DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act
What changed between versions
A new waiver provision (subsection c) allows the Secretary of Homeland Security, after consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, to waive funding restrictions on a case-by-case basis for up to one year. The institution must maintain robust safeguards and enforcement protocols to detect and deter unauthorized access to sensitive research or data by Chinese nationals affiliated with Confucius Institutes or Chinese entities of concern. The waiver requires either that the relationship is in the national security interests of the United States or that it does not present a direct or indirect national security risk to the U.S. or its allies. Waivers can be renewed annually and take effect 30 days after issuance, with written notification to Congress required.
A new subsection (d) requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide outreach and, upon request, technical assistance to institutions of higher education relating to compliance with the Act.
The original reporting requirement in subsection (c) was a one-time report about institutions with relationships to Confucius Institutes or Chinese entities of concern that receive DHS funds. It has been replaced and expanded into subsection (e), which requires reports not later than 18 months after enactment and annually thereafter, covering implementation of all subsections (b), (c), and (d) in addition to listing affected institutions.
