Title 7 — Human Health Care and Safety.

Because of the existing possibility of the occurrence of disaster of unprecedented destructiveness resulting from enemy attack, sabotage, or other hostile action, it is the intent of Congress that plans and programs to provide necessary protection, relief, and assistance for pers…

(a) To carry out the purposes of this chapter, the Mayor of the District of Columbia is authorized to establish in the municipal government of such District a Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency to consist of a Director and such other personnel as may be needed. Suc…

The Mayor of the District of Columbia is authorized to appoint a member of the Metropolitan Police Department or a member of the Fire Department of the District of Columbia to any position in the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, with the salary provided by law f…

As used in § 7-2203, the terms “Metropolitan Police Department” and “Fire Department” shall include, respectively, offices or agencies succeeding to the functions of such departments pursuant to Reorganization Plan No. 5 of 1952.

The Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency is authorized and directed, subject to the direction and control of the Mayor of the District: (1) To prepare a comprehensive plan and program for civil defense, such plan and program to be integrated into and coordinated with…

Neither the District of Columbia nor any volunteer agency in the service of said District nor, except in cases of willful misconduct or gross negligence, any officer, agent, or employee of the District of Columbia or volunteer agency, or any regularly appointed volunteer worker, …

Appropriations for carrying out the purposes of this chapter are hereby authorized.

The Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, through the Mayor of the District of Columbia, shall submit to the Senate and House of Representatives on the 1st day of each regular session of the Congress a report of its activities and expenditures under this chapter.

(a) The Mayor of the District of Columbia is authorized to enter into and execute on behalf of the District of Columbia interstate civil defense compacts with the states, substantially in the form set forth in this subsection. The form of compact set forth in this subsection may …

The Council finds that: (1) The District of Columbia has been designated a high-threat target city by the United States Department of Homeland Security, and needs commensurate capabilities for preventing, mitigating, and responding to terrorist attacks. These capabilities include…

For the purposes of this part, the term: (a)(1) “Agency” means the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency. (2) “Director” means the Director of the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency. (3) “Program” means the Homeland Security Program created by § 7-2231.…

(a) The Director shall develop a Homeland Security Program to identify and mitigate threats, risks, and vulnerabilities within the District of Columbia. The program shall include, but not be limited to: (1) Identifying public infrastructure and other public assets in the District…

(a) The Mayor shall: (1) Disseminate homeland security information to the public and engage residents in homeland security emergency planning; (2) Solicit resident input in vulnerability assessment and planning activities; and (3) Offer periodic training opportunities to members …

(a) The Director, in consultation with other District of Columbia agencies, law enforcement, security, and terrorism experts, and representatives of public employees, shall develop and issue guidelines for a public employee security training program to meet requirements establish…

(a) In consultation with organizations representing property owners, property managers, and building operators and managers, the Director shall develop guidance for building operators and managers to enhance the security of large commercial and residential buildings. (b) In consu…

The Agency shall coordinate a regular program of readiness exercises to test the District of Columbia’s emergency preparedness, propose action to address any gap in preparedness, and coordinate with regional, federal, and private entities.

The Agency shall establish and implement an effective homeland security public warning and information capability that can be used during emergencies to warn residents timely and to disseminate emergency information to residents, both indoors and outdoors, at any time and regardl…

The Director shall request the voluntary sharing of information from private entities on best practices for prevention, mitigation, response, and recovery from a terrorist or other security incident, including information on relocation and other business continuity plans and prog…

(a) The Mayor, pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2, shall issue rules for the use of surveillance cameras and technology in the operation of its Video Interoperability for Public Safety (“VIPS”) program; provided, that the Agency shall not use cameras maintained or m…

For the purposes of this subchapter, the term: (1) “Agency” means the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency. (2) “Commission” means the Homeland Security Commission established by § 7-2271.02. (3) “Director” means the Director of the Homeland Security and Emergency Ma…

(a) There is established a District of Columbia Homeland Security Commission, which shall consist of 7 persons with expertise in security, transportation, communication, chemical safety, risk assessment, terrorism (including bioterrorism), or occupational safety and health. (b)(1…

(a) The Commission shall: (1) Gather and evaluate information on the status of homeland security in the District of Columbia; (2) Measure progress and gaps in homeland security preparedness; (3) Recommend security improvement priorities in consultation with major public and priva…

(a) Commission proceedings shall be closed to the public and shall not be subject to § 1-207.42 when the Committee is discussing specific public and private vulnerability assessments or where the information discussed would: (1) Reveal a trade secret or privileged or confidential…

(a) All information and records generated by the Commission, including statistical compilations and reports, and all information and records acquired by, and in the possession of, the Commission are confidential. (b) Except as permitted by this section, information and records of…

All records and information obtained by the Commission pursuant to this subchapter shall be destroyed by the Commission one year after publication of the Commission’s annual report.

The Commission shall report on an annual basis to the Mayor and Council on the work of the Commission and areas of the Homeland Security Program in need of improvement and shall make the annual report available to the public.