[House Report 116-25]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


116th Congress   }                                    {         Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session     }                                    {         116-25

======================================================================



 
     COORDINATING AND LEVERAGING ACTIVITIES FOR SCHOOL SECURITY ACT

                                _______
                                

 March 28, 2019.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

 Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, from the Committee on Homeland Security, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 1593]

    The Committee on Homeland Security, to whom was referred 
the bill (H.R.1593) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 
to establish a school security coordinating council, and for 
other purposes, having considered the same, report favorably 
thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill as 
amended do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
Purpose and Summary..............................................     2
Background and Need for Legislation..............................     2
Hearings.........................................................     3
Committee Consideration..........................................     4
Committee Votes..................................................     4
Committee Oversight Findings.....................................     4
C.B.O. Estimate, New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and 
  Tax Expenditures...............................................     4
Federal Mandates Statement.......................................     4
Duplicative Federal Programs.....................................     5
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............     5
Congressional Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff 
  Benefits.......................................................     5
Advisory Committee Statement.....................................     5
Applicability to Legislative Branch..............................     5
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation...................     5
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............     6

    The amendment is as follows:
    Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``Coordinating and Leveraging Activities 
for School Security Act'' or the ``CLASS Act of 2019''.

SEC. 2. SCHOOL SECURITY COORDINATING COUNCIL.

  (a) In General.--Title VII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 
U.S.C. 341 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
section:

``SEC. 711. SCHOOL SECURITY COORDINATING COUNCIL.

  ``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Department a 
coordinating council to ensure that, to the maximum extent practicable, 
activities, plans, and policies to enhance the security of an early 
childhood education program, elementary school, high school, or 
secondary schools against an act of terrorism are coordinated.
  ``(b) Composition.--The members of the council established pursuant 
to subsection (a) shall include the following:
          ``(1) The Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans.
          ``(2) The Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure 
        Security.
          ``(3) The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management 
        Agency.
          ``(4) The Director of the Secret Service.
          ``(5) The Executive Director of the Office of Academic 
        Engagement.
          ``(6) The Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs.
          ``(7) Any other official of the Department the Secretary 
        determines appropriate.
  ``(c) Leadership.--The Secretary shall designate a member of the 
council to serve as chair of the council.
  ``(d) Reports.--Not later than January 30, 2021, 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 regarding the 
council's activities during the preceding year, including information 
on any metrics regarding the efficacy of such activities and any 
engagement with stakeholders outside of the Federal Government.
  ``(e) Definitions.--In this section, the terms `early childhood 
education program', `elementary school', `high school', and `secondary 
school' have the meanings given such terms in section 8101 of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).''.
  (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 710 the following new item:

``Sec. 711. School security coordinating council.''.

                          Purpose and Summary

    H.R. 1593, ``Coordinating and Leveraging Activities for 
School Security (CLASS) Act'' would direct DHS to establish a 
council to coordinate activities, plans, and policies of the 
Department aimed at bolstering school security against acts of 
terrorism. Additionally, the legislation would require the 
Secretary to provide to the House of Representatives Committee 
on Homeland Security and the Senate Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs Committee an annual report of the 
council's activities during the preceding year, including 
information on any metrics regarding the efficacy of such 
activities.

