DHS Social Media Improvement Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-623
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Brooks, Susan W. [R-IN-5]
Introduced: 2015-01-30
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Advisory bodies

Congressional oversight

Department of Homeland Security

Emergency communications systems

Emergency planning and evacuation

Executive agency funding and structure

Homeland security

Internet and video services

Internet, web applications, social media

Telephone and wireless communication

Terrorism
Latest action: action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Became Public Law No: 114-80.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-01-30
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Social Media Working Group Act of 2015</b></p>  <p>Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) a social media working group (the Group) to provide guidance and best practices to the emergency preparedness and response community on the use of social media technologies before, during, and after a terrorist attack or other emergency. </p> <p>Requires the Group to submit an annual report that includes: (1) a review of current and emerging social media technologies being used to support preparedness and response activities related to terrorist attacks and other emergencies; (2) a review of best practices and lessons learned on the use of social media during the response to terrorist attacks and other emergencies that occurred during the period covered by the report; (3) recommendations to improve DHS's use of social media for emergency management purposes, to improve public awareness of the type of information disseminated through social media and how to access such information during a terrorist attack or other emergency, and to improve information sharing among DHS and its components and among state and local governments; (4) a review of available training for government officials on the use of social media in response to a terrorist attack or other emergency; and (5) a summary of coordination efforts with the private sector to discuss and resolve legal, operational, technical, privacy, and security concerns. </p>

action_date: 2015-02-02
action_desc: Passed House without amendment
text: <p>(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)</p> <p><b>Social Media Working Group Act of 2015</b></p> <p>(Sec. 2) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) a social media working group (the Group) to provide guidance and best practices to the emergency preparedness and response community on the use of social media technologies before, during, and after a terrorist attack or other emergency. </p> <p>Requires the Group to submit an annual report that includes: (1) a review of current and emerging social media technologies being used to support preparedness and response activities related to terrorist attacks and other emergencies; (2) a review of best practices and lessons learned on the use of social media during the response to terrorist attacks and other emergencies that occurred during the period covered by the report; (3) recommendations to improve DHS's use of social media for emergency management purposes, to improve public awareness of the type of information disseminated through social media and how to access such information during a terrorist attack or other emergency, and to improve information sharing among DHS and its components and among state and local governments; (4) a review of available training for government officials on the use of social media in response to a terrorist attack or other emergency; and (5) a summary of coordination efforts with the private sector to discuss and resolve legal, operational, technical, privacy, and security concerns. </p>

action_date: 2015-09-21
action_desc: Reported to Senate with amendment(s)
text: <p><b>DHS Social Media Improvement Act of 2015</b></p> <p>(Sec. 2) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) a social media working group (the Group) to identify, and provide guidance and best practices to the emergency preparedness and response community on, the use of social media technologies before, during, and after a natural disaster or an act of terrorism or other man-made disaster.</p> <p>Requires the Group to submit an annual report that includes:</p> <ul> <li> a review and analysis of social media technologies used to support preparedness and response activities;</li> <li> a review of best practices and lessons learned;</li> <li> recommendations to improve DHS's use of social media technologies for emergency management purposes, recommendations to improve public awareness of the type of information disseminated through such technologies, and recommendations on how to access such information during a disaster;</li> <li>a review of available training for government officials on the use of social media technologies in response to a disaster; and</li> <li> a review of coordination efforts with the private sector to discuss and resolve legal, operational, technical, privacy, and security concerns. </li> </ul> <p>Terminates the Group five years after the enactment of this Act unless the chairperson renews it for a successive five-year period by submitting a certification that the continued existence of the Group is necessary. Provides for successive five-year renewal periods.</p>

action_date: 2015-10-07
action_desc: Passed Senate amended
text: <p>(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on September 21, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)</p> <p><b>DHS Social Media Improvement Act of 2015</b></p> <p>(Sec. 2) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) a social media working group (the Group) to identify, and provide guidance and best practices to the emergency preparedness and response community on, the use of social media technologies before, during, and after a natural disaster or an act of terrorism or other man-made disaster.</p> <p>Requires the Group to submit an annual report that includes:</p> <ul> <li> a review and analysis of social media technologies used to support preparedness and response activities;</li> <li> a review of best practices and lessons learned;</li> <li> recommendations to improve DHS's use of social media technologies for emergency management purposes, recommendations to improve public awareness of the type of information disseminated through such technologies, and recommendations on how to access such information during a disaster;</li> <li>a review of available training for government officials on the use of social media technologies in response to a disaster; and</li> <li> a review of coordination efforts with the private sector to discuss and resolve legal, operational, technical, privacy, and security concerns. </li> </ul> <p>Terminates the Group five years after the enactment of this Act unless the chairperson renews it for a successive five-year period by submitting a certification that the continued existence of the Group is necessary. Provides for successive five-year renewal periods.</p>

