Countering Online Recruitment of Violent Extremists Act of 2016
This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require that the criteria for the designation of colleges or universities as a center for homeland security include demonstrated expertise in countering violent extremism (CVE). "CVE" is defined as proactive and relevant actions to deter efforts by extremists to radicalize, recruit, and mobilize followers to violence by providing positive countervailing alternatives to violent extremist recruitment and radicalization.
(Sec. 4) The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is authorized to: (1) establish one or more CVE labs where students will develop and test technology-based CVE solutions, and (2) reprioritize grants to centers for homeland security to fund each lab. A "technology-based CVE solution" is defined as an instrument developed by a participating student that:
(Sec. 5) An institution of higher education at which a CVE lab is established shall ensure that the lab's faculty:
(Sec. 6) The bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report on, and DHS to commission an independent third-party assessment of, the impact of each lab.
(Sec. 8) The bill sunsets seven years after enactment.