H.R. 7435 — DHS Intelligence Transparency and Oversight Program Office and Ombuds Act

This section establishes within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the Intelligence Transparency and Oversight Program Office—headed by a senior career Ombuds with expertise in intelligence, civil rights enforcement, and addressing politicization of intelligence—to review DHS intelligence activities (i.e., collection, processing, analysis, production, or dissemination of homeland security, terrorism, or weapons of mass destruction information) for timeliness, objectivity, and independence from political considerations and to facilitate appropriate public disclosure of such activities. The Ombuds, reporting to the DHS Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis and directly to Congress on urgent concerns, must (1) advise on safeguarding objectivity and independence in DHS intelligence activities; (2) promote awareness of privacy, civil rights, civil liberties protections, and objectivity requirements among DHS intelligence components; (3) provide confidential forums to resolve concerns including civil rights abuses or politicization; (4) initiate reviews and recommendations to intelligence component heads, who must respond within 60 days; and (5) coordinate with the DHS Privacy Officer and Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. The Secretary must provide the Ombuds access to necessary information within 60 days of a request. Not later than one year after enactment and annually thereafter, the Ombuds must report activities, findings, and recommendations to the House and Senate Homeland Security, Intelligence, and Governmental Affairs committees. This section also makes a clerical amendment to the Homeland Security Act table of contents.