action_date: 2015-11-05
action_desc: Public Law
text: <p>(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on September 21, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)</p> <p><b>DHS Social Media Improvement Act of 2015</b></p> <p>(Sec. 2) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) a social media working group (the Group) to identify, and provide guidance and best practices to the emergency preparedness and response community on, the use of social media technologies before, during, and after a natural disaster or an act of terrorism or other man-made disaster.</p> <p>Requires the Group to submit an annual report that includes:</p> <ul> <li> a review and analysis of social media technologies used to support preparedness and response activities;</li> <li> a review of best practices and lessons learned;</li> <li> recommendations to improve DHS's use of social media technologies for emergency management purposes, recommendations to improve public awareness of the type of information disseminated through such technologies, and recommendations on how to access such information during a disaster;</li> <li>a review of available training for government officials on the use of social media technologies in response to a disaster; and</li> <li> a review of coordination efforts with the private sector to discuss and resolve legal, operational, technical, privacy, and security concerns. </li> </ul> <p>Terminates the Group five years after the enactment of this Act unless the chairperson renews it for a successive five-year period by submitting a certification that the continued existence of the Group is necessary. Provides for successive five-year renewal periods.</p>

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 623 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 30, 2015 Mrs. Brooks of Indiana (for herself, Mr. McCaul , and Mr. Payne ) introduced the following bill; which was 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 A BILL To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the Department of Homeland Security to establish a social media working group, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Social Media Working Group Act of 2015 . 2. Social media working group (a) In general Title III of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 181 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 318. Social media working group (a) Establishment The Secretary shall establish within the Department a social media working group (in this section referred to as the Group ). (b) Purpose In order to enhance information sharing between the Department and appropriate stakeholders, the Group shall provide guidance and best practices to the emergency preparedness and response community on the use of social media technologies before, during, and after a terrorist attack or other emergency. (c) Membership (1) In general The Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall serve as the permanent chairperson of the Group, and shall designate, on a rotating basis, a representative from a State or local government who is a member of the Group to serve as co-chairperson. The Under Secretary shall establish term limits for individuals appointed to the Group pursuant to paragraph (2). Membership of the Group shall be composed of a cross section of subject matter experts from Federal, State, local, tribal, and nongovernmental organization practitioners, including representatives from the following entities: (A) The Office of Public Affairs of the Department. (B) The Office of the Chief Information Officer of the Department. (C) The Privacy Office of the Department. (D) The Federal Emergency Management Agency. (E) The Office of Disability Integration and Coordination of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. (F) The American Red Cross. (G) The Forest Service. (H) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (I) The United States Geological Survey. (J) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2) Additional members The Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall appoint, on a rotating basis, qualified individuals to the Group. The total number of such additional members shall— (A) be equal to or greater than the total number of regular members under paragraph (1); and (B) include— (i) not fewer than three representatives from the private sector; and (ii) representatives from— (I) State, local, and tribal entities, including from— (aa) law enforcement; (bb) fire services; (cc) emergency management; and (dd) public health entities; (II) universities and academia; and (III) non-profit disaster relief organizations. (d) Consultation with non-Members To the extent practicable, the Group shall work with existing bodies in the public and private sectors to carry out subsection (b). (e) Meetings (1) Initial meeting Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Group shall hold its initial meeting. Such initial meeting may be held virtually. (2) Subsequent meetings After the initial meeting under paragraph (1), the Group shall meet at least twice each year, or at the call of the Chairperson. Such subsequent meetings may be held virtually. (f) Nonapplicability of FACA The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Group. (g) Reports Not later than March 30 of each year, the Group shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that includes the following: (1) A review of current and emerging social media technologies being used to support preparedness and response activities related to terrorist attacks and other emergencies. (2) A review of best practices and lessons learned on the use of social media during the response to terrorist attacks and other emergencies that occurred during the period covered by the report at issue. (3) Recommendations to improve the Department’s use of social media for emergency management purposes. (4) Recommendations to improve public awareness of the type of information disseminated through social media, and how to access such information, during a terrorist attack or other emergency. (5) Recommendations to improve information sharing among the Department and its components. (6) Recommendations to improve information sharing among State and local governments. (7) A review of available training for Federal, State, local, and tribal officials on the use of social media in response to a terrorist attack or other emergency. (8) A summary of coordination efforts with the private sector to discuss and resolve legal, operational, technical, privacy, and security concerns. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 317 the following new item: Sec. 318. Social media working group. .

