Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Real Emergency Access for Aging and Disability Inclusion for Disasters Act” or the “REAADI for Disasters Act”.
Real Emergency Access for Aging and Disability Inclusion for Disasters Act
A BILL
To ensure that older adults and individuals with disabilities are prepared for disasters, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Findings and sense of Congress
Findings— Congress makes the following findings:
In the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are more than 70,000,000 adults who are individuals with disabilities and, according to the Bureau of the Census, there are more than 54,000,000 adults age 65 or older.
There have been nearly 400 emergencies declared under section 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5191) related to hurricanes and tropical cyclones during the period beginning January 2000 and ending December 2024. These declared emergencies have directly resulted in at least 1,442 deaths in the United States.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates that—
the cumulative damage from weather- and climate-related disasters in 2022 cost the United States over $182,700,000,000; and
27 of the disasters in 2024 cost over $1,000,000,000 each.
Individuals with disabilities and older adults have been found to die at higher rates, compared to the general population, during disasters.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in 2024, the United States experienced a total of 108 major disaster and emergency declarations under sections 401 and 501, respectively, of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170, 5191), which resulted in more than 4,000,000 individuals applying for assistance through the Agency.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in 2022, the United States experienced 90 major disasters declared under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170) affecting more than 54,000,000 people, and more than 16,000,000 of those people were adults with disabilities.
Failure to provide accessibility for, or plan for accommodating, individuals with physical or sensory disabilities, chronic illness, or mental disabilities decreases the ability of those individuals to evacuate prior to or during a disaster.
Households of individuals with disabilities are more likely to need assistance and are less likely to be able to evacuate in advance of disasters.
Less than a third of individuals with intellectual disabilities and individuals needing personal care attendants have planned with their personal care providers what to do in a disaster.
Evacuation information, including orders, is not uniformly communicated in ways and via media that are accessible to individuals with disabilities, including being communicated in ways that lack use of American Sign Language, captions, and plain language on websites, instructional materials, and television and radio announcements.
Displaced individuals with disabilities served in general population shelters have better access to information and material resources than individuals with disabilities in specially designed shelters.
Despite the better access to information and resources provided at general population shelters, personnel in general population shelters often do not have the resources or training to address the needs of individuals with disabilities and older adults.
Public shelters often do not have disability-related accommodations, often forcing individuals with disabilities and older adults to be segregated, sometimes apart from their families and natural supports during disasters.
Households with individuals with disabilities sustain more costly property damage from disasters than households without individuals with disabilities.
Historically, disaster-related recommendations for individuals with disabilities and older adults have been typically aimed at caregivers and service providers, not individuals with disabilities and older adults themselves.
Thousands of individuals with disabilities have been denied their civil rights because they do not receive accessible notice during disasters—
of spoken instructions via phone or video; or
of instructions regarding evacuations, sheltering, and other procedures during disasters.
Disaster shelters and services do not routinely have American Sign Language interpreters nor procedures written or presented in plain language.
Individuals with disabilities and older adults are more at risk for loss of life, loss of independence, or violation of civil rights than the general population during times of disasters, response, and recovery.
Sense of Congress— It is the sense of Congress that—
individuals with disabilities and older adults should be supported during times of disasters, and during disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation, in order to—
ensure maintenance of and access to services and supports; and
enable those individuals and adults to return to their communities in a timely manner as compared with the general population;
during the recovery and mitigation phases of disaster response, all buildings and services should be designed, and constructed or reconstructed, according to principles of universal design and to the standards established by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board in order to ensure access for individuals with disabilities, older adults, and all individuals;
individuals with disabilities and older adults should have access to shelters and other services during disasters in the same locations and settings as the general population;
individuals with disabilities and older adults should receive information about preparation for, response to, recovery from, and mitigation of disasters in formats accessible to them, including in American Sign Language, Braille, and plain language, as well as captioned video messages;
individuals with disabilities and older adults must be included as key speakers, essential stakeholders, and decisionmakers in the preparation (including planning), response, recovery, and mitigation phases of disasters;
local, State (including territorial), Tribal, and Federal disaster planning must include robust representation of individuals with disabilities and older adults; and
individuals with disabilities and older adults must be included in the evaluation of governmental, VOAD, and other nongovernmental preparation (including planning), response, recovery, and mitigation of disasters.
