118 S2367 IS: Continuing High-quality Evaluations of Concerning and Known Persons Of Interest through National Training updates Act
U.S. Senate
2023-07-19
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II
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2367
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 19, 2023
Mr. Scott of Florida (for himself and Ms. Sinema) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
A BILL
To improve border security through regular assessments and evaluations of the Checkpoint Program Management Office and effective training of U.S. Border Patrol agents regarding drug seizures.
1.

Short titles
This Act may be cited as the “Continuing High-quality Evaluations of Concerning and Known Persons Of Interest through National Training updates Act” or the “CHECKPOINT Act”.
2.

Improving border security
(a)

Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(1)

Triennial assessments and evaluations
Not less frequently than once every 3 years, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall—
(A)
in consultation with the Office of Intelligence and Analysis, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection National Targeting Center, and other relevant intelligence or law enforcement components of the Department of Homeland Security, assess the drug type categories available in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection data systems to determine if such categories adequately reflect the drug smuggling scenarios encountered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and agents;
(B)
evaluate the drug seizures portion of the National Field Training Program to ensure proper classification and recording of seized narcotics, such as fentanyl, methamphetamine and counterfeit prescription drugs; and
(C)
assess the effectiveness of U.S. Customs and Border Protection efforts to combat human smuggling.
(2)

Checkpoint program management office
The Chief, U.S. Border Patrol shall—
(A)
update the roles and responsibilities of the Checkpoint Program Management Office and disseminate the updated roles and responsibilities to all of the U.S. Border Patrol agents in each Border Patrol sector; and
(B)
develop and regularly update the policies and procedures for immigration checkpoint oversight activities of the Checkpoint Program Management Office.
(3)

U.S. border patrol immigration checkpoints
The Chief, U.S. Border Patrol shall—
(A)
implement the Border Enforcement Secondary Tool at immigration checkpoints, wherever feasible, or implement any subsequent replacement program; and
(B)
require that secondary checkpoints use all approved surveillance technologies, whenever feasible, such as adopting license plate readers and installing closed circuit televisions.
(b)

Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations
The Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, shall—
(1)
finalize and implement a plan to regularly evaluate the drug seizures portion of the Post-Academy Program; and
(2)
regularly update the plan materials.
(c)

Assistant Commissioner, Office of Intelligence
The Assistant Commissioner, Office of Intelligence, shall—
(1)
establish the Southern Border Intelligence Center to develop the understanding of the threat in the environment along the international border between the United States and Mexico and report annually to Congress regarding the threat situation along such border;
(2)
increase the capabilities of the CBP Intelligence Watch and the CBP Joint Processing and Operations Center to provide continuous support to combating transnational criminal organizations and submit an annual report to Congress on the status of such efforts;
(3)
develop an intelligence research specialist career path, training requirements, and intelligence enterprise training academy to support border security, counter narcotic, and checkpoint operations; and
(4)
require that all intelligence research specialists are trained to the applicable performance standards and submit an annual report to Congress regarding the status of the intelligence professional workforce.
3.

Annual report
The Chief, U.S. Border Patrol shall submit an annual report to Congress that describes the actions undertaken to ensure that—
(1)
the Checkpoint Program Management Office, in coordination with U.S. Border Patrol sectors, is overseeing the consistent and accurate recording of immigration checkpoint activity data, including data regarding—
(A)
apprehensions at checkpoints, including smuggled people;
(B)
canine assists with drug seizures;
(C)
seizures of trace amounts of marijuana;
(D)
drug seizures, including drug seizures involving fentanyl mixed with another drug and drug seizures of counterfeit drugs;
(E)
non-drug property seizures; and
(F)
attempted checkpoint circumventions;
(2)
U.S. Border Patrol uses its data system to document information about all people for whom a checkpoint encounter leads to a subsequent enforcement action; and
(3)
the Checkpoint Program Management Office—
(A)
receives sustained oversight from the Office of the Chief, U.S. Border Patrol;
(B)
is held accountable for implementing its checkpoint oversight responsibilities; and
(C)
is consistently and adequately staffed.