750,000 is authorized to carry out this section.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="HACA8D543168448DF8900365D19EC9C2D"><enum>2104.</enum><header>Fire Corps Program</header>
<subsection id="HA8048902E472402791DB3D758924B11F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There is in the Community Preparedness Division a Fire Corps Program, through which the Secretary shall facilitate the use of volunteers in non-emergency roles at fire and rescue departments to better prepare local communities to respond to acts of terrorism and other emergencies.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H4C492475DDCC4FE4899BDE4B26A63F37"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Fire Corps Advisory Committee</header>
<paragraph id="HEEEEDF59134E40D3B8B9284386E2669"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>The Secretary shall establish an advisory committee to be known as the <quote>Fire Corps Advisory Committee</quote> (hereinafter referred to in this section as the <quote>Committee</quote>) to provide guidance and assistance to the Secretary in carrying out the Fire Corps Program.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H0878DE28AC34427F833EE035C461ED6"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Membership</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Secretary and shall include—</text>
<subparagraph id="H898AB96492834045946DAF80D5858EAA"><enum>(A)</enum><text>representatives of fire and emergency service organizations;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HC48C436982894CAC8C71C5D68DB921DD"><enum>(B)</enum><text>representatives of the United States Fire Administration; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD848447544D74B838591A6994C720952"><enum>(C)</enum><text>other individuals that the Secretary determines are appropriate.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H85D3C956EA57460A96FB9412AB522FAE"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Terms of service; pay and allowances</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall determine the number, terms of service, and pay and allowances of members of the Committee appointed by the Secretary, except that the term of service of any such member may not exceed three years.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDC1CAAC3DE5E453DAE258DE99FE2E51F"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Applicability of Federal Advisory Committee Act</header><text>Section 14(a)(2)(B) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Committee.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HFCDB3F9FA31C46E09C27E8F12567183B"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated under section 2102(g)(1) for any fiscal year, $1,500,000 is authorized to carry out this section.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="HA502C683D6AD42FFB468D6241CF981D3"><enum>2105.</enum><header>National Citizen Corps Council</header>
<subsection id="H8C3BEB1ADABD4BE4A7F333289CDD79E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>There is in the Community Preparedness Division a National Citizen Corps Council.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H293B9F8EDBD1436D93811E6597BA7909"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Membership</header><text>The members of the Council shall be national leaders of organizations and associations representing emergency response providers, community and volunteer services providers, government officials, the private sector, and underserved populations described in section 2101(d) and shall be appointed by the Secretary. The Secretary shall determine the number of members of the Council.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HE05383DB04AD4B4CBF1C6E7E23C00757"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Responsibilities</header><text>The responsibilities of the Council are as follows:</text>
<paragraph id="H9E31DE824DB34C08BF21E426137639B0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>To facilitate cooperation at the national level in support of the Citizen Corps Program under section 2102.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H31C842EFDB464966943E187126DFE11"><enum>(2)</enum><text>To identify opportunities for Federal, State, local, and tribal organizations to collaborate to accomplish the shared goals of the Citizen Corps Program.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCD80A7561C9F48820026D3F46948987"><enum>(3)</enum><text>To encourage the development and support of State and local Citizen Corps Councils.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H645B38579EE34A8B910024445475B997"><enum>(4)</enum><text>To exchange facts and information regarding programs to promote citizen preparedness, public awareness, and volunteer service opportunities.</text></paragraph> </subsection>
<subsection id="H62D8F1E456A0489A9C04C15D48FAAB4"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Meetings</header><text>The Secretary or a designee shall convene meetings of the National Citizen Corps Council at the discretion of the Secretary but not less than annually.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H6BCB3FD221B14D8AB49BE218F9AC79A"><enum>2106.</enum><header>Public affairs campaign</header>
