H.R. 4426 would direct all offices and subagencies of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to incorporate the needs of children in mission planning and execution, including by consulting with organizations representing the needs of children whenever practicable. The act also would require the DHS Under Secretary for the Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans to appoint a technical expert on incorporating the needs of children into activities to prepare for and respond to disasters. Finally, H.R. 4426 would require DHS to report to the Congress annually for five years on implementation of the act.
CBO expects DHS would require one additional employee to serve as a technical expert and coordinate the activities required under H.R. 4426. Based on average salaries for similar employees and the cost of similar activities, CBO estimates the agency would spend $1 million over the 2022-2026 period to implement the legislation; any such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
