Citizen and Community Preparedness Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-5890
Sponsor: Rep. Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28]
Introduced: 2008-04-24 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Animals
Child safety
Citizen participation
Colleges
Community organization
Crime and Law Enforcement
Department of Homeland Security
Disabled
Disaster relief
Disasters
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Elementary and secondary education
Elementary education
Executive reorganization
Families
Federal-Indian relations
Federal-local relations
Federal-state relations
Fire fighters
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Grants-in-aid
Higher education
Illiteracy
Minorities
Native Americans
Pets
Public service advertising
Secondary education
Social Welfare
Terrorism
Urban affairs
Volunteer workers

Summary:
action_date: 2008-04-24
text: 
Citizen and Community Preparedness Act of 2008 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish: (1) a Community Preparedness Division in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); and (2) a Citizen Corps Program in the Division, through which the Secretary of Homeland Security shall bring community and government leaders together to coordinate efforts to strengthen community involvement in emergency preparedness, planning, mitigation, response, and recovery for acts of terrorism and natural disasters.

Gives the Director of that Division primary responsibility within DHS for assisting the efforts of state, local, and tribal governments in preparing citizens for emergencies. Requires the Director to consider the unique preparedness challenges faced by specified underserved populations, including persons with disabilities and limited English proficiency, socially and economically disadvantaged households, the elderly, children, and individuals with pets.

Directs the Secretary to make grants to states to: (1) form and sustain a state or local Citizen Corps Council; and (2) develop and implement educational programs for the public on terrorism and natural disaster preparedness and volunteer responsibilities. Conditions receipt of funds by states on outreach efforts to underserved populations, neighborhoods bordering critical infrastructure, and specified communities and community service organizations.

Establishes in the Division: (1) a Community Emergency Response Team Program; (2) a Fire Corps Program; and (3) a National Citizen Corps Council.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) carry out a public affairs campaign; and (2) commence a pilot program to enhance citizen preparedness at primary and secondary schools and on university and college campuses.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-30
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 8 - 0 .
action_date: 2008-04-30
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2008-04-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response.
action_date: 2008-04-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2008-04-24
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-04-24
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-04-24
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-04-24
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E736-737)
action_date: 2008-04-24
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-04-24
text: Introduced in House