                  Background and Need for Legislation

    Soft targets like schools and universities have long been a 
security concern and addressing whether educational 
institutions are adequately prepared to respond to and 
effectively manage acts of terrorism, active shooters and other 
large-scale emergencies continues to be a challenge for 
communities. In the 19 years since the horrific massacre at 
Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado that left 13 
people dead, U.S. schools continue to be subject to mass 
shootings. The 2017-2018 school year saw a record number of 
school shootings. Between January and May 2018, school 
shootings averaged one per week.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\Saeed Ahmed and Christina Walker, ``There has been, on average, 
1 school shooting every week this year,'' CNN. May 25, 2018. Accessed 
on September 11, 2018. https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/02/us/school-
shootings-2018-list-trnd/index.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Although Federal, State, and local preparedness efforts 
have improved in recent years, in 2016, the Government 
Accountability Office (GAO) found that while about half of 
school districts surveyed practiced emergency exercises with 
law enforcement every year, schools struggle to fund security 
priorities.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \2\Government Accountability Office, ``Emergency Management: 
Improved Federal Coordination Could Better Assist K-12 Schools Prepare 
for Emergencies,'' (GAO-16-144), March 2016, https://www.gao.gov/
assets/680/676051.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    After the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 
Newtown, Connecticut, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 
identified a series of actions its components would undertake 
to help improve school and campus security. After Newtown, DHS 
was engaged in interagency efforts pursuant to the post-Newtown 
Executive Actions President Obama issued in January 2013.
    Today, DHS's Office of Academic Engagement (OAE) conducts 
tabletop exercises and workshops around the country to discuss 
security protocols, notifications and alerts, response, and 
recovery capabilities with schools and first responders. 
Additionally, DHS's components and offices such as the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Cybersecurity and 
Infrastructure Agency (CISA), and the Secret Service provide 
support to the Department's school security efforts.
    While multiple components and offices of the Department aid 
the nation's preparedness for school security, there is no 
Congressionally authorized body within the Department tasked 
with coordinating school security activities. H.R. 1593 would 
establish a coordinating council within DHS to ensure that the 
Department's school security activities, plans, and policies 
are coordinated; bring together the Under Secretary for 
Strategy, Policy, and Plans, the director of the CISA, FEMA, 
the Secret Service, the OAE, and the Assistant Secretary for 
Public Affairs on the council; and require the Secretary of 
Homeland Security to report to relevant Congressional 
Committees annually on the council's efforts.

                                Hearings

    The Committee did not hold any legislative hearings on H.R. 
1593; however, the Committee held the following oversight 
hearing:

115th Congress

    On July 9, 2018, the Subcommittee on Emergency 
Preparedness, Response, and Communications held a hearing 
entitled ``Protecting our Future: Addressing School Security 
Challenges in America.'' The Subcommittee received testimony 
from Mr. Bob Kolasky, Deputy Under Secretary, National 
Protection and Programs Directorate, Department of Homeland 
Security; Mr. Alan Hanson, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney 
General, Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice; Mr. 
Jason Botel, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of 
Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education; 
Mr. Jared Maples, Director, New Jersey Office of Homeland 
Security and Preparedness; Mr. Ben Castillo, Director, Office 
of School Preparedness and Emergency Planning, New Jersey 
Department of Education; Major Jeanne Hengemuhle, Commanding 
Officer Division Human Resources Section, New Jersey State 
Police; Detective Sergeant Timothy P. Gerity, President, New 
Jersey Association of School Resource Officers; and Mr. Michael 
Reilly, President, New York City Community Education Council.

                        Committee Consideration

    The Committee met on March 13, 2019, with a quorum being 
present, to consider H.R. 1593 and ordered the measure to be 
reported to the House with a favorable recommendation, with 
amendment, by unanimous consent.
    The following amendment was offered and accepted by 
unanimous consent:

An amendment offered by Ms. Jackson Lee Page 3, line 10, insert 
``and any engagement with stakeholders outside of the Federal 
Government'' before the period at the end.

                            Committee Votes

    Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives requires the Committee to list the recorded 
votes on the motion to report legislation and amendments 
thereto.
    No recorded votes were requested during consideration of 
H.R. 1593.

                      Committee Oversight Findings

    In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules 
of the House of Representatives, the Committee advises that the 
findings and recommendations of the Committee, based on 
oversight activities under clause 2(b)(1) of rule X of the 
Rules of the House of Representatives, are incorporated in the 
descriptive portions of this report.

Congressional Budget Office Estimate, New Budget Authority, Entitlement 
                    Authority, and Tax Expenditures

    With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(2) of rule 
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 
308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and with respect 
to requirements of clause (3)(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules 
of the House of Representatives and section 402 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has requested 
but not received a cost estimate for this bill from the 
Director of Congressional Budget Office.
    The Committee has requested but not received from the 
Director of the Congressional Budget Office a statement as to 
whether this bill contains any new budget authority, spending 
authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in 
revenues or tax expenditures.

