Strengthening Oversight of DHS Intelligence Act

To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance the Department of Homeland Security’s oversight of certain intelligence matters, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Strengthening Oversight of DHS Intelligence Act 2. Enhanced DHS oversight of certain intelligence matters The Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended— (1) paragraph (9) of section 201(d) ( 6 U.S.C. 121(d) (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking and (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period and inserting ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (C) any intelligence information under this Act is, to the extent practicable, shared, retained, and disseminated consistent with the protection of privacy rights, civil rights, and civil liberties, as determined, respectively, by the Chief Privacy Officer and the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. ; (2) in subsection (a) of section 222 ( 6 U.S.C. 142 (A) in paragraph (5)(B), by striking and (B) in paragraph (6), by striking the period and inserting ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (6) coordinate with the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis to— (A) ensure that any intelligence information under this Act is, to the extent practicable, shared, retained, and disseminated in a manner consistent with the protection of the privacy rights; and (B) provide training to intelligence personnel on privacy rights, regulations, and information practices as specified in section 552a of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Privacy Act of 1974 ; and (3) in subsection (a) of section 705 ( 6 U.S.C. 345 (A) in paragraph (5)(B), by striking and (B) in paragraph (6), by striking the period and inserting ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (7) coordinate with the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis to— (A) ensure that any intelligence information under this Act is, to the extent practicable, shared, retained, and disseminated in a manner consistent with the protection of civil rights and civil liberties; and (B) provide training to intelligence personnel on civil rights and civil liberties, with a focus on personnel who have authority to disseminate information analyzed by the Department pursuant to paragraph (6) of section 201(d) or the responsibility to review information to be disseminated pursuant to such paragraph. .

Summary: Strengthening Oversight of DHS Intelligence Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure that its handling of intelligence is consistent with privacy rights, civil rights, and civil liberties. Specifically, the DHS senior official with primary responsibility for privacy policy shall ensure that intelligence information is shared, retained, and disseminated in a manner consistent with protecting privacy rights. The DHS Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties shall ensure that intelligence information is shared, retained, and disseminated in a manner consistent with protecting civil rights and civil liberties. The Office of Intelligence and Analysis within DHS shall ensure that intelligence information is handled in a manner consistent with the guidance from the DHS privacy official and the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.