H.R. 6809

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6809 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6809

To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to reduce losses of life 
through better school safety standards and responses, and for other 
purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 17, 2025

Mr. Owens (for himself, Mr. Gottheimer, Mr. Diaz-Balart, and Mr. 
Moskowitz) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees 
on the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Oversight and Government 
Reform, 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 reduce losses of life 
through better school safety standards and responses, 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 ``Alyssa's Act of 2025''.

SEC. 2. EXPANSION OF THE FEDERAL CLEARINGHOUSE ON SCHOOL SAFETY 
EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES.

(a) In General.--Section 2220D of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 
(6 U.S.C. 665k) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsections:
``(f) Public Education Efforts.--
``(1) In general.--As part of the Clearinghouse, the 
Secretary may take any step necessary to carry out public 
education efforts regarding tools and processes necessary to 
avoid and address school emergencies (including school 
shootings), including with respect to prevention and response.
``(2) Programs.--The public education efforts referred to 
in paragraph (1) shall include programs to provide specialized 
information to States and school administrators to help 
identify, address, and prevent school emergencies (including 
school shootings) to protect life as quickly and efficiently as 
possible.
``(3) Means.--The Secretary shall sponsor and encourage 
research, testing, and experimentation to determine the most 
effective means to implement the tools and processes referred 
to in paragraph (1).
``(g) Training and Technical Assistance.--As part of the 
Clearinghouse, the Secretary shall provide to the individuals and 
entities referred to in subsection (a)(2) training and technical 
assistance with respect to the following:
``(1) The evidence-based practices and recommendations of 
the Clearinghouse.
``(2) Individualized consulting with schools, to determine 
for each school the best way to implement such practices and 
recommendations, as appropriate.
``(h) Subject Matter Experts.--As part of the Clearinghouse, the 
Secretary shall hire personnel and contractors with expertise in school 
safety and school administration to provide additional subject matter 
expertise in implementing evidence-based programming in schools.
``(i) Panic Alarm Technology.--
``(1) Technology development program.--As part of the 
Clearinghouse, the Secretary shall carry out a program of 
development, testing, and evaluation of panic alarm technology 
for utilization by first responders and local educational 
agencies to improve response times, recovery, and loss 
mitigation in the event of school emergencies (including school 
shootings), including with respect to the following:
``(A) Safe and reliable auxiliary equipment for 
utilization in school shooting response, detection, and 
control, including visual strobes and audio 
communications equipment and mobile equipment.
``(B) Related equipment with high sensitivity and 
reliability that are relatively inexpensive to 
purchase, install, and maintain to ensure wide 
acceptance and utilization in schools.
``(C) Methods of testing such technology on a non-
interference basis.
``(D) Specifications, standards, and acceptance and 
validation test procedures for all such equipment.
``(E) Operation tests, demonstration projects, and 
alert investigations in support of the matters 
described in subparagraphs (A) through (D).
``(2) Limitation.--The Secretary may not manufacture or 
sell any equipment developed pursuant to paragraph (1), except 
to the extent the Secretary determines necessary to develop, 
test, or evaluate such equipment.
``(3) Management studies.--
``(A) Panic alarm technology.--
``(i) Studies permitted.--The Secretary may 
conduct studies of the operations and 
management aspects of panic alarm technology 
through quantitative techniques, including 
operations research, management economics, cost 
effectiveness studies, and other techniques and 
methods as may be applicable and useful.
``(ii) Content.--The studies under clause 
(i) shall include consideration of the 
following:
``(I) The allocation of resources.
``(II) The optimum panic alarm 
technology.
``(III) The optimum geographical 
area for panic alarm technology.
``(IV) The manner of responding to 
such technology.
``(V) The operation of citywide and 
regional public safety answering 
points.
``(VI) The effectiveness, 
frequency, and methods of inspecting 
such technology.
``(B) Research.--The Secretary may conduct research 
on the following:
``(i) The productivity and efficiency of 
panic alarm technology.
``(ii) The reduction of injuries caused by 
