The House has passed HR-3505, designed to improve how DHS manages its employee security clearance process, ranging from decisions on whether to designate positions as requiring clearances to greater uniformity in how clearances are adjudicated, suspended, denied and revoked.
DHS would have to develop a plan to achieve greater uniformity regarding the adjudication of eligibility of an individual for access to classified information consistent with the Adjudicative Guidelines for Determining Access to Classified Information, and ensure that all information received for an adjudication is consistent with the guidelines and is protected against misuse. In writing the plan, DHS would have to consider setting up an internal appeals panel for final decisions on denying or revoking clearances.
The bipartisan bill also requires that the designation of the sensitivity level of national security positions be conducted in a consistent manner in all components and offices, consistent with the guidelines, and that DHS must use uniform designation tools throughout and provide training to appropriate staff.
Also, by next July and every five years afterward, DHS would have to review all sensitivity level designations, make any changes warranted, and report on positions requiring access, no longer requiring access, or requiring a different level of access. The department’s IG would regularly audit compliance.
The bill now moves to the Senate.
