§ 124i. Homeland Security Information Sharing Fellows Program
(a)
Establishment
(1)
In general
The Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, and in consultation with the Chief Human Capital Officer, shall establish a fellowship program in accordance with this section for the purpose of—
(A)
detailing State, local, and tribal law enforcement officers and intelligence analysts to the Department in accordance with subchapter
VI of chapter
33 of title
5 to participate in the work of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis in order to become familiar with—
(B)
promoting information sharing between the Department and State, local, and tribal law enforcement officers and intelligence analysts by assigning such officers and analysts to—
(i)
serve as a point of contact in the Department to assist in the representation of State, local, and tribal information requirements;
(ii)
identify information within the scope of the information sharing environment, including homeland security information, terrorism information, and weapons of mass destruction information, that is of interest to State, local, and tribal law enforcement officers, intelligence analysts, and other emergency response providers;
(iii)
assist Department analysts in preparing and disseminating products derived from information within the scope of the information sharing environment, including homeland security information, terrorism information, and weapons of mass destruction information, that are tailored to State, local, and tribal law enforcement officers and intelligence analysts and designed to prepare for and thwart acts of terrorism; and
(iv)
assist Department analysts in preparing products derived from information within the scope of the information sharing environment, including homeland security information, terrorism information, and weapons of mass destruction information, that are tailored to State, local, and tribal emergency response providers and assist in the dissemination of such products through appropriate Department channels.
(b)
Eligibility
(1)
In general
In order to be eligible for selection as an Information Sharing Fellow under the program under this section, an individual shall—
(C)
possess a valid need for access to classified information, as determined by the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis;
(E)
have undergone appropriate privacy and civil liberties training that is developed, supported, or sponsored by the Privacy Officer and the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, in consultation with the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board established under section
2000ee of title
42.
(2)
Eligible entities
In this subsection, the term “eligible entity” means—
(B)
a State or local law enforcement or other government entity that serves a major metropolitan area, suburban area, or rural area, as determined by the Secretary;
(c)
Optional participation
No State, local, or tribal law enforcement or other government entity shall be required to participate in the Homeland Security Information Sharing Fellows Program.
(d)
Procedures for nomination and selection
(1)
In general
The Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis shall establish procedures to provide for the nomination and selection of individuals to participate in the Homeland Security Information Sharing Fellows Program.