Securing Our Schools Act

To require the Department of Homeland Security to develop a strategy to secure elementary schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education from acts of terrorism, active shooters, and other homeland security threats, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Securing Our Schools Act 2. School security strategy (a) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Under Secretary responsible for overseeing critical infrastructure protection, cybersecurity and any other related programs of the Department of Homeland Security referred to in section 103(a)(1)(H) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 113(a)(1)(H) (b) Scope The strategy required under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) A description of the coordination among the components, directorates, and offices of the Department of Homeland Security regarding current and future efforts and activities related to securing elementary schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education from acts of terrorism, active shooters, and other homeland security threats. (2) A description of ongoing efforts and activities across the components, directorates, and offices of the Department related to securing such schools and institutions from acts of terrorism, active shooters, and other homeland security threats. (3) A description of the manner in which the Department works with State, local, tribal, and territorial government organizations on efforts and activities related to securing such schools and institutions from acts of terrorism, active shooters, and other homeland security threats. (4) Recommendations for future efforts and activities related to securing such schools and institutions from acts of terrorism, active shooters, and other homeland security threats, and the promotion of such efforts and activities. (c) Report (1) In general Not later than 30 days after the development of the strategy required under subsection (a), the Secretary of Homeland Security 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 such strategy and brief such Committees on the operations and activities of the Department related to securing elementary schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education from acts of terrorism, active shooters, and other homeland security threats, and the policies and procedures developed for coordinating such efforts and activities. (2) Form The report required under this subsection shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified annex. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Elementary school; secondary school The terms elementary school secondary school 20 U.S.C. 7801 (2) Institution of higher education The term institution of higher education 20 U.S.C. 1002 3. Homeland security grants Section 2008 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 609 (1) in subsection (a)(8), by striking preparedness security, including planning, training, exercises, information sharing, and target hardening activities (2) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (6) Firearms (A) In general A grant awarded under section 2003 or 2004 may not be used for the provision to any person of a firearm or training in the use of a firearm. (B) No effect on other laws Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to preclude or contradict any other provision of law authorizing the provision of firearms or training in the use of firearms. . 4. Office of Academic Engagement (a) In general Title VII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 341 710. Office of Academic Engagement (a) Establishment There is established within the Office of Partnership and Engagement of the Department an Office of Academic Engagement. (b) Executive Director The Office of Academic Engagement shall be headed by an Executive Director, who shall report to the Assistant Secretary for Partnership and Engagement. (c) Functions In consultation with the heads of relevant components, directorates, and offices of the Department, as appropriate, the Executive Director shall be responsible for the following: (1) Conducting outreach and serving as a liaison between the Department and stakeholders in the academic community, including elementary schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education. (2) Providing information on and awareness of Department programs and assistance related to securing such schools and institutions from acts of terrorism, active shooters, and other homeland security threats. (3) Coordinating, as appropriate, exercises and vulnerability assessments related to securing such schools and institutions from acts of terrorism, active shooters, and other homeland security threats. (4) Other activities as determined by the Secretary. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Elementary school; secondary school The terms elementary school secondary school 20 U.S.C. 7801 (2) Institution of higher education The term institution of higher education 20 U.S.C. 1002 . (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 709 the following new item: Sec. 710. Office of Academic Engagement. .

Summary: Securing Our Schools Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to develop a strategy for securing elementary schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education from homeland security threats.