H.R. 4357 — DHS Reform Act of 2021

Summary

Department of Homeland Security Reform Act of 2021 or the DHS Reform Act of 2021

This bill makes extensive changes to the structure of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and to the responsibilities of DHS components.

Specifically, the bill, among other things

creates a new Associate Secretary responsible for overseeing DHS's law enforcement functions;
modifies the responsibilities of the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, including to require engagement with individuals and communities whose civil rights and liberties may be affected by DHS programs and activities;
establishes within DHS's Office of Intelligence and Analysis an analytic unit to serve as a focal point for intelligence and analysis of domestic terrorism threats;
directs DHS to establish an employee engagement steering committee to identify factors that have a negative impact on employee engagement, morale, and communications within DHS;
establishes within DHS a school security coordinating council;
directs DHS to develop and disseminate a strategy with respect to biometric technology and identity management enterprise pilot programs and programs;
requires DHS to develop, disseminate, and implement a DHS-wide directive to update or replace the strategic framework relating to countering terrorism and targeted violence;
requires that DHS's use-of-force policy be updated to emphasize de-escalation; and
requires DHS to issue a DHS-wide strategy to enhance partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutes that includes yearly goals.

H.R. 6871DHS Acquisition Reform Act
2022-05-18Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Related
H.R. 408Department of Homeland Security Mentor-Protégé Program Act of 2021
2022-12-05Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 584.
Related

2021-07-06
Introduced in House
2021-07-06
Introduced in House
2021-07-06
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
2021-07-06
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
2021-07-06
Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Transportation and Infrastructure, 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.
2021-07-06
Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Transportation and Infrastructure, 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.
2021-07-06
Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Transportation and Infrastructure, 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.
2021-07-07
Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight, Management, and Accountability.