such technology.
``(iii) The most effective types of such 
technology.
``(iv) Procedures and techniques for 
accurately measuring and analyzing the matters 
described in clauses (i) through (iii).
``(C) Assistance.--The Secretary may assist first 
responders and local educational agencies in measuring 
and evaluating, on a cost-benefit basis, the 
effectiveness of programs and activities related to 
panic alarm technology.
``(j) Projects.--As part of the Clearinghouse, the Secretary may 
conduct development, testing, and demonstration projects to introduce 
to and encourage utilization by local educational agencies new 
technology, standards, operating methods, command techniques, and 
management systems.
``(k) Rural Assistance.--As part of the Clearinghouse, the 
Secretary may assist first responders and local educational agencies in 
sponsoring and encouraging research into approaches, techniques, 
systems, and equipment to improve school emergency prevention and 
response in rural and remote areas.
``(l) Guidance.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall 
ensure that, as relevant technological and practical developments 
occur, the Clearinghouse's guidance regarding school emergencies 
(including school shootings) is as aligned as practicable with the 
related guidance of other Federal agencies (including the Department of 
Education and the Department of Health and Human Services), State and 
local governments, public sector entities, and private sector entities.
``(m) National School Safety Data Center.--
``(1) In general.--As part of the Clearinghouse, not later 
than one year after the date of the enactment of this 
subsection, the Secretary shall establish through 
SchoolSafety.gov an integrated, comprehensive National School 
Safety Data Center (in this section referred to as the `Data 
Center') for the selection, analysis, publication, and 
dissemination of information related to the following:
``(A) The prevention, occurrence, and control of 
school emergencies (including school shootings).
``(B) Results with respect to any effort to address 
school safety.
``(C) Other school safety resources, including with 
respect to hardening measures.
``(2) Duties.--The duties of the Secretary with respect to 
the Data Center are the following:
``(A) Provide an accurate nationwide analysis of 
issues related to school safety.
``(B) Identify major problems regarding school 
safety.
``(C) Assist States, local educational agencies, 
and law enforcement agencies in setting priorities 
regarding school safety.
``(D) Determine possible solutions to such 
problems.
``(3) Data.--In carrying out the duties under paragraph 
(2), the Secretary shall gather and analyze data with respect 
to the following:
``(A) The frequency, causes, trends, and responses 
with respect to school emergencies (including school 
shootings).
``(B) The number of injuries and deaths resulting 
from school violence, including information on the 
specific causes and nature of such injuries and deaths.
``(C) The property losses resulting from school 
violence.
``(D) The behavioral hazards faced by school staff, 
including the causes of staff injuries and deaths 
resulting from school violence.
``(E) The types of school safety plans utilized by 
schools, including with respect to inspection and 
updating reporting practices.
``(F) The school safety prevention and response 
laws, systems, methods, techniques, and administrative 
structures utilized in States.
``(G) The causes of, behaviors relating to, and 
best methods to control other types of school safety 
issues, including classroom outbursts, physical 
altercations, truancy, and elopement.
``(H) Any other matter as the Data Center 
determines useful and applicable.
``(4) Other duties.--In carrying out the duties under 
paragraph (2), the Secretary shall carry out the following:
``(A) Develop standardized data reporting methods 
with respect to the data described in paragraph (3).
``(B) Encourage and assist States, local 
educational agencies, and law enforcement agencies in 
developing and reporting such data.
``(C) Utilize data gathering and analysis 
organizations, both public and private.
``(5) Dissemination.--The Secretary shall carry out the 
following:
``(A) Ensure, to the maximum extent possible, 
dissemination to States, local educational agencies, 
and law enforcement agencies of the school safety data 
collected and developed with respect to the Data 
Center.
``(B) Publish through SchoolSafety.gov such data 
for utilization by Federal agencies (including the 
Department of Education and the Department of Health 
and Human Services), State and local governments, 
public sector entities, and private sector entities.
``(n) Annual Report.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than June 30 of the year 
following the date of the enactment of this subsection and 
annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report on any 
activity relating to the Clearinghouse during the preceding 
