[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7296 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 7296

 To establish a Federal Clearinghouse on Safety and Best Practices for 
   Nonprofit Organizations, Faith-based Organizations, and Houses of 
   Worship within the Department of Homeland Security, and for other 
                               purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 7, 2024

  Ms. Porter (for herself, Ms. Salazar, and Mr. Carter of Louisiana) 
 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on 
 Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
  Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
           within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To establish a Federal Clearinghouse on Safety and Best Practices for 
   Nonprofit Organizations, Faith-based Organizations, and Houses of 
   Worship within the Department of Homeland Security, and for other 
                               purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Pray Safe Act of 2024''.

SEC. 2. FEDERAL CLEARINGHOUSE ON SAFETY AND SECURITY BEST PRACTICES FOR 
              NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, AND 
              HOUSES OF WORSHIP (PRAY SAFE).

    (a) Federal Clearinghouse.--
            (1) Establishment.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 270 days after the 
                date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in 
                consultation with the Attorney General, the Executive 
                Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and 
                Neighborhood Partnerships, and the head of any other 
                agency the Secretary determines appropriate, shall 
                establish within the Department a Federal Clearinghouse 
                on Safety and Security Best Practices for Nonprofit 
                Organizations, Faith-based Organizations, and Houses of 
                Worship.
                    (B) Purpose.--The Clearinghouse shall be the 
                primary resource of the Federal Government to--
                            (i) educate and publish online best 
                        practices and recommendations for safety and 
                        security for nonprofit organizations, including 
                        faith-based organizations, and houses of 
                        worship; and
                            (ii) provide information relating to 
                        Federal grant programs available to nonprofit 
                        organizations, including faith-based 
                        organizations, and houses of worship.
                    (C) Personnel.--
                            (i) Assignments.--The Clearinghouse shall 
                        be assigned such personnel and resources as the 
                        Secretary considers appropriate to carry out 
                        this subsection.
                            (ii) Detailees.--The Secretary may 
                        coordinate detailees on a reimbursable or a 
                        nonreimbursable basis as required for the 
                        Clearinghouse.
                            (iii) Designated point of contact.--
                                    (I) In general.--There shall be not 
                                fewer than one employee assigned or 
                                detailed to the Clearinghouse who shall 
                                be the designated point of contact to 
                                provide information and assistance to 
                                nonprofit organizations, including 
                                faith-based organizations, and houses 
                                of worship, including assistance 
                                relating to the grant program 
                                established under subsection (c).
                                    (II) Contact information.--The 
                                contact information of the designated 
                                point of contact under subclause (I) 
                                shall be made available on the website 
                                of the Clearinghouse.
                            (iv) Qualification.--To the maximum extent 
                        possible, any personnel assigned or detailed to 
                        the Clearinghouse under this subparagraph 
                        should be familiar with--
                                    (I) nonprofit organizations, 
                                including faith-based organizations, 
                                and houses of worship; and
                                    (II) physical and online security 
                                measures to identify and prevent safety 
                                and security risks.
            (2) Clearinghouse contents.--
                    (A) Evidence-based tiers.--
                            (i) In general.--The Secretary, in 
                        consultation with the Attorney General, the 
                        Executive Director of the White House Office of 
                        Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, and 
                        the head of any other agency the Secretary 
                        determines appropriate, shall develop tiers for 
                        determining evidence-based best practices and 
                        recommendations that demonstrate a significant 
                        effect on improving safety and security of 
                        nonprofit organizations, including faith-based 
                        organizations, and houses of worship.
                            (ii) Requirements.--The tiers required to 
                        be developed under clause (i) shall--
                                    (I) prioritize--
                                            (aa) strong evidence from 
                                        not fewer than one well-
                                        designed and well-implemented 
                                        experimental study; and
                                            (bb) moderate evidence from 
                                        not fewer than one well-
                                        designed and well-implemented 
                                        quasi-experimental study; and
                                    (II) consider promising evidence 
                                that demonstrates a rationale based on 
                                high-quality research findings or 
                                positive evaluations that an activity, 
                                strategy, or intervention implemented 
                                by the Department or a state or local 
                                agency is likely to improve and promote 
                                safety and security of nonprofit 
                                organizations, including faith-based 
                                organizations, and houses of worship.
