PROTECT Act
Bill: H.R.1539 | Sponsor: Rep. Aguilar, Pete (D-CA)
Policy area: Emergency Management

Summary:
Providing Rational Options Toward the Elimination of Catastrophic Terrorism Act of 2021 or the PROTECT Act
This bill directs (1) the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop and provide guidance on terrorism preparedness and response to assist in the development of plans for addressing active shooter and mass casualty incidents, including in facilities identified by DHS as vulnerable targets; and (2) the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to consider the threat from active shooters in allocating grant funds under the Urban Area Security Initiative and the State Homeland Security Grant Program.

To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to develop and make 
available guidance relating to domestic preparedness for and collective 
   response to terrorism regarding active shooter and mass casualty 
         incident response assistance, 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 ``Providing Rational Options Toward 
the Elimination of Catastrophic Terrorism Act of 2021'' or the 
``PROTECT Act''.

SEC. 2. ACTIVE SHOOTER AND MASS CASUALTY INCIDENT RESPONSE ASSISTANCE.

    (a) In General.--Subtitle H of title VIII of the Homeland Security 
Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 451 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section:

``SEC. 890B. ACTIVE SHOOTER AND MASS CASUALTY INCIDENT RESPONSE 
              ASSISTANCE.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney 
General and the heads of other Federal agencies as appropriate, shall 
develop and make available to State, local, tribal, territorial, 
private sector, and nongovernmental partners guidance relating to 
domestic preparedness for and collective response to terrorism in order 
to assist in the development of emergency action and response plans for 
active shooter and mass casualty incidents in public and private 
locations, including facilities that have been identified by the 
Department as potentially vulnerable targets.
    ``(b) Guidance Described.--Guidance developed and provided pursuant 
to subsection (a) may relate to the development of the following:
            ``(1) A strategy for properly responding to an active 
        shooter or mass casualty incident in a public or private 
        location, including training, evacuating, and providing care to 
        persons in such location, with consideration given to the needs 
        of persons with disabilities.
            ``(2) A plan for establishing a unified command, including 
        identification of casualty collection points and staging areas 
        for law enforcement, fire response, and medical personnel.
            ``(3) A schedule for regular testing of equipment used to 
        receive communications during such an incident.
            ``(4) A practiced method and plan to communicate with 
        occupants of such location during such an incident.
            ``(5) A practiced method and plan to communicate with the 
        surrounding community regarding such an incident and the needs 
        of Federal, State, and local officials.
            ``(6) A plan for coordinating with volunteer organizations 
        to expedite assistance for victims.
            ``(7) A schedule for joint exercises and training.
            ``(8) A plan for outreach to facilities that have been 
        identified by the Department as potentially vulnerable targets.
            ``(9) Other planning documents, as determined by the 
        Secretary, including appropriate regionally focused products, 
        plans, training, and outreach.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of the Homeland 
Security Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after the item relating to 
section 890A the following new item:

``Sec. 890B. Active shooter and mass casualty incident response 
                            assistance.''.

SEC. 3. CONSIDERATION OF ACTIVE SHOOTER THREATS.

    Subsection (b) of section 2007 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 
(6 U.S.C. 608) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraph (9) as paragraph (10); and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(9) Active shooters.''.
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