H.R. 9579 — Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Authorization Act

This section establishes the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties within the Department of Homeland Security and expands the Officer’s responsibilities to include leading equal employment opportunity programs, conducting civil rights assessments before new regulations or initiatives, publicly releasing summaries of investigations and reviews, engaging stakeholders and communities on impacts, and leading language access efforts. It requires the Secretary and component heads to provide the Officer with adequate staffing and resources, consult the Officer in advance on policies affecting civil rights or civil liberties, grant full access to materials and personnel, and consider the Officer’s advice.