Requires the Secretary to: (1) plan, coordinate, and integrate Government activities relating to homeland security, including border security and emergency preparedness, and act as a focal point regarding natural and manmade crises and emergency planning; (2) work with State and local governments and executive agencies in protecting U.S. homeland security and support State officials through the use of regional offices; (3) provide overall planning guidance to such agencies regarding homeland security; (4) conduct exercise and training programs for department employees and establish command and control procedures for security contingencies, including those that require the substantial military support; and (5) annually develop a Federal response plan for homeland security and emergency preparedness.
Transfers to the Agency the authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Customs Service, the Border Patrol of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Critical Infrastructure Assurance Office and the Institute of Information Infrastructure Protection of the Department of Commerce, and the National Infrastructure Protection Center and the National Domestic Preparedness Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Establishes within the Department: (1) separate Directorates of Prevention, Critical Infrastructure Protection, and Emergency Preparedness and Response; and (2) an Office of Science and Technology to advise the Secretary with regard to research and development efforts and priorities for such directorates.
Requires the Secretary to establish mechanisms for the sharing of information and intelligence with U.S. and international intelligence entities.