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 623 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the Department of Homeland Security to establish a social media working group, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Social Media Working Group Act of 2015 . 2. Social media working group (a) In general Title III of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 181 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 318. Social media working group (a) Establishment The Secretary shall establish within the Department a social media working group (in this section referred to as the Group ). (b) Purpose In order to enhance information sharing between the Department and appropriate stakeholders, the Group shall provide guidance and best practices to the emergency preparedness and response community on the use of social media technologies before, during, and after a terrorist attack or other emergency. (c) Membership (1) In general The Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall serve as the permanent chairperson of the Group, and shall designate, on a rotating basis, a representative from a State or local government who is a member of the Group to serve as co-chairperson. The Under Secretary shall establish term limits for individuals appointed to the Group pursuant to paragraph (2). Membership of the Group shall be composed of a cross section of subject matter experts from Federal, State, local, tribal, and nongovernmental organization practitioners, including representatives from the following entities: (A) The Office of Public Affairs of the Department. (B) The Office of the Chief Information Officer of the Department. (C) The Privacy Office of the Department. (D) The Federal Emergency Management Agency. (E) The Office of Disability Integration and Coordination of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. (F) The American Red Cross. (G) The Forest Service. (H) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (I) The United States Geological Survey. (J) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2) Additional members The Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall appoint, on a rotating basis, qualified individuals to the Group. The total number of such additional members shall— (A) be equal to or greater than the total number of regular members under paragraph (1); and (B) include— (i) not fewer than three representatives from the private sector; and (ii) representatives from— (I) State, local, and tribal entities, including from— (aa) law enforcement; (bb) fire services; (cc) emergency management; and (dd) public health entities; (II) universities and academia; and (III) nonprofit disaster relief organizations. (d) Consultation with non-Members To the extent practicable, the Group shall work with existing bodies in the public and private sectors to carry out subsection (b). (e) Meetings (1) Initial meeting Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Group shall hold its initial meeting. Such initial meeting may be held virtually. (2) Subsequent meetings After the initial meeting under paragraph (1), the Group shall meet at least twice each year, or at the call of the Chairperson. Such subsequent meetings may be held virtually. (f) Nonapplicability of FACA The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Group. (g) Reports Not later than March 30 of each year, the Group shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that includes the following: (1) A review of current and emerging social media technologies being used to support preparedness and response activities related to terrorist attacks and other emergencies. (2) A review of best practices and lessons learned on the use of social media during the response to terrorist attacks and other emergencies that occurred during the period covered by the report at issue. (3) Recommendations to improve the Department’s use of social media for emergency management purposes. (4) Recommendations to improve public awareness of the type of information disseminated through social media, and how to access such information, during a terrorist attack or other emergency. (5) Recommendations to improve information sharing among the Department and its components. (6) Recommendations to improve information sharing among State and local governments. (7) A review of available training for Federal, State, local, and tribal officials on the use of social media in response to a terrorist attack or other emergency. (8) A summary of coordination efforts with the private sector to discuss and resolve legal, operational, technical, privacy, and security concerns. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 317 the following new item: Sec. 318. Social media working group. .

Passed the House of Representatives February 2, 2015. Karen L. Haas, Clerk.