year to the following:
``(A) The Committee on Appropriations of the House 
of Representatives.
``(B) The Committee on Education and Workforce of 
the House of Representatives.
``(C) The Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 
House of Representatives.
``(D) The Committee on Homeland Security of the 
House of Representatives.
``(E) The Committee on Appropriations of the 
Senate.
``(F) The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
and Pensions of the Senate.
``(G) The Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs of the Senate.
``(2) Contents.--A report submitted pursuant to paragraph 
(1) shall include information relating to the following:
``(A) An appraisal, including statistical analyses, 
estimates, and long-term projections, of the human and 
economic losses due to school shootings.
``(B) A survey and summary of any activity relating 
to the research and technology efforts carried out 
under the Clearinghouse.
``(C) A comparative analysis of actions recommended 
in school safety plans described in subsection 
(m)(3)(E).
``(D) An assessment of the effectiveness of the 
Clearinghouse in assisting schools to develop and 
implement master plans as a means to avert violence, 
and policy recommendations for improved effectiveness.
``(E) A summary of the activities taken to assist 
first responders and local educational agencies.
``(F) A summary of the public education efforts 
carried out under the Clearinghouse.
``(G) A summary of outstanding problems with 
respect to the Clearinghouse, in order of priority.
``(H) A description of evidence-based 
recommendations for additional legislation as the 
Secretary determines appropriate with respect to school 
safety.
``(o) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Local educational agency.--The term `local 
educational agency' has the meaning given such term in section 
8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 7801).
``(2) Panic alarm technology.--The term `panic alarm 
technology' means a wearable device that allows for immediate 
contact with emergency services or emergency services agencies, 
law enforcement agencies, health departments, and fire 
departments.
``(3) Public safety answering point.--The term `public 
safety answering point' has the meaning given such term in 
section 222 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 
222).''.
(b) Directors.--
(1) Clearinghouse.--Section 2220D of the Homeland Security 
Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 665k) is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)(3)--
(i) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and 
(B) as subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively; 
and
(ii) by inserting before subparagraph (B), 
as so redesignated, the following new 
subparagraph:
``(A) Director.--
``(i) In general.--Not later than 120 days 
after the date of the enactment of this clause, 
the Secretary shall designate from among the 
personnel of the Department a Director of the 
Clearinghouse (in this section referred to as 
the `Director').
``(ii) Discharge.--In carrying out this 
section, the Secretary shall act through the 
Director.''; and
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) in paragraph (2)(B)(iii), by striking 
``subsection (a)(3)(B)'' and inserting 
``subsection (a)(3)(C)''; and
(ii) in paragraph (3), by striking 
``subsection (a)(3)(B)'' and inserting 
``subsection (a)(3)(C)''.
(2) United states secret service.--Section 2220D of the 
Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 665k) is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting ``the 
Director of the United States Secret Service,'' after 
``with'';
(B) in subsection (b)(1)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A), by striking ``for'' and inserting ``of'';
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
``and'' at the end;
(iii) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) by striking ``evidence-based 
practices published by the 
Clearinghouse'' and inserting ``such 
practices''; and
(II) by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(iv) by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph:
``(C) consult with the Director of the United 
States Secret Service to ensure that such practices and 
recommendations are aligned with the evidence-based 
support of the National Threat Assessment Center.''; 
and
(C) in subsection (d)(2), in the matter preceding 
subparagraph (A), by inserting ``the Director of the 
United States Secret Service,'' after ``with''.
(c) External Advisory Board.--Subsection (d)(2)(B) of section 2220D 
of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 665k) is amended--
(1) by striking ``establish an external advisory board, 
which shall be comprised'' and inserting ``notwithstanding 
subsection (a)(2) of section 1013 of title 5, United States 
Code, maintain an external advisory board composed''; and
(2) by striking ``representative'' and inserting 
``representatives''.

