Research Security and Accountability in DHS Act

This bill would require the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate to create a department-wide policy to protect research and development from unauthorized access or the disclosure of sensitive information. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office would be required to report on the department's compliance with federal requirements regarding the disclosure of foreign conflicts of interest in government-funded research.

This bill primarily affects the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), specifically its Science and Technology Directorate, which must establish new research security policies. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is also affected, as it is required to audit and report on the department's compliance with federal research disclosure requirements. Additionally, entities involved in DHS-funded research and development acquisitions may be subject to new safeguards regarding sensitive information and foreign government conflicts of interest.

• Development of research security policy. The Science and Technology Directorate within the Department of Homeland Security must create a department-wide policy to protect research and development from unauthorized access or the disclosure of sensitive information during the acquisition process.
• GAO report on research disclosure compliance. The Government Accountability Office is required to report on the department's compliance with a 2021 presidential memorandum regarding mandatory disclosures for government-funded research, including potential conflicts of interest involving foreign governments.

The bill requires the Government Accountability Office to evaluate Department of Homeland Security compliance with a 2021 presidential memorandum and associated guidance regarding disclosure requirements for government-funded research and development.

The bill aims to protect Department of Homeland Security research and development from unauthorized access or disclosure by establishing department-wide security policies for acquisitions. It also seeks to ensure transparency regarding foreign government conflicts of interest through a review of the department's compliance with federal research disclosure requirements.