II 112th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2076 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 7, 2012 Mr. Franken (for himself, Mr. Boozman, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Graham, and Mr. Cornyn) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs March 19, 2012 Committee discharged; referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To improve security at State and local courthouses.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Local Courthouse Safety Act of 2012.

2.

Providing local courthouses with security training and assessments

The Attorney General, as part of the Preventing Violence Against Law Enforcement and Ensuring Officer Resilience and Survivability Initiative (VALOR) of the Department of Justice, may provide safety training and technical assistance to local law enforcement agencies.

3.

Improving flexibility of States to use grants to protect courthouses

(a)

State Homeland Security Grant Program

Section 2008(a) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 609(a)) is amended— (1)in paragraph (12), by striking and at the end; (2)by redesignating paragraph (13) as paragraph (14); and (3)by inserting after paragraph (12) the following: (13)improving security at courthouses of a State or local government; and . (b)

Byrne Grants

Section 501(a)(1)(B) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3751(a)(1)(B)) is amended by inserting , including programs to improve security at courthouses before the period.

4.

Improving access of local courthouses to excess Federal security equipment

(a)

In general

Subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 40, United States Code, is amended by adding after section 529 the following:

530.

Excess security equipment

(a)

Definitions

In this section— (1)the term excess security equipment means excess property that is used to detect weapons, including metal detectors, wands, and baggage screening devices; and (2)the term qualifying State or local courthouse means a courthouse of a State or local government that has less security equipment than the security needs of the courthouse require. (b)

Disposal of excess security equipment

(1)

In general

Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, the Administrator of General Services shall ensure that a State or local government has an opportunity to request to receive excess security equipment for use at a qualifying State or local courthouse before the excess security equipment is made available to any other individual or entity under this subchapter. (2)

Disposal

(A)

In general

Subject to subparagraph (B), upon request by a State or local government for excess security equipment for use at a qualifying State or local courthouse, the excess security equipment shall be made available to the State or local government without cost, except for any costs of care and handling. (B)

Multiple requests

If more than 1 State or local government requests a particular piece of excess security equipment, the excess security equipment shall be distributed based on need, as determined by the Administrator of General Services, with priority given to a qualifying State or local courthouse that has no security equipment.

. (b)

Technical and conforming amendment

The table of sections for chapter 5 of title 40, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 529 the following: 530. Excess security equipment. .