H.R. 6266 — Introduced in House

I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 6266 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 7, 2023Mr. Ezell introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To amend title 40, United States Code, with respect to authority of contract security personnel of the General Services Administration Public Buildings Service, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Federal Protective Service Reform Act of 2023. 2. Federal protective service carrying and detention reform (a) Contract security personnel Section 1315 of title 40, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (h) Contract security personnel (1) Authorities for contract security personnel (A) Carrying of firearms The Secretary may authorize contract security personnel engaged in the protection of buildings and grounds that are owned, occupied, or secured by the General Services Administration Public Buildings Service to carry firearms to carry out the official duties of such personnel. (B) Detention without a warrant (i) In general A person authorized to carry a firearm under this subsection may, while in the performance of, and in connection with, official duties, detain an individual without a warrant for any offense against the United States committed in that person’s presence or for any felony cognizable under the laws of the United States if that person has reasonable grounds to believe that the individual to be detained has committed or is committing such felony. (ii) Clarification The detention authority conferred by this subparagraph is in addition to any detention authority provided under other laws. (2) Limitations The following limitations apply to the authority provided under this section: (A) Detention Contract security personnel authorized to carry firearms under this subsection may detain an individual only if the individual to be detained is within, or in direct flight from, the area of such offense. (B) Enforcement of certain laws A person granted authority to detain under this subsection may exercise such authority only to enforce laws regarding any building and grounds and all property located in or on that building and grounds that are owned, occupied, or secured by the General Services Administration Public Buildings Service. (3) Guidance The Secretary, with the approval of the Attorney General, shall issue guidelines to implement this subsection. . (b) Powers Section 1315(b) of title 40, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subparagraph (D) by inserting and at the end; (2) in subparagraph (E) by striking ; and and inserting a period; and (3) by striking subparagraph (F). (c) Training standards and designations Section 1315(b) of title 40, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (3) Minimum training standards The Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the Federal Protective Service and in accordance with guidelines issued by the Attorney General, shall establish minimum and uniform training standards for any employee designated as an officer or agent to carry out and exercise authority pursuant to this subsection. Such minimum standards shall include ongoing training certified by the Director of the Federal Protective Service. (4) Notification of designations and delegations The Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate written notification of any approved designations or delegations of any authority provided under this subsection, including the purposes and scope of such designations or delegations, not within the Federal Protective Service, including the purpose for such designations or delegations, oversight protocols established to ensure compliance with any requirements, including compliance with training requirements, and other specifics regarding such designations and delegations. . 3. Review of personnel (a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report containing a detailed accounting of existing personnel and assignments of Federal Protective Service and an evaluation of personnel needs based on current threats to and safety of public buildings and employees and visitors to such buildings. (b) Contents The report under subsection (a) shall include— (1) details on the number of law enforcement personnel and the assignments and locations of such personnel; (2) details on the number of non-law enforcement personnel and the positions and locations of such personnel; and (3) an evaluation and analysis of the personnel needs to address current security and safety risks to Federal buildings. (c) Briefing Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a briefing on current security and public safety risks to public buildings, including any increases in such risks, trends, and actions taken to improve safety for employees and visits to such buildings.