,,ii #aaeth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #bhfd ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,may #af1 #bjah,mrs4 ,mc,caskill 7for herself and ,ms4 ,heitkamp7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb to authorize a ,joint ,task ,force to enhance integration of the ,department of ,homeland ,security's border security operations to detect1 interdict1 disrupt1 and prevent narcotics1 such as fentanyl and other synthetic opioids1 from entering the ,united ,states1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,joint ,task ,force to ,combat ,opioid ,trafficking ,act of #bjah4 #b4 ,authorization of ,joint ,task ,force to counter opioids 7a7 ,in general ,section #gjh7;b7 of the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb 7#f ,u4,s4,c4 #cdh7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#b77;,a71 by adding at the end the following new clause3 7iv7 ,enhancing the integration of the ,department's border security operations to detect1 interdict1 disrupt1 and prevent narcotics1 such as fentanyl and other synthetic opioids1 from entering the ,united ,states4 2 7#b7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#i7 through 7#ac7 as paragraphs 7#aa7 through 7#ae71 respectively2 and 7#c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#h7 the following new paragraphs3 7#i7 ,engagement with the private sector 7,a7 ,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 ,force1 and any such engagement shall not be subject to the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app474 7,b7 ,assistance from private sector 7i7 ,in general ,notwithstanding subsection 7b77#a71 the ,secretary1 with the agreement of a private sector organization1 may arrange for the temporary assignment of employees of the organization to the ,joint ,task ,force in accordance with this paragraph4 7ii7 ,application of ethics rules ,an employee of a private sector organization assigned under clause 7i7-- 7,i7 shall be deemed to be a special government employee for purposes of ,federal law1 including chapter #aa of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 and the ,ethics in ,government ,act of #aigh 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app472 and 7,,ii7 notwithstanding section #bjb7;a7 of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 may be assigned to the ,joint ,task ,force for a period of not longer than #b years4 7,c7 ,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 paragraph4 7,d7 ,duration ,an assignment under this paragraph may1 at any time and for any reason1 be terminated by the ,secretary or the private sector organization concerned and shall be for a total period of not more than #b years4 7#aj7 ,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 7#b77;,a7 and any other ,federal1 ,state1 local1 tribal1 territorial1 or international task force established for a similar purpose may collaborate for the purpose of carrying out the mission of such ,joint ,task ,force4 4 7b7 ,technical and conforming amendment ,section #gjh7;c7 of the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb 7#f ,u4,s4,c4 #cdh7;c77 is amended by striking subsection 7b77#aj7 and inserting subsection 7b77#ab74 #c4 ,notification2 reporting 7a7 ,notification ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security shall-- 7#a7 make a determination regarding whether to establish a ,joint ,task ,force under section #gjh of the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb 7#f ,u4,s4,c4 #cdh7 to carry out the purpose specified in clause 7iv7 of subsection 7b77#b77;,a7 of such section1 as added by section #b of this ,act2 and 7#b7 submit to the ,committee on ,homeland ,security of the ,house and the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate written notification of such determination1 including1 if such determination is in the negative1 information on the basis for such negative determination4 7b7 ,reporting ,if the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security establishes a ,joint ,task ,force under section #gjh of the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb 7#f ,u4,s4,c4 #cdh7 to carry out the purpose specified in clause 7iv7 of subsection 7b77#b77;,a7 of such section1 as added by section #b of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 beginning with the first report required under subsection 7b77#f77;,f7 of such section #gjh1 include with respect to such a ,joint ,task ,force-- 7,a7 a gap analysis of funding1 personnel1 technology1 or other resources needed in order to detect1 interdict1 disrupt1 and prevent narcotics1 such as fentanyl and other synthetic opioids1 from entering the ,united ,states2 and 7,b7 a description of collaboration pursuant to subsection 7b77#aj7 of such section #gjh 7as added by section #b of this ,act7 between such a ,joint ,task ,force and any other ,federal1 ,state1 local1 tribal1 territorial1 or international task force1 including the ,united ,states ,postal ,service and the ,united ,states ,postal ,inspection ,service2 and 7#b7 in each report required under subsection 7b77#aa77;,c7 of such section #gjh1 as redesignated by section #b of this ,act1 an assessment of the activities of such a ,joint ,task ,force1 including an evaluation of whether such ,joint ,task ,force has enhanced integration of the ,department's efforts1 created any unique capabilities1 or otherwise enhanced operational effectiveness1 coordination1 or information sharing to detect1 interdict1 disrupt1 and prevent narcotics1 such as fentanyl and other synthetic opioids1 from entering the ,united ,states4