tv_txt: IIB 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 623 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 3, 2015 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs AN ACT To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the Department of Homeland Security to establish a social media working group, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Social Media Working Group Act of 2015 . 2. Social media working group (a) In general Title III of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 181 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 318. Social media working group (a) Establishment The Secretary shall establish within the Department a social media working group (in this section referred to as the Group ). (b) Purpose In order to enhance information sharing between the Department and appropriate stakeholders, the Group shall provide guidance and best practices to the emergency preparedness and response community on the use of social media technologies before, during, and after a terrorist attack or other emergency. (c) Membership (1) In general The Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall serve as the permanent chairperson of the Group, and shall designate, on a rotating basis, a representative from a State or local government who is a member of the Group to serve as co-chairperson. The Under Secretary shall establish term limits for individuals appointed to the Group pursuant to paragraph (2). Membership of the Group shall be composed of a cross section of subject matter experts from Federal, State, local, tribal, and nongovernmental organization practitioners, including representatives from the following entities: (A) The Office of Public Affairs of the Department. (B) The Office of the Chief Information Officer of the Department. (C) The Privacy Office of the Department. (D) The Federal Emergency Management Agency. (E) The Office of Disability Integration and Coordination of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. (F) The American Red Cross. (G) The Forest Service. (H) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (I) The United States Geological Survey. (J) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2) Additional members The Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall appoint, on a rotating basis, qualified individuals to the Group. The total number of such additional members shall— (A) be equal to or greater than the total number of regular members under paragraph (1); and (B) include— (i) not fewer than three representatives from the private sector; and (ii) representatives from— (I) State, local, and tribal entities, including from— (aa) law enforcement; (bb) fire services; (cc) emergency management; and (dd) public health entities; (II) universities and academia; and (III) nonprofit disaster relief organizations. (d) Consultation with non-Members To the extent practicable, the Group shall work with existing bodies in the public and private sectors to carry out subsection (b). (e) Meetings (1) Initial meeting Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Group shall hold its initial meeting. Such initial meeting may be held virtually. (2) Subsequent meetings After the initial meeting under paragraph (1), the Group shall meet at least twice each year, or at the call of the Chairperson. Such subsequent meetings may be held virtually. (f) Nonapplicability of FACA The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Group. (g) Reports Not later than March 30 of each year, the Group shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that includes the following: (1) A review of current and emerging social media technologies being used to support preparedness and response activities related to terrorist attacks and other emergencies. (2) A review of best practices and lessons learned on the use of social media during the response to terrorist attacks and other emergencies that occurred during the period covered by the report at issue. (3) Recommendations to improve the Department’s use of social media for emergency management purposes. (4) Recommendations to improve public awareness of the type of information disseminated through social media, and how to access such information, during a terrorist attack or other emergency. (5) Recommendations to improve information sharing among the Department and its components. (6) Recommendations to improve information sharing among State and local governments. (7) A review of available training for Federal, State, local, and tribal officials on the use of social media in response to a terrorist attack or other emergency. (8) A summary of coordination efforts with the private sector to discuss and resolve legal, operational, technical, privacy, and security concerns. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 317 the following new item: Sec. 318. Social media working group. .

Passed the House of Representatives February 2, 2015. Karen L. Haas, Clerk

tv_txt: II Calendar No. 234 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 623 [Report No. 114–145] IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 3, 2015 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs September 21, 2015 Reported by Mr. Johnson , with an amendment Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic AN ACT To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the Department of Homeland Security to establish a social media working group, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Social Media Working Group Act of 2015 . 2. Social media working group (a) In general Title III of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 181 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 318. Social media working group (a) Establishment The Secretary shall establish within the Department a social media working group (in this section referred to as the Group ). (b) Purpose In order to enhance information sharing between the Department and appropriate stakeholders, the Group shall provide guidance and best practices to the emergency preparedness and response community on the use of social media technologies before, during, and after a terrorist attack or other emergency. (c) Membership (1) In general The Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall serve as the permanent chairperson of the Group, and shall designate, on a rotating basis, a representative from a State or local government who is a member of the Group to serve as co-chairperson. The Under Secretary shall establish term limits for individuals appointed to the Group pursuant to paragraph (2). Membership of the Group shall be composed of a cross section of subject matter experts from Federal, State, local, tribal, and nongovernmental organization practitioners, including representatives from the following entities: (A) The Office of Public Affairs of the Department. (B) The Office of the Chief Information Officer of the Department. (C) The Privacy Office of the Department. (D) The Federal Emergency Management Agency. (E) The Office of Disability Integration and Coordination of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. (F) The American Red Cross. (G) The Forest Service. (H) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (I) The United States Geological Survey. (J) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2) Additional members The Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall appoint, on a rotating basis, qualified individuals to the Group. The total number of such additional members shall— (A) be equal to or greater than the total number of regular members under paragraph (1); and (B) include— (i) not fewer than three representatives from the private sector; and (ii) representatives from— (I) State, local, and tribal entities, including from— (aa) law enforcement; (bb) fire services; (cc) emergency management; and (dd) public health entities; (II) universities and academia; and (III) nonprofit disaster relief organizations. (d) Consultation with non-Members To the extent practicable, the Group shall work with existing bodies in the public and private sectors to carry out subsection (b). (e) Meetings (1) Initial meeting Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Group shall hold its initial meeting. Such initial meeting may be held virtually. (2) Subsequent meetings After the initial meeting under paragraph (1), the Group shall meet at least twice each year, or at the call of the Chairperson. Such subsequent meetings may be held virtually. (f) Nonapplicability of FACA The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Group. (g) Reports Not later than March 30 of each year, the Group shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that includes the following: (1) A review of current and emerging social media technologies being used to support preparedness and response activities related to terrorist attacks and other emergencies. (2) A review of best practices and lessons learned on the use of social media during the response to terrorist attacks and other emergencies that occurred during the period covered by the report at issue. (3) Recommendations to improve the Department’s use of social media for emergency management purposes. (4) Recommendations to improve public awareness of the type of information disseminated through social media, and how to access such information, during a terrorist attack or other emergency. (5) Recommendations to improve information sharing among the Department and its components. (6) Recommendations to improve information sharing among State and local governments. (7) A review of available training for Federal, State, local, and tribal officials on the use of social media in response to a terrorist attack or other emergency. (8) A summary of coordination efforts with the private sector to discuss and resolve legal, operational, technical, privacy, and security concerns. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 317 the following new item: Sec. 318. Social media working group. .