                    (B) Criteria for best practices and 
                recommendations.--The best practices and 
                recommendations referred to in paragraph (1)(B)(i) of 
                the Clearinghouse shall, at a minimum--
                            (i) identify areas of concern for nonprofit 
                        organizations, including faith-based 
                        organizations, and houses of worship, including 
                        event planning recommendations, checklists, 
                        facility hardening, tabletop exercise 
                        resources, and other resilience measures;
                            (ii) involve comprehensive safety and 
                        security measures, including threat prevention, 
                        preparedness, protection, mitigation, incident 
                        response, and recovery to improve the safety 
                        and security posture of nonprofit 
                        organizations, including faith-based 
                        organizations, and houses of worship upon 
                        implementation;
                            (iii) involve comprehensive safety and 
                        security measures, including preparedness, 
                        protection, mitigation, incident response, and 
                        recovery to improve the resiliency of nonprofit 
                        organizations, including faith-based 
                        organizations, and houses of worship from 
                        threats and incidents, including natural 
                        disasters, manmade disasters, or terrorist 
                        attacks or other threats;
                            (iv) include any evidence or research 
                        rationale supporting the determination of the 
                        Clearinghouse that the comprehensive safety and 
                        security measures under clauses (ii) and (iii) 
                        have been shown to have a significant effect on 
                        improving the safety and security of 
                        individuals who, at the time of any such threat 
                        or incident, are physically located in the 
                        place or building of a nonprofit organization, 
                        including a faith-based organization, or house 
                        of worship, including--
                                    (I) findings and data from previous 
                                Federal, State, local, Tribal, 
                                territorial, private sector, and 
                                nongovernmental organization research 
                                centers relating to the safety and 
                                security of nonprofit organizations, 
                                including faith-based organizations, 
                                and houses of worship, including from 
                                targeted violence; and
                                    (II) other supportive evidence or 
                                findings relied upon by the 
                                Clearinghouse in determining best 
                                practices and recommendations to 
                                improve the safety and security posture 
                                of nonprofit organizations, including 
                                faith-based organizations, and houses 
                                of worship upon implementation; and
                            (v) include an overview of the available 
                        resources the Clearinghouse can provide to 
                        nonprofit organizations, including faith-based 
                        organizations, and houses of worship.
                    (C) Additional information.--The Clearinghouse 
                shall maintain and make available a comprehensive index 
                of all Federal grant programs for which nonprofit 
                organizations, including faith-based organizations, and 
                houses of worship are eligible, which shall include the 
                performance metrics for each grant the recipient will 
                be required to provide.
                    (D) Past recommendations.--To the greatest extent 
                practicable, the Clearinghouse shall identify and 
                present, as appropriate, best practices and 
                recommendations issued by Federal, State, local, 
                Tribal, territorial, private sector, and 
                nongovernmental organizations relevant to the safety 
                and security of nonprofit organizations, including 
                faith-based organizations, and houses of worship.
                    (E) Existing platform.--The Secretary may establish 
                and maintain the Clearinghouse on an online platform or 
                a website that is in existence as of the date of the 
                enactment of this Act.
            (3) Assistance and training.--The Secretary may produce and 
        publish materials on the Clearinghouse to assist and train 
        nonprofit organizations, including faith-based organizations, 
        and houses of worship regarding the implementation of the best 
        practices and recommendations under this subsection.