                       Federal Mandates Statement

    An estimate of Federal mandates prepared by the Director of 
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 423 of the 
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act was not made available to the 
Committee in time for the filing of this report. The Chairman 
of the Committee shall cause such estimate to be printed in the 
Congressional Record upon its receipt by the Committee.

                      Duplicative Federal Programs

    Pursuant to clause 3(c) of rule XIII, the Committee finds 
that H.R. 1593 does not contain any provision that establishes 
or reauthorizes a program known to be duplicative of another 
Federal program.

                    Performance Goals and Objectives

    The Committee states that pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of 
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, H.R. 
1593 would ensure that the Department of Homeland Security is 
coordinating its activities, plans, and policies aimed at 
bolstering school security against acts of terrorism, an active 
shooter, and other threats.

                          Advisory on Earmarks

    In compliance with rule XXI of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives, this bill, as reported, contains no 
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff 
benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of the rule 
XXI.

                      Advisory Committee Statement

    No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this 
legislation.

                  Applicability to Legislative Branch

    The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to 
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public 
services or accommodations within the meaning of section 
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.

             Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation


Section 1. Short title

    This section provides that this bill may be cited as the 
``Coordination and Leveraging Activities for School Security 
Act of 2019''.

Sec. 2. School security coordinating council

    This section amends the Homeland Security Act to include 
the establishment of a coordinating council within the 
Department to ensure that, to the maximum extent practicable, 
activities, plans, and policies to enhance the security of an 
early childhood education program, elementary school, high 
school, or secondary schools against an act of terrorism are 
coordinated. Members of the council are to include the DHS 
Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans, the Director 
of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security, the 
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the 
Director of the Secret Service, the Executive Director of the 
Office of Academic Engagement, the Assistant Secretary for 
Public Affairs, and any other official of the Department the 
Secretary determines appropriate. The council is to be led by a 
chair, selected by the Secretary from among the members of the 
council. On an annual basis, starting January 30, 2021, the 
Secretary is required to report to Congress on the council's 
activities during the preceding year, including information on 
any metrics regarding the efficacy of such activities.

         Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

  In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (new matter is 
printed in italic and existing law in which no change is 
proposed is shown in roman):

                     HOMELAND SECURITY ACT OF 2002


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

  (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Homeland 
Security Act of 2002''.
  (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is 
as follows:

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                          TITLE VII--MANAGEMENT

     * * * * * * *
Sec. 710. Workforce health and medical support.
Sec. 711. School security coordinating council.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


TITLE VII--MANAGEMENT

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 711. SCHOOL SECURITY COORDINATING COUNCIL.

  (a) Establishment.--There is established in the Department a 
coordinating council to ensure that, to the maximum extent 
practicable, activities, plans, and policies to enhance the 
security of an early childhood education program, elementary 
school, high school, or secondary schools against an act of 
terrorism are coordinated.
  (b) Composition.--The members of the council established 
pursuant to subsection (a) shall include the following:
          (1) The Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and 
        Plans.
          (2) The Director of the Cybersecurity and 
        Infrastructure Security.
          (3) The Administrator of the Federal Emergency 
        Management Agency.
          (4) The Director of the Secret Service.
          (5) The Executive Director of the Office of Academic 
        Engagement.
          (6) The Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs.
          (7) Any other official of the Department the 
        Secretary determines appropriate.
  (c) Leadership.--The Secretary shall designate a member of 
the council to serve as chair of the council.
  (d) Reports.--Not later than January 30, 2021, 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 regarding the council's activities during the 
preceding year, including information on any metrics regarding 
the efficacy of such activities and any engagement with 
stakeholders outside of the Federal Government.
  (e) Definitions.--In this section, the terms ``early 
childhood education program'', ``elementary school'', ``high 
school'', and ``secondary school'' have the meanings given such 
terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                                  [all]