S. 2947: Pray Safe Act of 2025 (119th Congress) Bill Summary

The Pray Safe Act of 2025 aims to establish a Federal Clearinghouse on Safety and Security Best Practices for Nonprofit Organizations, Faith-based Organizations, and Houses of Worship under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Here’s a summary of the key components of the bill:

Establishment of the Clearinghouse

The bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to set up the Clearinghouse within 270 days of enactment, in consultation with various federal officials. The purpose of the Clearinghouse is to:

Provide education and publish online best practices and recommendations for safety and security.
Offer information about federal grant programs available to nonprofit organizations, including faith-based groups and houses of worship.

Content and Structure

The Clearinghouse will contain:

Evidence-Based Best Practices: The Secretary will develop a tiered structure to determine best practices that have a significant impact on improving safety and security.
Comprehensive Safety Measures: The Clearinghouse will identify areas of concern and suggest comprehensive safety measures, including planning, preparedness, and incident response strategies.
Grant Program Information: It will maintain an index of federal and state grant programs that nonprofit organizations can access for safety and security purposes.

Assistance and Training

The Secretary may create training materials to assist nonprofit organizations in implementing best practices and recommendations provided by the Clearinghouse. This includes:

Collecting feedback and data for continuous improvement of the Clearinghouse.
Updating safety practices based on research and feedback from organizations using the services.

Notification and Outreach

The Secretary is required to notify various individuals and agencies about the Clearinghouse’s establishment and updates, including state homeland security advisors and relevant federal agencies involved in safety and security initiatives.

Eligibility for Grants

The Clearinghouse will provide an overview of federal grant programs that are accessible to nonprofit organizations, ensuring they are informed about grant eligibility and application processes to enhance their safety and security measures.

Compliance with Civil Rights Laws

The Act clarifies that it does not alter any existing obligations under federal civil rights laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Civil Rights Act.

Duration and Reporting

The Clearinghouse will function for four years after the enactment of the Act unless extended or modified. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) will be tasked with reporting on federal grants aimed at ensuring the safety and security of these organizations, evaluating the effectiveness of relevant programs and resources.