H.R. 5645

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5645 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5645

To establish a Federal Clearinghouse on Safety and Best Practices for 
Nonprofit Organizations, Faith-based Organizations, and Houses of 
Worship within the Department of Homeland Security, and for other 
purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 30, 2025

Ms. Meng (for herself, Ms. Salazar, Mr. Goldman of New York, Mr. Miller 
of Ohio, Mr. Min, Mr. Lawler, Mr. Schneider, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Correa, Mr. 
Mackenzie, Mr. Carson, and Mr. Bilirakis) 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 establish a Federal Clearinghouse on Safety and Best Practices for 
Nonprofit Organizations, Faith-based Organizations, and Houses of 
Worship within the Department of Homeland Security, and for other 
purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Pray Safe Act of 2025''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Clearinghouse.--The term ``Clearinghouse'' means the 
Federal Clearinghouse on Safety and Security Best Practices for 
Nonprofit Organizations, Faith-based Organizations, and Houses 
of Worship established under section 3(a).
(2) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the 
Department of Homeland Security.
(3) Faith-based organization.--The term ``faith-based 
organization'' means a group, center, or nongovernmental 
organization with a religious, ideological, or spiritual 
motivation, character, affiliation, or purpose that meets the 
definition of nonprofit organization.
(4) House of worship.--The term ``house of worship'' means 
a place or building, including a synagogue, mosque, temple, and 
church, in which congregants practice their religious or 
spiritual beliefs.
(5) Nonprofit organization.--The term ``nonprofit 
organization'' means an organization--
(A) of the type described in subsection (c)(3) of 
section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and 
exempt from taxation under subsection (a) of such 
section; and
(B) determined to be at risk of a terrorist attack 
or other threat by the Secretary.
(6) Safety and security.--The term ``safety and security'' 
means prevention of, protection against, or recovery from 
threats and incidents, including natural disasters, manmade 
disasters, or terrorist attacks.
(7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
of Homeland Security.

SEC. 3. FEDERAL CLEARINGHOUSE ON SAFETY AND SECURITY BEST PRACTICES FOR 
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, AND 
HOUSES OF WORSHIP.