Sec. 3 Purposes
The purposes of this Act are to—
improve the inclusion of individuals with disabilities and older adults in the preparation for, response to, recovery from, and mitigation of disasters;
ensure that individuals with disabilities and older adults with disabilities are free from discrimination on the basis of disability or age in programs and activities and are protected during, and included in, all phases of disaster preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation;
ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other disability laws during preparation for, response to, recovery from, and mitigation of disasters;
improve coordination among the communities of individuals with disabilities and older adults, including multiply marginalized BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities, government agencies, centers for independent living, VOADs, and other nongovernmental organizations, including organizations that represent and are comprised of covered individuals, in preparing (including planning) for, responding to, recovery from, and mitigation of disasters;
improve outcomes for all individuals, including individuals with disabilities and older adults, who are affected by disasters, and increase community resilience in responding to disasters;
establish dedicated Federal funding for capacity-building and rapid response to support Federal, State (including territorial), Tribal, and local entities, and public and private human services entities, to support activities to address the needs of at-risk individuals before, during, and after a disaster; and
enact into Federal law standards of care and standards for protection of civil rights, for older adults and people with disabilities, to be applied for disasters and public health emergencies.
Sec. 4 Definitions
In this Act:
Access and functional needs— The term access and functional needs, used with respect to an individual, means an individual with needs such as—
an individual with a disability;
an older adult;
an individual with limited English proficiency;
an individual with limited access to transportation that would enable the individual to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate a disaster; or
an individual with limited access to the financial resources that would enable the individual to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate a disaster.
At-risk individuals— The term at-risk individuals—
has the meaning given the term in section 2802(b)(4)(B) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh–1(b)(4)(B)); and
includes—
older individuals, individuals with disabilities, and children; and
members of families that include individuals described in clause (i) or subparagraph (A).
Civil rights— The term civil rights, used with respect to an individual, means the existing (as of the date of enactment of this Act) legal rights of an individual to be free from discrimination on the basis of disability or age in programs and activities.
Covered individual— The term covered individual means an individual with a disability, an older adult, and an individual with access and functional needs.
Department— The term Department means the Department of Health and Human Services.
Disability— The term disability has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102).
Disability inclusive emergency management experience— The term disability inclusive emergency management experience, used with respect to an individual or entity—
means an individual or entity that has—
demonstrated disability leadership experience, including working with nongovernmental entities; and
subject matter expertise in leading disability inclusive preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation initiatives that focus on meeting the civil rights of covered individuals who are affected by disasters, to be free from discrimination on the basis of disability or age in programs and activities; and
includes an individual or entity that has demonstrated favorable outcomes that measure the effective communication access, physical access, program access, health, safety, and independence of individuals affected by disasters and their communities.
Disaster— The term disaster means an emergency or major disaster (as such terms are defined under section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122)) that results in severe property damage, deaths, or multiple injuries.
Disaster services— The term disaster services means the process of responding to a disaster and providing humanitarian aid to individuals and communities who are affected by a disaster.
Disproportionately affected— The term disproportionately affected, used with respect to a group, means a group of individuals with protected status, including individuals with disabilities or older adults, who are excessively adversely affected by disaster-related harms.
Fund— The term Fund means the Disaster Human Services Emergency Fund established under section 7.
Human services— The term human services—
means programs and activities designed to aid individuals, families, and communities to prevent or remediate problems or events that destabilize lives and undermine the ability to meet basic needs in the immediate aftermath of a disaster and medium- and long-term needs after a disaster; and
includes—
preparedness training and capacity-building;
peer support;
child care;
nutritional services;
home and community-based supports and services;
personal care;
case management;
behavioral health and psychosocial support;
assistance with accessing home repair and modifications;
accessible housing;
food, home, transportation, communication, and language access;
helping prevent institutionalization or helping transition individuals to community living;
helping with evacuation; and
supporting at-risk individuals in accessing durable medical equipment or other equipment.
Indian Tribal government— The term Indian Tribal government has the meaning given the term Indian tribal government in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122).
Individuals with disabilities— The term individuals with disabilities means more than one individual with a disability.
Older adult— The term older adult has the meaning given the term ‘older individual’ in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3002).