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the DHS Social Media Improvement Act of 2015 . 2. Social media working group (a) In general Title III of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 181 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 318. Social media working group (a) Establishment The Secretary shall establish within the Department a social media working group (in this section referred to as the Group ). (b) Purpose In order to enhance the dissemination of information through social media technologies between the Department and appropriate stakeholders and to improve use of social media technologies in support of preparedness, response, and recovery, the Group shall identify, and provide guidance and best practices to the emergency preparedness and response community on, the use of social media technologies before, during, and after a natural disaster or an act of terrorism or other man-made disaster. (c) Membership (1) In general Membership of the Group shall be composed of a cross section of subject matter experts from Federal, State, local, tribal, territorial, and nongovernmental organization practitioners, including representatives from the following entities: (A) The Office of Public Affairs of the Department. (B) The Office of the Chief Information Officer of the Department. (C) The Privacy Office of the Department. (D) The Federal Emergency Management Agency. (E) The Office of Disability Integration and Coordination of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. (F) The American Red Cross. (G) The Forest Service. (H) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (I) The United States Geological Survey. (J) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2) Chairperson; co-chairperson (A) Chairperson The Secretary, or a designee of the Secretary, shall serve as the chairperson of the Group. (B) Co-chairperson The chairperson shall designate, on a rotating basis, a representative from a State or local government who is a member of the Group to serve as the co-chairperson of the Group. (3) Additional members The chairperson shall appoint, on a rotating basis, qualified individuals to the Group. The total number of such additional members shall— (A) be equal to or greater than the total number of regular members under paragraph (1); and (B) include— (i) not fewer than 3 representatives from the private sector; and (ii) representatives from— (I) State, local, tribal, and territorial entities, including from— (aa) law enforcement; (bb) fire services; (cc) emergency management; and (dd) public health entities; (II) universities and academia; and (III) nonprofit disaster relief organizations. (4) Term limits The chairperson shall establish term limits for individuals appointed to the Group under paragraph (3). (d) Consultation with non-members To the extent practicable, the Group shall work with entities in the public and private sectors to carry out subsection (b). (e) Meetings (1) Initial meeting Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Group shall hold its initial meeting. (2) Subsequent meetings After the initial meeting under paragraph (1), the Group shall meet— (A) at the call of the chairperson; and (B) not less frequently than twice each year. (3) Virtual meetings Each meeting of the Group may be held virtually. (f) Reports During each year in which the Group meets, the Group shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that includes the following: (1) A review and analysis of current and emerging social media technologies being used to support preparedness and response activities related to natural disasters and acts of terrorism and other man-made disasters. (2) A review of best practices and lessons learned on the use of social media technologies during the response to natural disasters and acts of terrorism and other man-made disasters that occurred during the period covered by the report at issue. (3) Recommendations to improve the Department’s use of social media technologies for emergency management purposes. (4) Recommendations to improve public awareness of the type of information disseminated through social media technologies, and how to access such information, during a natural disaster or an act of terrorism or other man-made disaster. (5) A review of available training for Federal, State, local, tribal, and territorial officials on the use of social media technologies in response to a natural disaster or an act of terrorism or other man-made disaster. (6) A review of coordination efforts with the private sector to discuss and resolve legal, operational, technical, privacy, and security concerns. (g) Duration of Group (1) In general The Group shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of this section unless the chairperson renews the Group for a successive 5-year period, prior to the date on which the Group would otherwise terminate, by submitting to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives a certification that the continued existence of the Group is necessary to fulfill the purpose described in subsection (b). (2) Continued renewal The chairperson may continue to renew the Group for successive 5-year periods by submitting a certification in accordance with paragraph (1) prior to the date on which the Group would otherwise terminate. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 317 the following: Sec. 318. Social media working group. .