(a) Federal Clearinghouse.--
(1) Establishment.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 270 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in 
consultation with the Attorney General, the Executive 
Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and 
Neighborhood Partnerships, and the head of any other 
agency the Secretary determines appropriate, shall 
establish within the Department a Federal Clearinghouse 
on Safety and Security Best Practices for Nonprofit 
Organizations, Faith-based Organizations, and Houses of 
Worship.
(B) Purpose.--The Clearinghouse shall be the 
primary resource of the Federal Government to--
(i) educate and publish online best 
practices and recommendations for safety and 
security for nonprofit organizations, including 
faith-based organizations, and houses of 
worship; and
(ii) provide information relating to 
Federal grant programs available to nonprofit 
organizations, including faith-based 
organizations, and houses of worship.
(C) Personnel.--
(i) Assignments.--The Clearinghouse shall 
be assigned such personnel and resources as the 
Secretary considers appropriate to carry out 
this subsection.
(ii) Detailees.--The Secretary may 
coordinate detailees on a reimbursable or a 
nonreimbursable basis as required for the 
Clearinghouse.
(iii) Designated point of contact.--
(I) In general.--There shall be not 
fewer than 1 employee assigned or 
detailed to the Clearinghouse who shall 
be the designated point of contact to 
provide information and assistance to 
nonprofit organizations, including 
faith-based organizations, and houses 
of worship, including assistance 
relating to the grant program 
established under subsection (c).
(II) Contact information.--The 
contact information of the designated 
point of contact under subclause (I) 
shall be made available on the website 
of the Clearinghouse.
(iv) Qualification.--To the maximum extent 
possible, any personnel assigned or detailed to 
the Clearinghouse under this subparagraph 
should be familiar with nonprofit 
organizations, including faith-based 
organizations, and houses of worship and with 
physical and online security measures to 
identify and prevent safety and security risks.
(2) Clearinghouse contents.--
(A) Evidence-based tiers.--
(i) In general.--The Secretary, in 
consultation with the Attorney General, the 
Executive Director of the White House Office of 
Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, and 
the head of any other agency the Secretary 
determines appropriate, shall develop tiers for 
determining evidence-based best practices and 
recommendations that demonstrate a significant 
effect on improving safety and security of 
nonprofit organizations, including faith-based 
organizations, and houses of worship.
(ii) Requirements.--The tiers required to 
be developed under clause (i) shall--
(I) prioritize--
(aa) strong evidence from 
not fewer than 1 well-designed 
and well-implemented 
experimental study; and
(bb) moderate evidence from 
not fewer than 1 well-designed 
and well-implemented quasi-
experimental study; and
(II) consider promising evidence 
that demonstrates a rationale based on 
high-quality research findings or 
positive evaluations that the activity, 
strategy, or intervention is likely to 
improve and promote safety and security 
of nonprofit organizations, including 
faith-based organizations, and houses 
of worship.
(B) Criteria for best practices and 
recommendations.--The best practices and 
recommendations referred to in paragraph (1)(B)(i) of 
the Clearinghouse shall, at a minimum--
(i) identify areas of concern for nonprofit 
organizations, including faith-based 
organizations, and houses of worship, including 
event planning recommendations, checklists, 
facility hardening, tabletop exercise 
resources, and other resilience measures;
(ii) involve comprehensive safety and 
security measures, including threat prevention, 
preparedness, protection, mitigation, incident 
response, and recovery to improve the safety 
and security posture of nonprofit 
organizations, including faith-based 
organizations, and houses of worship upon 
implementation;
(iii) involve comprehensive safety and 
security measures, including preparedness, 
protection, mitigation, incident response, and 
recovery to improve the resiliency of nonprofit 
organizations, including faith-based 
organizations, and houses of worship from 
threats and incidents, including natural 
disasters, manmade disasters, or terrorist 
attacks or other threats;
(iv) include any evidence or research 
rationale supporting the determination of the 
Clearinghouse that the comprehensive safety and 
security measures under clauses (ii) and (iii) 
have been shown to have a significant effect on 
improving the safety and security of 
individuals who, at the time of any such threat 
or incident, are physically located in the 
place or building of a nonprofit organization, 
including a faith-based organization, or a 
house of worship, including--
(I) findings and data from previous 
Federal, State, local, Tribal, 
territorial, private sector, and 
nongovernmental organization research 
centers relating to the safety and 
security of nonprofit organizations, 
including faith-based organizations, 
and houses of worship, including from 
targeted violence; and
(II) other supportive evidence or 
findings relied upon by the 
Clearinghouse in determining best 
practices and recommendations to 
improve the safety and security posture 
of nonprofit organizations, including 
faith-based organizations, and houses 
of worship upon implementation; and
(v) include an overview of the available 
resources the Clearinghouse can provide to 
nonprofit organizations and houses of worship.
(C) Additional information.--The Clearinghouse 
shall maintain and make available a comprehensive index 
of all Federal grant programs for which nonprofit 
organizations, including faith-based organizations, and 
houses of worship are eligible, which shall include the 
performance metrics the recipient will be required to 
provide for each grant.
(D) Past recommendations.--To the greatest extent 
practicable, the Clearinghouse shall identify and 
present, as appropriate, best practices and 
recommendations issued by Federal, State, local, 
Tribal, territorial, private sector, and 
nongovernmental organizations relevant to the safety 
and security of nonprofit organizations, including 
faith-based organizations, and houses of worship.
(E) Existing platform.--The Secretary may establish 
and maintain the Clearinghouse on an online platform or 
a website that is in existence as of the date of 
enactment of this Act.
(3) Assistance and training.--The Secretary may produce and 
publish materials on the Clearinghouse to assist and train 
nonprofit organizations, including faith-based organizations, 
and houses of worship regarding the implementation of the best 
practices and recommendations under this subsection.
(4) Continuous improvement.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall--
(i) collect for the purpose of continuous 
improvement of the Clearinghouse--
(I) Clearinghouse data analytics;
(II) user feedback on the 
implementation of resources, best 
practices, and recommendations 
identified by the Clearinghouse; and