            (4) Continuous improvement.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary shall--
                            (i) collect for the purpose of continuous 
                        improvement of the Clearinghouse--
                                    (I) Clearinghouse data analytics;
                                    (II) user feedback on the 
                                implementation of resources, best 
                                practices, and recommendations 
                                identified by the Clearinghouse; and
                                    (III) any evaluations conducted 
                                regarding implementation of such best 
                                practices and recommendations;
                            (ii) in coordination with the Faith-Based 
                        Security Advisory Council of the Department, 
                        the Department of Justice, the Executive 
                        Director of the White House Office of Faith-
                        Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, and any 
                        other agency the Secretary determines 
                        appropriate--
                                    (I) assess and identify 
                                Clearinghouse best practices and 
                                recommendations for which there are no 
                                resources available through Federal 
                                Government programs for implementation;
                                    (II) provide feedback on the 
                                implementation of such best practices 
                                and recommendations; and
                                    (III) propose additional 
                                recommendations for best practices for 
                                inclusion in the Clearinghouse; and
                            (iii) not less frequently than annually, 
                        examine and update the Clearinghouse in 
                        accordance with--
                                    (I) the data analytics, feedback, 
                                and evaluations collected under clause 
                                (i); and
                                    (II) the recommendations proposed 
                                under clause (ii)(III).
                    (B) Annual report to congress.--The Secretary shall 
                submit to Congress, on an annual basis, a report on the 
                updates under subparagraph (A)(iii) made to the 
                Clearinghouse during the preceding 1-year period, which 
                shall include a description of any changes made 
                pursuant thereto to the Clearinghouse.
    (b) Notification of the Clearinghouse.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide to the 
        individuals, Federal agencies, and committees specified in 
        paragraph (2) written notification of the establishment of the 
        Clearinghouse, including updates pertaining to grant programs 
        identified under subsection (a)(2)(C).
            (2) Individuals, federal agencies, and committees 
        specified.--The individuals and entities specified in this 
        paragraph are the following:
                    (A) Every State homeland security advisor.
                    (B) Every State department of homeland security.
                    (C) Other Federal agencies with grant programs or 
                initiatives that aid in the safety and security of 
                nonprofit organizations, including faith-based 
                organizations, and houses of worship, as determined 
                appropriate by the Secretary.
                    (D) Every Cyber Security Advisor.
                    (E) Every Protective Security Advisor.
                    (F) Every Federal Bureau of Investigation Joint 
                Terrorism Task Force.
                    (G) Every Homeland Security Fusion Center.
                    (H) Every State or territorial Governor or other 
                Chief Executive.
                    (I) The Committee on Homeland Security and 
                Governmental Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary 
                of the Senate.
                    (J) The Committee on Homeland Security and the 
                Committee on the Judiciary of the House of 
                Representatives.
    (c) Federal Grants and Resources Overview.--
            (1) In general.--To the extent practicable, the Secretary, 
        when carrying out subsection (a)(2)(C), shall include a grants 
        program overview on the website of the Clearinghouse that 
        shall--
                    (A) be the location for all information regarding 
                Federal grant programs that are open to nonprofit 
                organizations, including faith-based organizations, and 
                houses of worship for the purposes of safety and 
                security;
                    (B) directly link to each grant application and any 
                applicable user guides;
                    (C) identify all safety and security homeland 
                security assistance programs managed by the Department 
                that may be used to implement best practices and 
                recommendations of the Clearinghouse;
                    (D) concurrent with the application period for any 
                grant identified under subsection (a)(2)(C), provide 
                information related to the required elements of grant 
                applications to aid nonprofit organizations, including 
                faith-based organizations, and houses of worship in 
                meeting the eligibility criteria for Federal grants; 
                and
                    (E) provide answers to frequently asked questions 
                regarding the implementation of best practices and 
                recommendations of the Clearinghouse and best practices 
                for applying for a grant identified under subsection 
                (a)(2)(C).