Public health emergency— The term public health emergency means a public health emergency declared under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d).
Resident— The term resident means—
in the case of an individual receiving assistance through an Indian Tribal government or other Indian entity, a resident of an area or member of a community governed by an Indian Tribal government; and
in the case of an individual not described in subparagraph (A), a resident of a State that is not an Indian Tribal government.
Secretary— The term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
State— The term State means any of the 50 States, an Indian Tribal government, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Visitability standards— The term visitability standards means standards for Type C (Visitable) Units under the Standards for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities (ICC A117.1–2009), or any successor standards, of the American National Standards Institute.
VOAD— The term VOAD means a nongovernmental organization assisting in disaster preparation, recovery, response, or mitigation.
Sec. 5 Use of disaster response funds
Section 615 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5196d) is amended—
by striking “Funds made available” and inserting the following:
“(a) Definitions—In this section:
“(1) Access and functional needs—The term access and functional needs, used with respect to an individual, means an individual with needs such as—
“(A) an individual with a disability;
“(B) an older adult;
“(C) an individual with limited English proficiency;
“(D) an individual with limited access to transportation that would enable the individual to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate an emergency or major disaster; or
“(E) an individual with limited access to the financial resources that would enable the individual to prepare for, respond to, recover from, or mitigate an emergency or major disaster.
“(2) Center for independent living—The term center for independent living has the meaning given that term in section 702 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 796a).
“(3) Covered recipient
“(A) In general—The term covered recipient means a direct or indirect recipient of funds made available under this title for a covered use of funds.
“(B) Exclusion—The term covered recipient does not include individuals or households.
“(4) Covered use of funds—The term covered use of funds means the use of funds for the preparation for, response to, recovery from, or mitigation of hazards.
“(5) Individual with a disability
“(A) Single—The term individual with a disability means an individual with a disability, as defined in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102).
“(B) Plural—The term individuals with disabilities means more than 1 individual with a disability, as defined in subparagraph (A).
“(6) Older adult—The term older adult means an individual who is age 50 or older.
“(7) Visitability standards—The term visitability standards means standards for Type C (Visitable) Units under the Standards for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities (ICC A117.1–2009), or any successor standards, of the American National Standards Institutes.
“(b) Use of funds generally—Funds made available”
by adding at the end the following:
“(c) Advisory committees—A covered recipient shall ensure that an advisory committee that includes individuals with disabilities, older adults, and other individuals with access and functional needs shall oversee the use of funds made available under this title to the covered recipient.
“(d) Compliance with disability laws—A covered recipient shall use funds made available under this title in accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.) and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.).
“(e) Centers for independent living—A covered recipient may contract with 1 or more centers for independent living to—
“(1) prepare for hazards;
“(2) provide personal assistance services during response and recovery periods;
“(3) identify accessible emergency shelters and adapt emergency shelters to be accessible;
“(4) develop accessible media, including media using American Sign Language; and
“(5) meet other needs for individuals with disabilities, older adults, and individuals with access and functional needs.
“(f) Contractors—A nongovernmental organization that enters into a contract with a covered recipient relating to a covered use of funds shall comply with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.) and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) in providing property or services under the contract.
“(g) Communications—Communications relating to a covered use of funds by a covered recipient shall be made available in languages, including American Sign Language and other sign languages, used in the communities receiving the communications.
“(h) Accessibility—A covered recipient shall ensure each facility or service made available in connection with a covered use of funds is accessible to individuals with disabilities, older adults, and other individuals with access and functional needs, including—
“(1) notifications relating to a hazard;
“(2) evacuation notifications;
“(3) notifications relating to disaster services; and
“(4) emergency shelters.
“(i) Visitability—A covered recipient that, as part of a covered use of funds, constructs or prepares dwelling units (including sleeping units) shall ensure that the dwelling units meet visitability standards.”