(III) any evaluations conducted 
regarding implementation of such best 
practices and recommendations;
(ii) in coordination with the Faith-Based 
Security Advisory Council of the Department, 
the Department of Justice, the Executive 
Director of the White House Office of Faith-
Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, and any 
other agency the Secretary determines 
appropriate--
(I) assess and identify 
Clearinghouse best practices and 
recommendations for which there are no 
resources available through Federal 
Government programs for implementation;
(II) provide feedback on the 
implementation of such best practices 
and recommendations; and
(III) propose additional best 
practices and recommendations for 
inclusion in the Clearinghouse; and
(iii) not less frequently than annually, 
examine and update the Clearinghouse in 
accordance with--
(I) the information collected under 
clause (i); and
(II) the best practices and 
recommendations proposed under clause 
(ii)(III).
(B) Report to congress.--Not later than 3 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 3 
years thereafter during the period in which the 
Clearinghouse is in existence, the Secretary shall 
submit to Congress a report on the updates under 
subparagraph (A)(iii) made to the Clearinghouse during 
the preceding 3-year period, which shall include a 
description of any changes made pursuant thereto to the 
Clearinghouse.
(b) Notification of the Clearinghouse.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide to the 
individuals, Federal agencies, and committees specified in 
paragraph (2) written notification of the establishment of the 
Clearinghouse, including updates pertaining to grant programs 
identified under subsection (a)(2)(C).
(2) Individuals, federal agencies, and committees 
specified.--The individuals, Federal entities, and committees 
specified in this paragraph are the following:
(A) Every State homeland security advisor.
(B) Every State department of homeland security.
(C) Other Federal agencies with grant programs or 
initiatives that aid in the safety and security of 
nonprofit organizations, including faith-based 
organizations, and houses of worship, as determined 
appropriate by the Secretary.
(D) Every Cyber Security Advisor.
(E) Every Protective Security Advisor.
(F) Every Federal Bureau of Investigation Joint 
Terrorism Task Force.
(G) Every Homeland Security Fusion Center.
(H) Every State or territorial Governor or other 
chief executive.
(I) The Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary 
of the Senate.
(J) The Committee on Homeland Security and the 
Committee on the Judiciary of the House of 
Representatives.
(c) Federal Grants and Resources Overview.--
(1) In general.--To the extent practicable, the Secretary, 
when carrying out subsection (a)(2)(C), shall include a grants 
program overview on the website of the Clearinghouse that 
shall--
(A) be a location for all information regarding 
Federal grant programs that are open to nonprofit 
organizations, including faith-based organizations, and 
houses of worship for the purposes of safety and 
security;
(B) directly link to each grant application and any 
applicable user guides;
(C) identify all safety and security homeland 
security assistance programs managed by the Department 
that may be used to implement best practices and 
recommendations of the Clearinghouse;
(D) concurrent with the application period for any 
grant identified under subsection (a)(2)(C), provide 
information related to the required elements of grant 
applications to aid nonprofit organizations, including 
faith-based organizations, and houses of worship in 
meeting the eligibility criteria for Federal grants; 
and
(E) provide answers to frequently asked questions 
regarding the implementation of best practices and 
recommendations of the Clearinghouse and best practices 
for applying for a grant identified under subsection 
(a)(2)(C).
(2) Provision of information relating to federal grants and 
resources.--Each Federal agency notified under subsection (b) 
shall provide to the Secretary or other appropriate point of 
contact for the Clearinghouse for inclusion in the 
Clearinghouse necessary information regarding any Federal grant 
programs or resources of the Federal agency that are available 
for nonprofit organizations, including faith-based 
organizations, and houses of worship.
(3) State grants and resources.--
(A) In general.--Any State notified under 
subsection (b) may provide to the Secretary or other 
appropriate point of contact for the Clearinghouse for 
inclusion in the Clearinghouse necessary information 
regarding any grant programs or resources of the State 
available for nonprofit organizations, including faith-
based organizations, and houses of worship for the 
purposes of safety and security.
(B) Identification of resources.--The Clearinghouse 
shall, to the extent practicable, identify for each 
State the following:
(i) Each State agency responsible for 
safety and security of nonprofit organizations, 
including faith-based organizations, and houses 
of worship in the State, or any State that does 
not have such an agency designated.
(ii) Any grant program that may be used for 
the purposes of implementing best practices and 
recommendations of the Clearinghouse.
(iii) Any resources or programs, including 
community prevention or intervention efforts, 
that may be used to assist in targeted violence 
and terrorism prevention.
(d) Other Resources.--The Secretary shall, on the website of the 
Clearinghouse, include a separate section for other resources that 
shall provide a centralized list of all available points of contact 
from which a nonprofit organization, including a faith-based 
organization, or a house of worship may seek assistance in grant 
applications and in carrying out the best practices and recommendations 
of the Clearinghouse, including the following:
(1) A list of contact information to reach Department 
personnel to assist with grant-related questions.
(2) The applicable Agency contact information to connect 
houses of worship with Protective Security Advisors.
(3) Contact information for all Department Fusion Centers, 
listed by State.
(4) Information on the ``If you See Something Say Something 
Campaign'' of the Department.
(5) Any other appropriate contacts.
(e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed 
to create, satisfy, or waive any requirement under Federal civil rights 
laws, including--
(1) title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 
(42 U.S.C. 12131 et seq.); or
(2) title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 
2000d et seq.).
(f) Sunset.--This Act shall cease to be effective on the date that 
is 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 4. GAO REPORT.

The Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to 
Congress a report on the state of Federal grants devoted to safety and 
security for nonprofit organizations, including faith-based 
organizations, and houses of worship, and an evaluation of the relevant 
programs and resources devoted to the safety and security of nonprofit 
organizations, including faith-based organizations, and houses of 
worship as of the date of the report.
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