IIB
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3722
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
October 15, 2019
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
AN ACT
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize a Joint Task Force to enhance integration of the Department of Homeland Security’s border security operations to detect, interdict, disrupt, and prevent narcotics, such as fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, from entering the United States, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Joint Task Force to Combat Opioid Trafficking Act of 2019
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Authorization of Joint Task Force to counter opioids
Subsection (b) of section 708 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 348) is amended—
in paragraph (2)(A), by adding at the end the following new clause:
Enhancing the integration of the Department’s border security operations to detect, interdict, disrupt, and prevent narcotics, such as fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, from entering the United States.
;
by redesignating paragraphs (9) through (13) as paragraphs (11) through (15), respectively; and
by inserting after paragraph (8) the following new paragraphs:
Engagement with the private sector
In general
The Director of a Joint Task Force may engage with representatives from a private sector organization for the purpose of carrying out the mission of such Joint Task Force, and any such engagement shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
Assistance from private sector
In general
Notwithstanding subsection (b)(1), the Secretary, with the agreement of a private sector organization, may arrange for the temporary assignment of an employee of such organization to a Joint Task Force in accordance with this paragraph.
Agreement
The Secretary shall provide for a written agreement between the Department, the private sector organization concerned, and the employee concerned regarding the terms and conditions of the assignment of such employee under this paragraph.
No financial liability
Any agreement under this paragraph shall require the private sector organization concerned to be responsible for all costs associated with the assignment of an employee under this paragraph.
Duration
An assignment under this paragraph may, at any time and for any reason, be terminated by the Secretary or the private sector organization concerned and shall be for a total period of not more than 2 years.
Collaboration with task forces outside DHS
The Secretary may enter into a memorandum of understanding by which a Joint Task Force established under this section to carry out any purpose specified in paragraph (2)(A) and any other Federal, State, local, Tribal, territorial, or international entity or task force established for a similar purpose may collaborate for the purpose of carrying out the mission of such Joint Task Force.
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Notification; reporting
Notification
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall—
make a determination regarding whether to establish a Joint Task Force under section 708 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to carry out the purpose specified in clause (iv) of subsection (b)(2)(A) of such section, as added by section 2 of this Act; and
submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate written notification of such determination, including, if such determination is in the negative, information on the basis for such negative determination.
Reporting
If the Secretary of Homeland Security establishes a Joint Task Force under section 708 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to carry out the purpose specified in clause (iv) of subsection (b)(2)(A) of such section, as added by section 2 of this Act, the Secretary shall—
beginning with the first report required under subsection (b)(6)(F) of such section 708, include with respect to such a Joint Task Force—
a gap analysis of funding, personnel, technology, or other resources needed in order to detect, interdict, disrupt, and prevent narcotics, such as fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, from entering the United States; and
a description of collaboration pursuant to subsection (b)(10) of such section (as added by section 2 of this Act) between such a Joint Task Force and any other Federal, State, local, Tribal, territorial, or international task force, including the United States Postal Service and the United States Postal Inspection Service; and
in each review required under subsection (b)(11)(C) of section 708 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as redesignated by section 2 of this Act, an assessment of the activities of such a Joint Task Force, including an evaluation of whether such Joint Task Force has enhanced integration of the Department’s efforts, created any unique capabilities, or otherwise enhanced operational effectiveness, coordination, or information sharing to detect, interdict, disrupt, and prevent narcotics, such as fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, from entering the United States.
Passed the House of Representatives September 27, 2019.
Cheryl L. Johnson,
Clerk.