Title: National Response Framework Improvement Act of 2020
Policy area: Emergency Management

Summary:
National Response Framework Improvement Act of 2020
This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to evaluate 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 take specified steps regarding information sharing, training, and briefing Congress.
Specifically, FEMA, acting through the National Integration Center, shall conduct an initial evaluation of the National Response Framework to determine whether there are any gaps or inefficiencies in the framework based on the response to the pandemic.
FEMA shall also

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4153 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 4153

  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.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              July 2, 2020

  Mr. Johnson introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  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.

    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 ``National Response Framework 
Improvement Act of 2020''.

SEC. 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''), acting 
through the National Integration Center, shall conduct an initial 
evaluation of the National Response Framework of the Department of 
Homeland Security to determine whether there are any gaps or 
inefficiencies in the Framework based on the response to the COVID-19 
pandemic.
    (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)), update 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;
            (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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.
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