September 21, 2015 Reported with an amendment

tv_txt: 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H.R. 623 In the Senate of the United States, October 7, 2015. Amendment:

That the bill from the House of Representatives (H.R. 623) entitled An Act to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the Department of Homeland Security to establish a social media working group, and for other purposes. , do pass with the following Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert: 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the DHS Social Media Improvement Act of 2015 . 2. Social media working group (a) In general Title III of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 181 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 318. Social media working group (a) Establishment The Secretary shall establish within the Department a social media working group (in this section referred to as the Group ). (b) Purpose In order to enhance the dissemination of information through social media technologies between the Department and appropriate stakeholders and to improve use of social media technologies in support of preparedness, response, and recovery, the Group shall identify, and provide guidance and best practices to the emergency preparedness and response community on, the use of social media technologies before, during, and after a natural disaster or an act of terrorism or other man-made disaster. (c) Membership (1) In general Membership of the Group shall be composed of a cross section of subject matter experts from Federal, State, local, tribal, territorial, and nongovernmental organization practitioners, including representatives from the following entities: (A) The Office of Public Affairs of the Department. (B) The Office of the Chief Information Officer of the Department. (C) The Privacy Office of the Department. (D) The Federal Emergency Management Agency. (E) The Office of Disability Integration and Coordination of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. (F) The American Red Cross. (G) The Forest Service. (H) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (I) The United States Geological Survey. (J) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2) Chairperson; co-chairperson (A) Chairperson The Secretary, or a designee of the Secretary, shall serve as the chairperson of the Group. (B) Co-chairperson The chairperson shall designate, on a rotating basis, a representative from a State or local government who is a member of the Group to serve as the co-chairperson of the Group. (3) Additional members The chairperson shall appoint, on a rotating basis, qualified individuals to the Group. The total number of such additional members shall— (A) be equal to or greater than the total number of regular members under paragraph (1); and (B) include— (i) not fewer than 3 representatives from the private sector; and (ii) representatives from— (I) State, local, tribal, and territorial entities, including from— (aa) law enforcement; (bb) fire services; (cc) emergency management; and (dd) public health entities; (II) universities and academia; and (III) nonprofit disaster relief organizations. (4) Term limits The chairperson shall establish term limits for individuals appointed to the Group under paragraph (3). (d) Consultation with non-members To the extent practicable, the Group shall work with entities in the public and private sectors to carry out subsection (b). (e) Meetings (1) Initial meeting Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Group shall hold its initial meeting. (2) Subsequent meetings After the initial meeting under paragraph (1), the Group shall meet— (A) at the call of the chairperson; and (B) not less frequently than twice each year. (3) Virtual meetings Each meeting of the Group may be held virtually. (f) Reports During each year in which the Group meets, the Group shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that includes the following: (1) A review and analysis of current and emerging social media technologies being used to support preparedness and response activities related to natural disasters and acts of terrorism and other man-made disasters. (2) A review of best practices and lessons learned on the use of social media technologies during the response to natural disasters and acts of terrorism and other man-made disasters that occurred during the period covered by the report at issue. (3) Recommendations to improve the Department’s use of social media technologies for emergency management purposes. (4) Recommendations to improve public awareness of the type of information disseminated through social media technologies, and how to access such information, during a natural disaster or an act of terrorism or other man-made disaster. (5) A review of available training for Federal, State, local, tribal, and territorial officials on the use of social media technologies in response to a natural disaster or an act of terrorism or other man-made disaster. (6) A review of coordination efforts with the private sector to discuss and resolve legal, operational, technical, privacy, and security concerns. (g) Duration of Group (1) In general The Group shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of this section unless the chairperson renews the Group for a successive 5-year period, prior to the date on which the Group would otherwise terminate, by submitting to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives a certification that the continued existence of the Group is necessary to fulfill the purpose described in subsection (b). (2) Continued renewal The chairperson may continue to renew the Group for successive 5-year periods by submitting a certification in accordance with paragraph (1) prior to the date on which the Group would otherwise terminate. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 317 the following: Sec. 318. Social media working group. .

