House passes bills to promote social media, interconnectedness at DHS

The House on Monday passed legislation to enhance social media and internal communications practices at the Department of Homeland Security.

One measure, H.R. 623, passed 328-51, would authorize an existing working group overseen by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide guidance on the use of social media during and after terror attacks or other emergencies.

{mosads}It further directs DHS to appoint individuals from the private sector, local law enforcement, fire services and emergency management to the working group. The group is then directed to submit a report to Congress every year by March 30 providing recommendations regarding the use of social media for emergency management purposes.

Bill sponsor Rep. Susan Brooks (R-Ind.) said the proliferation of social media use underscored the importance of DHS establishing proper practices.

“Social media is transforming the way the nation is communicating before, during and after terrorist attack, natural disasters and other emergencies,” Brooks said. 

Another bill, H.R. 615, passed 379-0, would direct the DHS under secretary for management to maintain interoperable communications among the components of the department. Those communications would include radio and information technology systems.

Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-N.J.), the measure’s sponsor, said it would help DHS respond to an inspector general report finding that relatively few personnel knew how to access the common communications channel.

“Too often communication failures are attributed to technology or lack of resources. Here, technology is not the culprit, it’s the scapegoat,” Payne said.

Both measures passed in the House last year, but didn’t receive Senate action.