Office for Bombing Prevention

(a) In general Subtitle A of title II of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 121 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 211. Office for Bombing Prevention (a) Establishment There is established within the Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department an Office for Bombing Prevention (in this section referred to as the ‘Office’), which shall be headed by an individual in the Senior Executive Service with subject matter expertise in deterring, detecting, preventing, protecting against, mitigating, and responding to terrorist explosive threats and attacks. (b) Principal responsibilities The head of the Office shall— (1) act as the primary coordinator for the Department of Homeland Security with all elements of the Department of Defense that have responsibilities for the disposal of explosive ordnance; (2) ensure the effectiveness of intelligence and other information sharing between such elements of the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security, including the Federal, State, local, and tribal partners of the Department of Homeland Security; and (3) advise the Secretary on matters related to terrorist explosive threats and attacks in the United States. (c) Functions The Office shall have the primary responsibility within the Department of Homeland Security for enhancing the ability of, and coordinating the efforts of, the United States to deter, detect, prevent, protect against, mitigate, and respond to terrorist explosive threats and attacks in the United States, including by the following: (1) Coordinating the efforts of the Department to counter terrorist explosive threats and attacks in the United States, including by— (A) developing, in consultation with the Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans, the strategy of the Department against terrorist explosive threats and attacks, including efforts to support the security and preparedness of critical infrastructure and the public sector and private sector; (B) leading the prioritization of the efforts of the Department against terrorist explosive threats and attacks, including preparedness and operational requirements; (C) ensuring, in consultation with the Under Secretary for Science and Technology and the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the identification, evaluation, and availability of effective technology applications through field pilot testing and acquisition of such technology applications by the public sector to deter, detect, prevent, protect against, mitigate, and respond to terrorist explosive threats and attacks in the United States; (D) providing advice and recommendations to the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency regarding the effective use of grants authorized under section 2002; and (E) aligning, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary for the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, the efforts of the Department related to terrorist explosive threats and attacks in the United States and weapons of mass destruction. (2) Engaging other Federal departments and agencies, including Sector Risk Management Agencies and relevant elements of the Department of Defense, regarding terrorist explosive threats and attacks in the United States. (3) Facilitating information sharing and decision support of the public and private sectors involved in deterrence, detection, prevention, protection against, mitigation of, and response to terrorist explosive threats and attacks in the United States, including, when appropriate, delivering information to the public and private sectors using open-source materials or downgrading the classification level of information. (4) Providing training, guidance, planning, assessments, and technical assistance to the public and private sectors, as appropriate, to help counter the risk of terrorist explosive threats and attacks in the United States. The training and technical assistance provided under this paragraph shall include— (A) support efforts to prepare for and respond to bomb threats or other acts concerning explosive threats and attacks in the United States; and (B) support of public and private sector preparedness for security of critical infrastructure, facilities, and special events, as appropriate. (5) Promoting security awareness, through educational outreach or secure information sharing, where appropriate, among the public sector, the private sector, and the general public regarding the risks posed by the misuse of explosive precursor chemicals and other bomb-making materials. (6) Conducting analysis and planning for the capabilities and requirements necessary for the public and private sectors, as appropriate, to deter, detect, prevent, protect against, mitigate, and respond to terrorist explosive threats and attacks in the United States, including by— (A) maintaining a database on capabilities and requirements, including capabilities and requirements of public safety bomb squads, explosive detection canine teams, special tactics teams, and public safety dive teams; and (B) applying the analysis derived from the database described in subparagraph (A) with respect to— (i) evaluating progress toward closing identified gaps relating to national strategic goals and standards related to deterring, detecting, preventing, protecting against, mitigating, and responding to terrorist explosive threats and attacks in the United States; and (ii) informing decisions relating to homeland security policy, assistance, training, research, development efforts, testing and evaluation, and related requirements regarding deterring, detecting, preventing, protecting against, mitigating, and responding to terrorist explosive threats and attacks in the United States. (7) Facilitating secure information sharing of sensitive material and promoting security awareness, including by— (A) operating and maintaining a secure information sharing system that allows sharing among and between the public and private sectors of critical information relating to explosive attack tactics, techniques, and procedures; (B) working with international partners, in consultation with the Office of International Affairs of the Department, to develop and share effective practices to deter, detect, prevent, protect against, mitigate, and respond to terrorist explosive threats and attacks in the United States; (C) executing national public awareness and vigilance campaigns relating to— (i) terrorist explosive threats and attacks in the United States; (ii) preventing explosive attacks; and (iii) activities and measures underway to safeguard the United States; and (D) working with relevant stakeholder organizations. (8) Providing any other assistance the Secretary determines necessary.. (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents at the beginning of such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 210G the following new item: Sec. 211. Office for Bombing Prevention.. (c) Department of Defense synchronization The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that— (1) planning and operations of the Department of Defense are updated to reflect the changes made by this section in a timely manner; and (2) access to appropriate defense and military intelligence information sharing is maintained during the transition from any existing office with the Department of Homeland Security to the Office of Bombing Prevention as established by this section in a way that would not impede a response in an emergency or on-going operations.