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HR 9579

Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Authorization Act

119th Congress Introduced by Wesley Bell and 18 co-sponsors

HR 9579 would strengthen CRCL’s authority, oversight, and transparency within DHS to better protect civil rights and civil liberties in DHS programs.

Introduced in House
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 9579

Summary of HR 9579 (Session 119)

Purpose and intent

HR 9579 seeks to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make specific improvements to the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The bill appears aimed at enhancing the scope, effectiveness, and responsiveness of CRCL in overseeing civil rights and civil liberties related to DHS activities. While the exact wording is not provided here, typical objectives in this kind of legislation include strengthening protections for individuals, expanding reporting and oversight, and clarifying authorities within CRCL to address civil liberties concerns in DHS programs and operations.

Key provisions and changes (as commonly included in similar reforms)

Note: The precise text of HR 9579 is needed for exact provisions. Based on the bill’s title and sponsor group, expected areas of focus may include:
- Clarified mission and authorities for CRCL within DHS, including adherence to civil rights and civil liberties standards in DHS programs (e.g., border security, intelligence, immigration enforcement, disaster response).
- Enhanced reporting requirements to Congress and to the public on civil rights and civil liberties concerns, investigations, and outcomes.
- Strengthened process for handling complaints from individuals or communities regarding DHS actions, with timelier responses and transparency.
- Improved coordination between CRCL and other DHS components, as well as with other federal civil rights offices and external watchdogs.
- Potential expansion of CRCL resources, such as staffing, training, or budgetary authorities, to carry out investigations and policy reviews.
- Requirement to develop or update guidelines, training materials, and best practices to prevent civil rights violations and civil liberties infringements in DHS programs.
- Protections for whistleblowers and mechanisms to ensure accountability for civil rights violations within DHS.

Who would be affected

  • Department of Homeland Security components (e.g., U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Transportation Security Administration, etc.) by clarifying CRCL's oversight role and requiring adherence to civil rights standards.
  • Individuals and communities who interact with DHS programs, potentially including migrants, travelers, civil rights and immigrant rights advocates, and other members of the public who file complaints or are subject to DHS actions.
  • DHS employees and leadership responsible for implementing civil rights and civil liberties protections and for compliance with CRCL guidance and investigation findings.
  • Congress and watchdog entities receiving enhanced reporting and oversight information.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill has been introduced in the House and referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security as of the latest action history.
  • If advanced, it would move through committee consideration, potential amendments, and eventually floor consideration in the House.
  • Public reporting requirements and monitoring timelines typically accompany civil rights-focused reforms (e.g., annual or semiannual reports, periodic audits, and deadlines for responding to complaints), though specific dates would be defined in the bill text.

Sponsor and co-sponsors

  • Primary sponsor: (not listed in the provided data)
  • Co-sponsors include a broad slate of House members: Gwen Moore, LaMonica McIver, Wesley Bell, Al Green, Dan Goldman, Troy Carter, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Seth Moulton, Julia Brownley, Yvette Clarke, Judy Chu, Danny Davis, Grace Meng, Bennie Thompson, Shri Thanedar, Shomari Figures, Emily Randall, Jasmine Crockett, and Bonnie Watson Coleman.
  • The diverse co-sponsorship suggests bipartisan interest in strengthening civil rights and civil liberties protections within DHS.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Strengthened accountability: clearer authority and enhanced reporting could improve oversight of DHS actions affecting civil rights and civil liberties.
  • Policy alignment: DHS programs may need to adjust policies and training to align with stricter CRCL expectations.
  • Transparency: increased public access to information about CRCL investigations and outcomes.
  • Resource implications: potential increases in CRCL staffing, budget, and operational capacity to fulfill expanded duties.

For a precise understanding, the bill’s text should be consulted to identify the exact amendments to the Homeland Security Act of 2002, specific definitions, targeted programs, timelines, funding provisions, and any new enforcement mechanisms.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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