Secretary

tv_txt: I One Hundred Fourteenth Congress of the United States of America At the First Session Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, the sixth day of January, two thousand and fifteen H. R. 623 AN ACT To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the Department of Homeland Security to establish a social media working group, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the DHS Social Media Improvement Act of 2015 . 2. Social media working group (a) In general Title III of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 181 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 318. Social media working group (a) Establishment The Secretary shall establish within the Department a social media working group (in this section referred to as the Group ). (b) Purpose In order to enhance the dissemination of information through social media technologies between the Department and appropriate stakeholders and to improve use of social media technologies in support of preparedness, response, and recovery, the Group shall identify, and provide guidance and best practices to the emergency preparedness and response community on, the use of social media technologies before, during, and after a natural disaster or an act of terrorism or other man-made disaster. (c) Membership (1) In general Membership of the Group shall be composed of a cross section of subject matter experts from Federal, State, local, tribal, territorial, and nongovernmental organization practitioners, including representatives from the following entities: (A) The Office of Public Affairs of the Department. (B) The Office of the Chief Information Officer of the Department. (C) The Privacy Office of the Department. (D) The Federal Emergency Management Agency. (E) The Office of Disability Integration and Coordination of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. (F) The American Red Cross. (G) The Forest Service. (H) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (I) The United States Geological Survey. (J) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2) Chairperson; co-chairperson (A) Chairperson The Secretary, or a designee of the Secretary, shall serve as the chairperson of the Group. (B) Co-chairperson The chairperson shall designate, on a rotating basis, a representative from a State or local government who is a member of the Group to serve as the co-chairperson of the Group. (3) Additional members The chairperson shall appoint, on a rotating basis, qualified individuals to the Group. The total number of such additional members shall— (A) be equal to or greater than the total number of regular members under paragraph (1); and (B) include— (i) not fewer than 3 representatives from the private sector; and (ii) representatives from— (I) State, local, tribal, and territorial entities, including from— (aa) law enforcement; (bb) fire services; (cc) emergency management; and (dd) public health entities; (II) universities and academia; and (III) nonprofit disaster relief organizations. (4) Term limits The chairperson shall establish term limits for individuals appointed to the Group under paragraph (3). (d) Consultation with non-members To the extent practicable, the Group shall work with entities in the public and private sectors to carry out subsection (b). (e) Meetings (1) Initial meeting Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Group shall hold its initial meeting. (2) Subsequent meetings After the initial meeting under paragraph (1), the Group shall meet— (A) at the call of the chairperson; and (B) not less frequently than twice each year. (3) Virtual meetings Each meeting of the Group may be held virtually. (f) Reports During each year in which the Group meets, the Group shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that includes the following: (1) A review and analysis of current and emerging social media technologies being used to support preparedness and response activities related to natural disasters and acts of terrorism and other man-made disasters. (2) A review of best practices and lessons learned on the use of social media technologies during the response to natural disasters and acts of terrorism and other man-made disasters that occurred during the period covered by the report at issue. (3) Recommendations to improve the Department’s use of social media technologies for emergency management purposes. (4) Recommendations to improve public awareness of the type of information disseminated through social media technologies, and how to access such information, during a natural disaster or an act of terrorism or other man-made disaster. (5) A review of available training for Federal, State, local, tribal, and territorial officials on the use of social media technologies in response to a natural disaster or an act of terrorism or other man-made disaster. (6) A review of coordination efforts with the private sector to discuss and resolve legal, operational, technical, privacy, and security concerns. (g) Duration of Group (1) In general The Group shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of this section unless the chairperson renews the Group for a successive 5-year period, prior to the date on which the Group would otherwise terminate, by submitting to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives a certification that the continued existence of the Group is necessary to fulfill the purpose described in subsection (b). (2) Continued renewal The chairperson may continue to renew the Group for successive 5-year periods by submitting a certification in accordance with paragraph (1) prior to the date on which the Group would otherwise terminate. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 317 the following: Sec. 318. Social media working group. .

Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.