Community Security Act

The Community Security Act (H.R. 5159) proposes a series of tax incentives and federal grants designed to strengthen local emergency response and school safety. The bill would provide tax credits to businesses that employ volunteer first responders and allow those volunteers to deduct travel and training expenses from their taxes.

For local communities, the legislation establishes grants to help police, fire, and EMS departments purchase basic equipment and upgrade communication systems to meet national preparedness standards. Additionally, the bill focuses on school safety by funding mental health services for students and training for school staff to help children cope with the aftermath of disasters. Finally, it creates research grants for universities to study homeland security and the social impacts of terrorism.