Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Authorization Act

Bill Number

H.R. 9579

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-07-02: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Last Updated

2026-07-07T05:08:22Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose This legislation amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to strengthen the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Its primary goal is to enhance oversight, compliance, and integration of civil rights and civil liberties protections into DHS policies, programs, and activities.

Key Provisions

• Establishment and Authority: The bill formally establishes the CRCL Office, with the Officer reporting directly to the Secretary. It requires the Secretary and component heads to provide the Officer with necessary resources, advance consultation on policies affecting civil rights or liberties, and full access to materials and personnel.
• Responsibilities: The Officer must oversee compliance with constitutional, statutory, and regulatory requirements; review complaints of abuses or profiling; conduct assessments of new or existing policies; investigate complaints (subject to Inspector General coordination); coordinate with the Privacy Officer; lead equal employment opportunity programs; ensure public transparency through summaries of investigations and assessments; engage with affected communities; manage language access; and participate in hiring and reviewing component-level civil rights officers.
• Investigation and Response Processes: The Officer has authority to access information, administer oaths, and issue reports. Complaints trigger notifications to complainants within 30 days. Investigations require referral to the Inspector General, with a 7-day determination period; concurrent investigations are possible. Recommendations lead to reports, with component heads required to respond within 45 days; non-concurrence allows appeal to the Secretary for final decision within 60 days.
• Component-Level Officers: Operational components must hire or designate career civil rights and civil liberties officers who coordinate with the departmental Officer and have similar access and consultation rights.
• Reporting Requirements: Annual public summaries of recommendations and investigations (without personally identifiable information) are required. The Officer must submit a detailed annual report to Congress by June 30, covering assessments, community engagement, staffing, and equal employment opportunity activities.
• Additional Measures: The bill updates congressional reporting references, mandates a Comptroller General review within two years of enactment on community engagement provisions, and makes conforming changes to the table of contents.

Significant Changes to Existing Law The legislation replaces prior subsections in Section 705 with expanded, detailed requirements. It introduces mandatory consultation and access rules, formal investigation referral and appeal processes, requirements for component-level officers in operational units, and enhanced public reporting obligations. It also broadens the Officer's role in equal employment opportunity and language access while strengthening coordination with the Inspector General.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: DHS and its components may face increased internal reviews and policy adjustments to incorporate civil rights considerations earlier, potentially improving compliance but adding administrative steps. The Inspector General's role in complaint handling is clarified but may involve more coordination.
• On Citizens: Affected individuals and communities gain clearer complaint processes, notifications, and redress options, along with greater opportunities for input on policies that may impact them based on characteristics such as race, ethnicity, religion, or disability.
• On International Relations: No direct provisions address international matters.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• DHS leadership, including the Secretary and heads of operational and non-operational components.
• CRCL Officers at both departmental and component levels.
• DHS employees and officials subject to oversight.
• Individuals, stakeholders, and communities whose civil rights or liberties may be affected by DHS activities.
• Congressional committees with oversight jurisdiction.
• The DHS Inspector General and Privacy Officer.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill reinforces adherence to constitutional protections (such as those related to equal protection and due process) and statutory civil rights requirements by embedding them into DHS operations. It creates structured mechanisms for accountability and transparency that could reduce risks of policy challenges or litigation. Politically, it emphasizes community engagement and public reporting, which may influence how DHS balances security functions with civil liberties concerns.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9]

Cosponsors (20)

Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11]

Recent Actions

• 2026-07-02: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
• 2026-07-02: Introduced in House
• 2026-07-02: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Authorization Act — issued 2026-07-02 — PDF (17 pages)