Shielding Public Spaces from Vehicular Terrorism Act

To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize expenditures to combat emerging terrorist threats, including vehicular attacks, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Shielding Public Spaces from Vehicular Terrorism Act 2. Research and development The Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended— (1) in paragraph (11) of section 302 ( 6 U.S.C. 182 research and development to combat emerging terrorist threats, such as vehicular attacks, and the long-term (2) in subparagraph (B) of section 308(b)(2) ( 6 U.S.C. 188(b)(2) (A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking expertise in— expertise in the following: (B) by redesignating clause (xiv) as clause (xv); and (C) by inserting after clause (xiii) the following new clause: (xiv) Combating emerging terrorist threats, including vehicular attacks. . 3. Allowable uses Section 2008 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 609 (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by redesignating paragraphs (11) through (14) as paragraphs (12) through (15), respectively; and (B) by inserting after paragraph (10) the following new paragraph: (11) addressing security vulnerabilities of public spaces, including through the installation of bollards and other target hardening activities; ; and (2) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking (a)(10) (a)(12) (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. Report 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 a report on potential terrorism vulnerabilities relating to emerging automotive technologies that support driverless vehicles and the associated threat such vehicles may pose to people in public spaces. Such report shall also compare any public benefit of such vehicles against any such vulnerabilities and threats.

Summary: Shielding Public Spaces from Vehicular Terrorism Act This bill authorizes grants, and research and development, to combat emerging terrorist threats, including vehicular attacks. Specifically, the bill includes among the responsibilities of the Office of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) research and development to combat emerging terrorist threats, including vehicular attacks; includes demonstrated expertise in combating emerging terrorist threats, including vehicular attacks, among the criteria for the designation of colleges or universities as centers for homeland security; directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to permit the recipient of a grant under the Urban Area Security Initiative or under the State Homeland Security Grant Program to use grant funds to address security vulnerabilities of public spaces, including through the installation of bollards and other target hardening activities; and requires DHS to submit to the congressional homeland security committees a report on potential terrorism vulnerabilities relating to emerging automotive technologies that support driverless vehicles and the threat such vehicles may pose to people in public spaces.