Sec. 6 Training, technical assistance, and research disability and disaster centers
Purpose— The purpose of this section is to provide financial support to eligible entities to create centers through which the eligible entities will—
provide training and technical assistance to State, local, Tribal, and territorial disaster relief, public health, and social service agencies in the implementation and enhancement of systemic and effective engagement policies, programs, and activities that ensure—
that the needs and civil rights of covered individuals are addressed and implemented throughout all phases of disaster preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation; and
the inclusion of covered individuals in the development of all State, local, Tribal, and territorial disaster preparation plans;
assist Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial disaster relief agencies in the coordination and integration of Federal, State (including territorial), local, and Tribal services and programs to serve covered individuals in the least restrictive environment appropriate to their needs during a disaster;
conduct research and expand knowledge about covered individuals and their experiences during the preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation phases of disasters; and
discover, through research, and disseminate knowledge about, the most effective methods for—
protecting the civil rights of covered individuals during times of disasters;
including covered individuals in all phases of disaster preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation;
reducing their deaths, injuries and losses from disasters;
reducing the displacement and disproportionate effects of relocation after a disaster, including financial and social effects, on covered individuals; and
ensuring covered individuals are participants in the research, development, and distribution of evidence-based information regarding disasters.
Definitions— In this section:
Eligible entity— The term eligible entity means an entity or partnership of entities that—
submits an application to the Secretary in accordance with subsection (e);
is or includes an institution (which may be an institution of higher education), or a nongovernmental organization, that focuses on—
serving the needs of individuals with disabilities; or
serving the needs of older adults;
in the case of an entity or partnership with a disability focus, has a cross-disability service focus;
has experience in conducting training, technical assistance, and research pertaining to consumer-directed community support services for covered individuals;
includes covered individuals in positions of leadership in the planning, management, and operation of the programs of training, technical assistance, and research;
has knowledge and experience pertaining to the implementation and enhancement of systemic and effective engagement policies, programs, and activities that promote the inclusion, needs, and civil rights of covered individuals in preparation for, response to, recovery from, and mitigation of disasters; and
has, or will establish, an advisory council or similar entity, of which at least 51 percent of the members are covered individuals.
Institution of higher education— The term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
Stakeholder group— The term stakeholder group means a group of individuals and organizations that—
is committed to disability inclusive and older adult inclusive disaster management;
includes covered individuals throughout preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities;
has leaders that include covered individuals;
has a governing or advisory board, of which at least half of the members are covered individuals; and
has a mission to inclusively serve covered individuals.
Authority for grants— The Secretary may award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities, to provide for—
activities that include covered individuals in the preparation (including planning) for, response to, recovery from, and mitigation of disasters; and
except as described in subsection (d)(2), research related to disasters and covered individuals.
Amount and period of grants—
Amount— In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, award a grant to an eligible entity in an amount that is not less than $2,500,000 and not more than $10,000,000.
Distribution— The Secretary shall award not fewer than 2 of the grants in each of the 10 Federal regions of the Department of Health and Human Services. At least 1 grant in each region shall be awarded to an eligible entity exclusively to conduct training and technical assistance described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a).
Periods— The Secretary shall award the grants for periods of 5 years, through an open competition held at the end of each 5-year period. Eligible entities that receive grants under this section may reapply for such grants at the end of the periods.
Applications—
Submissions— To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require.
Contents— Each such application shall include, at a minimum, the following:
A description of the applicant’s demonstrated experience in providing training, information, and support to individuals with disabilities in preparing for, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating disasters.
A description of the applicant’s demonstrated experience in providing training, information, and support to older adults in preparing for, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating disasters.
A description of the applicant’s demonstrated experience in working with Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial government agencies in preparing for, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating disasters.
A description of the steps the applicant, acting through the center, will take to target services to low-income individuals and individuals identified as disproportionately affected in disasters, including those individuals at greatest risk of institutionalization.
An assurance that the applicant, acting through the center, will—
work with State, local, Tribal, and territorial disaster relief, public health, and social service agencies to determine the best means for delivery of services to address the needs of covered individuals;
assist in establishing State, local, Tribal, and territorial disaster plans to address the needs of both rural and urban populations;
in carrying out activities under the grant, conduct sufficient outreach to centers for independent living, VOADs, and other nongovernmental organizations, including organizations that represent and are comprised of covered individuals;
include covered individuals in a meaningful way in the development and execution of activities carried out under the grant;
provide adequate staff, including staff who are individuals with disabilities, to carry out the activities under the grant; and
communicate information on the programs and systems developed under the grant, in accessible formats and languages, including American Sign Language, of the communities being served.