SEC. 3. FUNDING PROHIBITION AND STRATEGY FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE MAPS.

(a) Funding Prohibition.--
(1) Prohibition.--No Federal funds made available for 
fiscal year 2026 or any fiscal year thereafter may be used to 
procure an emergency response map that does not meet the 
requirements described in paragraph (2).
(2) Requirements.--The requirements for an emergency 
response map described in paragraph (1) are the following:
(A) Be in a digital geospatial format--
(i) accessible on a laptop computer, tablet 
computer, smartphone, or other mobile platform; 
and
(ii) capable of being--
(I) printed and shared 
electronically; and
(II) updated in real time.
(B) Be interoperable with emergency response 
systems using commonly accepted standards and capable 
of being digitally integrated into other mapping, 
emergency response, or public safety applications.
(C) Have symbology in accordance with guidelines of 
the National Association of Public Safety GIS.
(D) Have data owned by the owner of the site for 
which such map is procured with the right to copy, 
display, distribute, transmit, and adapt such map for 
any lawful purpose, including sharing such map with the 
governmental or private entities that provide or 
support emergency services at such site.
(E) Have data shared only via a secured and 
authenticated application programming interface.
(F) Not be stored in a data center located outside 
of the United States.
(G) Be in a format that can be oriented true north 
and on a coordinate grid.
(H) Be in a format that can display any floor of 
the site (or the portion of the site) for which such 
map is procured through overlaid, aerial imagery.
(I) Be for a site (or a portion of a site) that is 
verified annually by the local educational agency for 
accuracy by a walk through inspection of such site or 
such portion.
(J) After any funds to procure such map are 
expended, be made available to the following without 
restriction:
(i) The procurer of such map.
(ii) Each covered public safety agency that 
serves the site for which such map is procured.
(b) Strategy.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with 
the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services, shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
committees a strategy for the Federal Government to carry out 
the following:
(A) Procure an emergency response map that 
satisfies the requirements described in subsection 
(a)(2) for any site that is owned or leased by the 
Federal Government and determined to be critical by the 
Secretary.
(B) Distribute such map to each covered public 
safety agency that serves such site.
(2) Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after the date on 
which the Secretary submits the strategy pursuant to paragraph 
(1), the Secretary shall brief the appropriate congressional 
committees on such strategy.

SEC. 4. MASTER PLANS.

(a) Report.--Not later than 4 years after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the 
appropriate congressional committees a report on the establishment and 
effectiveness of master plans throughout the United States.
(b) Contents.--A report submitted pursuant to subsection (a) shall 
include the following:
(1) A summary of the extent and quality of master planning 
activities.
(2) A summary and evaluation of master plans prepared by 
States and political subdivisions of States that considers with 
respect to each such plan the following:
(A) The characteristics of the jurisdiction 
adopting such plan, including the following:
(i) Density and distribution of population.
(ii) Geographic location.
(iii) Per capita rate of--
(I) shootings; and
(II) injuries and deaths caused by 
such shootings.
(iv) Size and characteristics of political 
subdivisions of such State or of such 
subdivision.
(B) The approach to developing and implementing 
such plan.
(3) An evaluation of the best approach to the development 
and implementation of master plans, such as central planning by 
a State department of education and department of public 
safety, regionalized planning within a State coordinated by a 
State agency, or local planning supplemented and coordinated by 
a State agency.
(4) An assessment of the costs and benefits of master 
plans.

SEC. 5. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION ON RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.

Nothing in this Act may be construed to grant any rulemaking or 
other regulatory authority to the Federal Clearinghouse on School 
Safety Evidence-based Practices under section 2220D of the Homeland 
Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 665k).

SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
``appropriate congressional committees'' means the following:
(A) The Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
Representatives.
(B) The Committee on Education and Workforce of the 
House of Representatives.
(C) The Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 
House of Representatives.
(D) The Committee on Homeland Security of the House 
of Representatives.
(E) The Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
(F) The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions of the Senate.
(G) The Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs of the Senate.
(2) Covered public safety agency.--The term ``covered 
public safety agency'' means--
(A) a Federal, State, or local agency that provides 
emergency response services; or
(B) a SLTT entity (as defined in section 2200 of 
the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 650)).
(3) Emergency response map.--The term ``emergency response 
map'' means a map of a site (or a portion of a site) to be used 
by a covered public safety agency in responding to an emergency 
at such site (or such portion of such site).
(4) Local educational agency.--The term ``local educational 
agency'' has the meaning given such term in section 8101 of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
7801).
(5) Master plan.--The term ``master plan'' means a plan 
that results in the planning and implementation in the area 
involved of a general program of action for school shooting 
prevention and response and that includes the following:
(A) A survey of the resources and personnel of 
school safety services.
(B) An analysis of the effectiveness of the school 
safety standards and codes in such area.
(C) An analysis of short- and long-term school 
shooting prevention and response needs in such area.
(D) A plan to meet the school shooting prevention 
and response needs in such area.
(E) An estimate of cost and realistic plans for 
financing the implementation of the plan and operation 
on a continuing basis.
(F) A summary of problems that are anticipated in 
implementing such plan.
(6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of the 
Federal Clearinghouse on School Safety Evidence-based Practices 
under section 2220D of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 
U.S.C. 665k) (as amended by section 2(b)(1) of this Act).
(7) Site.--The term ``site'' means a building, campus, or 
facility of a school.
(8) State.--The term ``State'' means each State of the 
United States, the District of Columbia, and each commonwealth, 
territory, or possession of the United States.
<all>