Description:
S. 2123 would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to publish information regarding the safety and security of faith-based organizations and houses of worship, including best practices for those entities and information on relevant federal and state grant programs. The bill would require DHS to establish and administer a website as the primary federal source for that information within nine months of enactment. The agency also would be required to designate at least one employee to assist website users and report to the Congress annually on the bill’s implementation. Using information from DHS about similar programs, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost about $2 million in 2022 and $1 million each year thereafter, for a total of $6 million over the 2022-2026 period; such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds. That estimate includes the cost of about 10 employees who would establish the site and compile information required in the bill and about five employees who would update the site annually, assist users, and report to the Congress.
