Streamline DoD Cyber Recruitment Act
Bill: H.R.6197 | Sponsor: Rep. Slotkin, Elissa (D-MI)
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
Streamline DoD Cyber Recruitment Act
This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to study the establishment of a designated central program office within DOD to oversee all academic engagement programs focusing on cyber talent across DOD.
Upon completion of the study, DOD must determine whether it should establish a designated central program office responsible for each specified academic engagement program (e.g., recruitment or retention programs) across DOD. Additionally, DOD must justify a decision not to establish such a program office.

To require a feasibility study regarding establishment within the 
Department of Defense of a designated central program office, headed by 
 a senior Department official, responsible for overseeing all academic 
   engagement programs focusing on creating cyber talent across the 
                  Department, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Streamline DoD Cyber Recruitment 
Act''.

SEC. 2. FEASIBILITY STUDY REGARDING ESTABLISHMENT WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT 
              OF DEFENSE OF A DESIGNATED CENTRAL PROGRAM OFFICE, HEADED 
              BY A SENIOR DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL, RESPONSIBLE FOR 
              OVERSEEING ALL ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS FOCUSING ON 
              CREATING CYBER TALENT ACROSS THE DEPARTMENT.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the 
congressional defense committees a feasibility study regarding the 
establishment within the Department of Defense of a designated central 
program office, headed by a senior Department official, responsible for 
overseeing all academic engagement programs focusing on creating cyber 
talent across the Department. Such study shall examine the following:
            (1) The manner in or through which such a designated 
        central program office would obligate and expend amounts 
        relating to cyber education initiatives.
            (2) The manner in or through which such a designated 
        central program office would interact with the consortium or 
        consortia of universities (established pursuant to section 1659 
        of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 
        (10 U.S.C. 391 note)) to assist the Secretary on cybersecurity 
        matters.
            (3) The reasons why cyber has unique programs apart from 
        other science, technology, engineering, and math programs.
            (4) Whether the creation of the designated central program 
        office will have an estimated net savings for the Department.
    (b) Consultation.--In conducting the feasibility study required 
under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall consult with and 
solicit recommendations from academic institutions and stakeholders. 
including primary, secondary, and post-secondary educational 
institutions.
    (c) Determination.--
            (1) In general.--Upon completion of the feasibility study 
        required under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall 
        make a determination regarding the establishment within the 
        Department of Defense of a designated central program office 
        responsible for each covered academic engagement program across 
        the Department.
            (2) Implementation.--If the Secretary of Defense makes a 
        determination under paragraph (1) in the affirmative, the 
        Secretary shall establish within the Department of Defense a 
        designated central program office responsible for each covered 
        academic enrichment program across the Department. Not later 
        than 180 days after such a determination in the affirmative, 
        the Secretary shall promulgate such rules and regulations as 
        are necessary to so establish such an office.
            (3) Negative determination.--If the Secretary determines 
        not to establish a designated central program office under 
        subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to Congress notice 
        of such determination, together with a justification for the 
        determination.
    (d) Comprehensive Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to 
the congressional defense committees a comprehensive report that 
updates the matters required for inclusion in the reports required 
pursuant to section 1649 of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116-92) and section 1726(c) of the William 
M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2021 (Public Law 116-283).
    (e) Definition.--In this section, the term ``covered academic 
engagement program'' means each of the following:
            (1) Any primary, secondary, or post-secondary education 
        program.
            (2) Any recruitment or retention program.
            (3) Any scholarship program.
            (4) Any academic partnerships.
            (5) Any general enrichment program.
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