Preparedness Against Terrorism Act of 2001

Summary

Preparedness Against Terrorism Act of 2001 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to: (1) include within the definition of "major disaster" acts of terrorism or catastrophic events; (2) define a "weapon of mass destruction" for purposes of emergency preparedness provisions; and (3) provide for the administration of emergency preparedness programs by the President (currently, by the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)). Directs the President to ensure that Federal response plans and programs are adequate to respond to the consequences of terrorism directed against a U.S. target, including terrorism involving a weapon of mass destruction or cybertechnology. Requires training and exercise programs (current law authorizes training programs) for emergency preparedness officials and other persons. Establishes the Council on Domestic Terrorism Preparedness to establish Federal policies, objectives, and priorities for enhancing domestic preparedness for the consequences of terrorist attacks. Directs the Council to: (1) issue a statement regarding enhancing State and local capabilities in early identification of, preparation for, response to domestic attacks; and (2) establish certification criteria for programs under which Federal response teams assist State and local emergency response personnel in responding to such attacks and for Federal training and exercise programs for enhancing State and local emergency preparedness and response personnel capabilities. Establishes in FEMA an Office of National Preparedness to serve as the primary liaison between the Federal and State and local governments on terrorism preparedness policies and programs. Requires the Office's Executive Director to: (1) submit to the Council for approval a Domestic Terrorism Preparedness Plan, an Annual Implementation Strategy, and recommendations for resource allocations under such Strategy; (2) submit approved recommendations to the relevant Federal agencies and to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget for consideration for the annual budget submitted to the President; (3) certify emergency response, training, and exercise programs; and (4) establish a State and local advisory group for the Office to establish voluntary guidelines for State and local terrorist attack preparedness programs. Requires the Council to annually compile the results of threat and risk assessments of Federal agencies for use in ensuring the adequacy of such Plan and Strategies. Requires the Executive Director to: (1) ensure conduct of a biennial review of State and local terrorist attack preparedness programs and an analysis of the adequacy of emergency medical preparedness in the event of a major disaster; and (2) publish policies concerning financial assistance to States based on the potential risk and threat of terrorist attacks in the State, the State's capabilities to respond, and its ability to achieve the end state of preparedness.

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3 official files

• Introduced in Senate (text)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 21 September 2001

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• Introduced in Senate (PDF)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 21 September 2001

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• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 21 September 2001

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