Strengthening State and Local Efforts to Counter Transnational Repression Act

This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to significantly enhance the capacity of State, local, Tribal, campus, and territorial law enforcement to combat transnational repression and associated terrorism threats. It mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a comprehensive training program through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC). This program aims to equip personnel with the necessary skills to identify and respond to these complex threats, ensuring consistency with privacy rights and civil liberties. The training program will cover crucial areas such as identifying instances of transnational repression, collecting and recording relevant information, and sharing data with private sector stakeholders like faith-based organizations and educational institutions. It also focuses on identifying potential targets or victims and providing them with personal safety best practices , including physical, situational, and online security measures. Furthermore, the bill requires community awareness briefings to inform affected individuals and communities on how to recognize and protect themselves from these threats, connecting them with vital victim support resources. Transnational repression is specifically defined as actions by a foreign government or its agents intended to coerce, harass, or threaten individuals in the United States or U.S. persons, including efforts to suppress First Amendment rights or extrajudicial killings. The legislation also directs the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate research and development efforts to improve training participation and methods for identifying instances, targets, and perpetrators of transnational repression. Finally, it mandates a Comptroller General review within two years to assess the implementation of these new provisions.