<subsection id="HA37322066B8140E999D111331CD983A6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>The Secretary shall carry out a public affairs campaign using various media outlets that is designed to assist citizens in preparing for an act of terrorism or other emergency.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H8016D75552994DD2B4852093CF2612C3"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Information dissemination</header><text>The campaign shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H090700BE350E436BA0AF13B4B384A670"><enum>(1)</enum><text>utilize a broad spectrum of both mainstream and specialty print, radio and television outlets; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7D9960E3D56C4D01A2F69BAA31EEA9A3"><enum>(2)</enum><text>disseminate information to underserved communities specified in section 2101(d).</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HBF573C37C87C415E9E9219BAE707FBEB"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H3A3640CDD4CE494E86A99E186130D076"><enum>2107.</enum><header>Pilot program to enhance citizen preparedness at educational institutions</header>
<subsection id="H874EEA9C58B14C5D9164E5C4F57E8817"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of the <short-title>Citizen and Community Preparedness Act of 2008</short-title>, the Secretary shall commence a pilot program to enhance citizen preparedness at primary and secondary schools and on university and college campuses by providing training, exercises, and public awareness campaigns.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H414AE70651CC4202B1AD9D3CF6C90021"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Selection of educational institutions</header><text>The Secretary shall select at least three primary and secondary schools and at least three colleges and universities to participate in the pilot program required under subsection (a). At each school, college, and university selected by the Secretary, the Secretary shall develop and implement a program to prepare administrators, teachers, students, and parents for acts of terrorism and other emergencies.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HCD8449ADB12E45EC9D705FE5EA304322"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Selection criteria</header><text>In selecting educational institutions under subsection (b) to participate in the pilot program required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure the participation of educational institutions of varying sizes that represent a geographic (including urban and rural) cross section of the United States. The Secretary shall also ensure the participation of historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, or Tribal colleges and universities.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H0A932D6E801E4AA3AD896B5EF5D4959F"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Transfer of information and knowledge</header><text>The Secretary shall establish mechanisms to ensure that the information and knowledge acquired by each participant in the pilot program are transferred to the other participants and other interested parties.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HDD9AF3D655EB4E76B4211EBB64D4874B"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not later than 6 months after the date on which the Secretary completes the pilot program under this section, 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 on the pilot program under this section.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H9D3DB567C07D4C9B86A434720091481D"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H8A1B7367320E439C9B00EA00F18B391B"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Termination</header><text>The authority to carry out a pilot program under this section shall terminate on the date that is two years after the date of the enactment of the <short-title>Citizen and Community Preparedness Act of 2008</short-title>.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HE874ED0C77F54D58BFC2D289B6C084ED"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>For the purposes of this section:</text>
<paragraph id="HAC7ED11B05E94DC2B6CEE912F900F4A5"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <quote>historically Black college or university</quote> has the meaning given that term in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/20/1061">20 U.S.C. 1061</external-xref>).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7FB5C61E22B04E1DA6E2F6E25FBB5EEF"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The term <quote>Hispanic-serving institution</quote> has the meaning given that term in section 502(5) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/20/1101a">20 U.S.C. 1101a(5)</external-xref>).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HAED24EDE57504BD8A74D761C09FB1D40"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The term <quote>Tribal College or University</quote> has the meaning given that term in section 316 of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/20/1059c">20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)(3)</external-xref>).</text></paragraph></subsection></section>.
(b)The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act is amended by adding at the end the following:
Title XXI—Domestic Preparedness and Collective Response to Terrorism and Other Emergencies
Sec. 2101. Community Preparedness Division.
Sec. 2102. Citizen Corps Program.
Sec. 2103. Community Emergency Response Team Program.
Sec. 2104. Fire Corps Program.
Sec. 2105. National Citizen Corps Council.
Sec. 2106. Public affairs campaign.
Sec. 2107. Pilot program to enhance citizen preparedness at educational institutions.”.
3.Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 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 specifying the amount of grant funds awarded to each State under section 2102(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added by section 2, and the purposes for which such funds were awarded.