National Response Framework Improvement Act of 2020

To require the Federal Emergency Management Agency to evaluate the National Response Framework based on lessons learned from the COVID–19 pandemic, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the National Response Framework Improvement Act of 2020 2. Evaluation of National Response Framework (a) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (referred to in this Act as the Administrator (b) Requirements After conducting the evaluation required under subsection (a), the Administrator shall— (1) in accordance with section 509(b)(2) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 319(b)(2) (2) provide recommendations on actions relevant agencies can take to address gaps identified through the evaluation; and (3) conduct an additional evaluation as part of the after-action review process of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. 3. Interagency information sharing (a) In general The Administrator shall— (1) evaluate the processes for collecting and sharing information across the primary and support agencies of the emergency support functions during an incident for which the emergency support functions are activated under the National Response Framework; (2) provide recommendations to the heads of the primary and support agencies of emergency support functions for how to improve processes under paragraph (1); and (3) update the National Response Framework to account for new information collection and sharing processes that result from the evaluation and recommendations under paragraphs (1) and (2). (b) Coordination In evaluating the processes required under subsection (a)(1), the Administrator shall coordinate with the head of each emergency support function coordinator and the heads of primary and support agencies of the emergency support functions. (c) Modifications The Administrator may make modifications to the processes incorporated into the National Response Framework under subsection (a)(3) during an incident in which the emergency support functions are activated under the National Response Framework if the Administrator determines such modifications are necessary to ensure efficient communication and information sharing. 4. Training (a) Evaluation of training program Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall— (1) conduct an assessment of the training programs for primary and support agencies of the emergency support functions under the National Response Network that are in effect on the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) provide recommendations to the heads of the primary and support agencies of emergency support functions for how to improve the training programs described in paragraph (1). (b) Annual training The Administrator shall, on an annual basis and in coordination with the heads of primary and support agencies of the emergency support functions under the National Response Framework, provide training on enhancements or updates made to the National Response Framework. 5. Required briefing (a) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives on— (1) the evaluation conducted under section 2, including the updates made to the National Response Framework and the recommendations required under section 2(b); (2) the evaluation and recommendations developed under paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 3(a); and (3) the training program required to be established under section 4, including information relating to how frequently training is offered and the attendance of the training by employees of relevant agencies. (b) Notification The Administrator shall provide notice to Congress on any technology system updates that develop after the briefing required under subsection (a) that may impact information sharing efforts across the emergency support functions. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the National Response Framework Improvement Act of 2020 2. Rolling summaries of National Response Framework (a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and as frequently thereafter as the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (referred to in this Act as the Administrator 6 U.S.C. 319(b)(2) (1) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives. (b) Requirements After the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of the after-action review process of the COVID–19 pandemic by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Administrator shall conduct an evaluation of the National Response Framework, which shall include— (1) any updates, as determined necessary by the Administrator, to the National Response Framework, in coordination with the heads of the primary and support agencies of the emergency support functions, based on the gaps or inefficiencies identified through the evaluation; and (2) recommendations on actions relevant agencies can take to address gaps identified through the evaluation. 3. Required briefings The Administrator shall brief the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives on each summary required to be provided under section 2(a) not later than 1 year after the date on which the summary is provided. 4. Biennial evaluations (a) In general Section 509(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 319(b) (1) in paragraph (2)— (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking and (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (D) not less frequently than once every 2 years— (i) evaluating potential gaps and inefficiencies in the National Response Framework, including by evaluating the processes for collecting and sharing information across the emergency support function coordinators, primary agencies, and support agencies during an incident for which the emergency support functions are activated under the National Response Framework; (ii) providing recommendations to the heads of the emergency support function coordinators, primary agencies, and support agencies for how to improve processes described in clause (i); (iii) updating the National Response Framework to account for new information collection and sharing processes that result from the evaluation and recommendations under clauses (i) and (ii), including by modifying any previously incorporated processes if the Administrator determines such modifications are necessary to ensure efficient communication and information sharing; (iv) conducting an assessment of the training programs for emergency support function coordinators, primary agencies, and support agencies; and (v) providing recommendations to the heads of the emergency support function coordinators, primary agencies, and support agencies of emergency support functions for how to improve the training programs described in clause (iv). ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (3) Congressional notification Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Administrator, acting through the National Integration Center, completes an evaluation required under paragraph (2)(D), the Administrator shall provide written notice to the appropriate congressional committees. . (b) After-action evaluation For purposes of the biennial evaluation required under subparagraph (D) of section 509(b)(2) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 319(b)(2) December 14, 2020 Reported with an amendment

Summary: National Response Framework Improvement Act of 2020 This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (1) to provide summaries of any gaps or inefficiencies in the National Response Framework of the Department of Homeland Security based on lessons learned from the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic; and (2) after the end of the pandemic, as part of its after-action review process, to conduct an evaluation of the framework. Such evaluation shall include (1) any updates to the framework determined necessary by FEMA, in coordination with the primary and support agencies of the emergency support functions, based on the gaps or inefficiencies identified; and (2) recommendations on actions relevant agencies can take to address gaps identified. FEMA must brief the congressional homeland security committees on the summaries and conduct biennial evaluations and updates of the framework.