DHS Basic Training Accreditation Improvement Act of 2021
Bill: H.R.5616 | Sponsor: Rep. Demings, Val Butler (D-FL)
Policy area: Emergency Management

Summary:
DHS Basic Training Accreditation Improvement Act of 2021
This bill addresses issues involving accreditation and law enforcement training, research, and development at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Specifically, the bill requires DHS to report to the congressional homeland security committees on the accreditation status for each basic training program within DHS. If a basic training program loses accreditation, the relevant DHS component shall notify the department within 30 days after such loss.
The Under Secretary for Science and Technology must carry out research and development of systems and technologies to enhance access to training offered by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers to state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement, with particular attention to rural or remote communities, to enhance domestic preparedness for and collective response to terrorism and other homeland security threats.

To require reporting regarding accreditation of basic training programs 
    of the Department of Homeland Security, 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 ``DHS Basic Training Accreditation 
Improvement Act of 2021''.

SEC. 2. REPORTING ON BASIC TRAINING PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 
              HOMELAND SECURITY.

    (a) Annual Reporting.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the 
        Secretary of Homeland Security shall report to the relevant 
        congressional committees on the accreditation status for each 
        basic training program within the Department of Homeland 
        Security, including information relating to the following:
                    (A) The date on which each such program achieved 
                initial accreditation, or in the case of a program that 
                is not currently accredited, the reasons for not 
                obtaining or maintaining accreditation, the activities, 
                if any, taken to achieve accreditation, and an 
                anticipated timeline for accreditation of such program.
                    (B) The date each such program most recently 
                received accreditation or reaccreditation, if 
                applicable.
                    (C) Each such program's anticipated accreditation 
                or next reaccreditation date.
                    (D) The name of the accreditation manager for each 
                such program.
            (2) Termination of reporting requirement.--Annual reports 
        under paragraph (1) shall terminate when all basic training 
        programs of the Department of Homeland Security are accredited.
    (b) Lapse in Accreditation.--
            (1) In general.--If a basic training program of the 
        Department of Homeland Security loses accreditation, the head 
        of the relevant component of the Department shall notify the 
        Secretary of Homeland Security not later than 30 days after 
        such loss.
            (2) Notice to congress.--Not later than 30 days after 
        receiving a notification pursuant to paragraph (1), the 
        Secretary of Homeland Security shall notify the relevant 
        congressional committees of the lapse in accreditation at 
        issue, the reason for such lapse, and the activities underway 
        and planned to regain accreditation.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Accreditation.--The term ``accreditation'' means the 
        recognition by a board that a basic training program is 
        administered, developed, and delivered according to an 
        applicable set of standards.
            (2) Accreditation manager.--The term ``accreditation 
        manager'' means the individual assigned by the component of the 
        Department of Homeland Security to manage accreditation 
        activities for a basic training program.
            (3) Basic training program.--The term ``basic training 
        program'' means an entry level program of the Department of 
        Homeland Security that is transitional to law enforcement 
        service, provides training on critical competencies and 
        responsibilities, and is typically a requirement for 
        appointment to a law enforcement service job or job series.
            (4) Reaccreditation.--The term ``reaccreditation'' means 
        the assessment of a basic training program after initial 
        accreditation to ensure the continued compliance with an 
        applicable set of standards.
            (5) Relevant congressional committees.--The term ``relevant 
        congressional committees'' means the Committee on Homeland 
        Security and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
        Governmental Affairs and the Committee of the Judiciary of the 
        Senate.

SEC. 3. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

    The Under Secretary for Science and Technology of the Department of 
Homeland Security shall carry out research and development of systems 
and technologies to enhance access to training offered by the Federal 
Law Enforcement Training Centers to State, local, Tribal, and 
territorial law enforcement, with particular attention to law 
enforcement in rural and remote communities, for the purpose of 
enhancing domestic preparedness for and collective response to 
terrorism and other homeland security threats.

            Passed the House of Representatives March 7, 2022.

            Attest:

                                             CHERYL L. JOHNSON,

                                                                 Clerk.