(a) In generalNot later than December 31, 2016, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the interagency Import Safety Working Group established under section 4331 of this title, shall develop a plan (to be known as the “joint import safety rapid response plan”) that sets forth protocols and defines practices for U.S. Customs and Border Protection to use—
(b) ContentsThe joint import safety rapid response plan shall address—
(1)
the statutory and regulatory authorities and responsibilities of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other Federal agencies in responding to an incident described in subsection (a)(1);
(2)
the protocols and practices to be used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection when taking action in response to, and coordinating Federal responses to, such an incident;
(c) Updates of plan
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall review and update the joint import safety rapid response plan, as appropriate, after conducting exercises under subsection (d).
(d) Import health and safety exercises
(1) In general
The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Commissioner shall periodically engage in the exercises referred to in subsection (b)(4), in conjunction with Federal, State, and local agencies and private sector entities, as appropriate, to test and evaluate the protocols and practices identified in the joint import safety rapid response plan at United States ports of entry.
(2) Requirements for exercisesIn conducting exercises under paragraph (1), the Secretary and the Commissioner shall—
(A)
make allowance for the resources, needs, and constraints of United States ports of entry of different sizes in representative geographic locations across the United States;
(B)
base evaluations on current risk assessments of merchandise entering the United States at representative United States ports of entry located across the United States;
(C)
ensure that such exercises are conducted in a manner consistent with the National Incident Management System, the National Response Plan, the National Infrastructure Protection Plan, the National Preparedness Guidelines, the Maritime Transportation System Security Plan, and other such national initiatives of the Department of Homeland Security, as appropriate; and
(3) Requirements for testing and evaluationThe Secretary and the Commissioner shall ensure that the testing and evaluation carried out in conducting exercises under paragraph (1)—
(4) Dissemination of recommendations and best practicesThe Secretary and the Commissioner shall—
(A) share the recommendations or best practices identified under paragraph (3)(B) among the members of the interagency Import Safety Working Group established under section 4331 of this title and with, as appropriate—