Bill Overview
Title: Pray Safe Act
Description: This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a Federal Clearinghouse on Safety and Security Best Practices for Faith-Based Organizations and Houses of Worship. The clearinghouse shall be the primary resource of the federal government to (1) educate and publish online best practices and recommendations for safety and security for faith-based organizations and houses of worship, and (2) provide information relating to federal grant programs available to faith-based organizations and houses of worship. DHS shall develop tiers for determining evidence-based practices that demonstrate a significant effect on improving safety, security, or both for faith-based organizations and houses of worship. The clearinghouse website shall include a separate section for other resources that shall provide a centralized list of all available points of contact to seek assistance in grant applications and in carrying out the best practices and recommendations of the clearinghouse.
Sponsors: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals associated or engaged with faith-based organizations and houses of worship globally
Estimated Size: 215000000
- There are a variety of faith-based organizations and houses of worship globally comprising Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and other religions.
- According to estimates, there are approximately 2.4 billion Christians, 1.9 billion Muslims, 1 billion Hindus, among other large religious communities, which indicates a very large global population associated with various faith-based organizations.
- Many individuals, directly or indirectly, are part of or are served by these organizations, making them potential beneficiaries of increased safety and security measures.
- The estimated global population involved with faith-based organizations and places of worship is likely to exceed 4 billion individuals.
Reasoning
- The policy aims to enhance safety and security for faith-based organizations and houses of worship, which may impact approximately 215 million Americans involved with such organizations.
- Considering the diverse demographic and geographic distribution of faith-based communities in the U.S., the policy could affect people across different states and religious affiliations.
- The budget for the policy is constrained, so the impact may be uneven, with larger organizations or those in higher-risk areas potentially benefiting more.
- The clearinghouse's focus on best practices and grant information could improve wellbeing by fostering a sense of security, though the real-world application may vary.
- We have included a diverse set of people, including those likely to notice significant changes, as well as those who are less likely to be affected.
Simulated Interviews
Pastor (New York)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the policy is definitely needed given recent violence in places of worship.
- I hope the grants and resources will be easy to access for smaller churches.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Community Center Coordinator (Texas)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having centralized resources for security is a great idea, especially for coordinating across different faiths.
- I hope it doesn't favor larger organizations disproportionately.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Nonprofit Worker (California)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could increase demand for consulting work, which is a positive for my career.
- There are practical challenges in implementing these security measures across diverse faith groups.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
School Teacher (Alabama)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our church at least knows where to look for information now, but will we actually get any help?
- I worry bigger cities will get more attention and resources.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Social Worker (Illinois)
Age: 40 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved safety and security can strengthen the community bond in faith groups.
- I hope that small faith communities like ours aren't sidelined.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired Security Officer (Florida)
Age: 67 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The clearinghouse can be a vital resource for making synagogues and churches safer.
- Information accessibility will play a key role in success.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Graduate Student (Massachusetts)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's encouraging to see focus on safety. It shows the government recognizes the threat.
- As a student, I'd like to see how research can aid in forming these practices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Realtor (Ohio)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is timely given recent incidents at religious venues.
- I worry about the administrative load on already burdened volunteers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Counselor (Pennsylvania)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Secure spaces are critical for counseling and this policy could be a game-changer.
- We need clear guidelines tailored for different faiths and facilities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
IT Professional (Arizona)
Age: 53 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With more tech dependency, cybersecurity becomes crucial, and this policy might highlight those needs.
- It'll be important to offer cybersecurity education as part of these initiatives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 2: $13000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $18000000)
Year 3: $10000000 (Low: $7000000, High: $15000000)
Year 5: $8000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $12000000)
Year 10: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $8000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $8000000)
Key Considerations
- Initial technological and staffing costs for setting up the clearinghouse and maintaining the website.
- Need for broad outreach to engage diverse faith communities effectively and inclusively.
- Potential overlap and coordination with existing federal and local grant programs targeting security and safety in communities.