            (2) Provision of information relating to federal grants and 
        resources.--Each Federal agency notified under subsection (b) 
        shall provide to the Secretary or other appropriate point of 
        contact for the Clearinghouse for inclusion in the 
        Clearinghouse necessary information regarding any Federal grant 
        programs or resources of the Federal agency that are available 
        for nonprofit organizations, including faith-based 
        organizations, and houses of worship for the purposes of safety 
        and security.
            (3) State grants and resources.--
                    (A) In general.--Any State notified under 
                subsection (b) may provide to the Secretary or other 
                appropriate point of contact for the Clearinghouse for 
                inclusion in the Clearinghouse necessary information 
                regarding any grant programs or resources of the State 
                available for nonprofit organizations, including faith-
                based organizations, and houses of worship for the 
                purposes of safety and security.
                    (B) Identification of resources.--The Clearinghouse 
                shall, to the extent practicable, identify for each 
                State the following:
                            (i) Each State agency responsible for 
                        safety and security of nonprofit organizations, 
                        including faith-based organizations, and houses 
                        of worship in the State, or any State that does 
                        not have such an agency designated.
                            (ii) Any grant program that may be used for 
                        the purposes of implementing best practices and 
                        recommendations of the Clearinghouse.
                            (iii) Any resources or programs, including 
                        community prevention or intervention efforts, 
                        that may be used to assist in targeted violence 
                        and terrorism prevention.
    (d) Other Resources.--The Secretary shall, on the website of the 
Clearinghouse, include a separate section for other resources that 
shall provide a centralized list of all available points of contact 
from which a nonprofit organization, including a faith-based 
organization, or a house of worship may seek assistance in grant 
applications and in carrying out the best practices and recommendations 
of the Clearinghouse, including the following:
            (1) A list of contact information to reach Department 
        personnel to assist with grant-related questions.
            (2) The applicable agency contact information to connect 
        nonprofit organizations, including faith-based organizations, 
        and houses of worship with Protective Security Advisors.
            (3) Contact information for all Department Fusion Centers, 
        listed by State.
            (4) Information on the ``If you See Something Say Something 
        Campaign'' of the Department.
            (5) Any other appropriate contacts.
    (e) GAO Report.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
submit to Congress a report on the state of Federal grants devoted to 
safety and security for nonprofit organizations, including faith-based 
organizations, and houses of worship, and an evaluation of the relevant 
programs and resources devoted to the safety and security of nonprofit 
organizations, including faith-based organizations, and houses of 
worship as of the date of the report.
    (f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed 
to create, satisfy, or waive any requirement under Federal civil rights 
laws, including--
            (1) title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 
        (42 U.S.C. 12131 et seq.); or
            (2) title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 
        2000d et seq.).
    (g) Sunset.--This Act shall cease to be effective on the date that 
is four years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (h) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Clearinghouse.--The term ``Clearinghouse'' means the 
        Federal Clearinghouse on Safety and Security Best Practices for 
        Nonprofit Organizations, Faith-based Organizations, and Houses 
        of Worship established under subsection (a).
            (2) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the 
        Department of Homeland Security.
            (3) Faith-based organization.--The term ``faith-based 
        organization'' means a group, center, or nongovernmental 
        organization with a religious, ideological, or spiritual 
        motivation, character, affiliation, or purpose that meets the 
        definition of nonprofit organization.
            (4) House of worship.--The term ``house of worship'' means 
        a place or building, including a synagogue, mosque, temple, and 
        church, in which congregants practice their religious or 
        spiritual beliefs.
            (5) Nonprofit organization.--The term ``nonprofit 
        organization'' means an organization--
                    (A) of the type described in subsection (c)(3) of 
                section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and 
                exempt from taxation under subsection (a) of such 
                section; and
                    (B) determined to be at risk of a terrorist attack 
                or other threat by the Secretary.
            (6) Safety and security.--The term ``safety and security'' 
        means prevention of, protection against, or recovery from 
        threats and incidents, including natural disasters, manmade 
        disasters, or terrorist attacks.
            (7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Homeland Security.
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