Strengthening Oversight of DHS Intelligence Act
Strengthening Oversight of DHS Intelligence Act would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to tighten how the Department of Homeland Security handles intelligence information, with new emphasis on protecting privacy rights, civil rights, and civil liberties. The bill requires DHS to ensure that sharing, retention, and dissemination of intelligence information are conducted in ways that align with protections identified by the Chief Privacy Officer and the DHS Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL). It also adds training requirements for intelligence personnel on privacy laws (notably the Privacy Act of 1974) and civil rights/civil liberties considerations. The changes apply to several core DHS authorities that govern how intelligence information is shared and reviewed, creating formal accountability and oversight mechanisms within DHS. In short, the bill seeks to embed privacy and civil liberties protections more deeply into DHS intelligence activities by mandating coordination with privacy/civil liberties offices and requiring targeted training for personnel who disseminate or review intelligence information.
Key Points
- 1Adds explicit protections for privacy rights, civil rights, and civil liberties in the sharing, retention, and dissemination of DHS intelligence information, with determinations made by the Chief Privacy Officer and the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.
- 2Creates a new coordination and training requirement with the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis to ensure privacy protections are followed and to provide training on the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) and related laws for personnel who disseminate or review intelligence.
- 3Inserts a new clause into three DHS authorities (sections reflected in 6 U.S.C. 121(d), 6 U.S.C. 142, and 6 U.S.C. 345) that require ongoing coordination to protect privacy rights and to train personnel on privacy and civil liberties considerations when handling intelligence information.
- 4Focuses training on personnel who have authority to disseminate intelligence analyzed by DHS or who review information to be disseminated, strengthening accountability and knowledge of applicable laws.
- 5Elevates privacy and civil liberties considerations as a formal, DHS-wide oversight obligation tied to key governance and information-sharing processes.