Priority— In awarding grants for activities described in this section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that—
demonstrate a minimum of 3 years of experience in actively conducting disability inclusive and older adult inclusive disaster management;
propose activities to address the preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation needs of covered individuals;
propose activities to address leadership development in State, local, Tribal, and territorial agencies and covered individual advocacy organizations;
includes covered individuals in positions of leadership in the planning, management, and operation of the activities carried out under this section;
demonstrate ability to provide training that prevents bias due to disability or age, and that uses experiential approaches and does not rely on simulations;
demonstrate expertise concerning the obligation to prevent discrimination against covered individuals on the basis of disability and age in programs and provide activities and specific plans for achieving and maintaining physical access, program access, and effective communication for covered individuals throughout all grant activities;
demonstrate that the eligible entity involved will use measurable collaboration and partnership strategies with State, local, Tribal, and territorial agencies, centers for independent living, VOADs, and other nongovernmental organizations, including organizations that represent and are comprised of covered individuals;
demonstrate that the eligible entity will use measurable disaster outcomes strategies in carrying out grant activities;
demonstrate the ability to quickly create products, such as videos, fact sheets, guidelines, and checklists, to be used in disaster management;
employ constituents of the entity in decisionmaking positions;
provide disability inclusive and older adult inclusive disaster management leadership skills development;
demonstrate awareness of available resources in the community for meeting the preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation needs of covered individuals; and
demonstrate expertise in promoting the use of universal design (as defined in section 103 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003)), the philosophy of independent living (within the meaning of that philosophy in title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 796 et seq.)), intersectionality imperatives, and the social model of disability.
Use of funds—
In general— Grant funds made available under this section shall be used only for activities described in and approved by the Secretary as a part of an application submitted under subsection (e), to carry out—
a strategy designed to ensure the inclusion of covered individuals in the preparation (including planning) for, response to, recovery from, and mitigation of disasters; and
research to enhance the activities described in subparagraph (A), using not more than 25 percent of the grant funds to carry out that research.
Activities— Such activities may include initiatives that provide comprehensive training, technical assistance, development of funding sources, and support to State, local, Tribal, and territorial disaster relief, public health, and social service agencies and stakeholder groups, in order to ensure that, in carrying out disaster management planning and programs, the agencies and groups address the inclusion, civil rights, and needs of covered individuals by—
hiring personnel with direct knowledge of and experience with meeting the civil rights of covered individuals to be free from discrimination on the basis of disability or age in programs and activities;
training staff of State, local, Tribal, and territorial disaster relief, public health, and social service agencies on the needs and civil right of covered individuals, preferably through training by experts who are, collectively, individuals with disabilities and older adults;
creating partnerships between eligible entities, State, local, Tribal, and territorial disaster relief, public health, and social service agencies, centers for independent living, VOADs, and other nongovernmental organizations, including organizations that represent and are comprised of covered individuals;
assisting in the development and implementation, in partnership with State, local, Tribal, and territorial disaster relief, public health, and social service agencies, of plans that will provide for a continuum of services to remove barriers to full engagement for covered individuals during a disaster and in preparedness (including planning) for, response to, recovery from, and mitigation of a disaster;
assisting in the creation of standards and identification of funding sources for rebuilding disaster-damaged housing and new housing that is accessible, affordable, and disaster-resilient;
assisting in the creation of standards for homeowner and flood insurance coverage for rebuilding disaster-damaged housing and new housing that is accessible, affordable, and disaster-resilient;
establishing universal design and accessibility standards, and establishing specifications for visitability (based on the visitability standards), for achieving and maintaining equal access for covered individuals throughout hazard mitigation and disaster resilience activities;
establishing initiatives to increase new and transferred technology and innovations to solve notification, evacuation, health maintenance, and other barriers for covered individuals before, during, and after disasters; and
conducting research, in partnership with covered individuals, that will contribute to knowledge and strategies to—
decrease injuries, deaths, and harm to covered individuals;
create inclusive disaster preparedness, recovery, response, and mitigation strategies for State, local, Tribal, and territorial agencies, centers for independent living, VOADs, and other nongovernmental organizations, including organizations that represent and are comprised of covered individuals;
preserve community living options and access to needed services and supports for covered individuals during post-disaster periods; and
conduct longitudinal studies that create and maintain datasets to assist in the understanding of Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial policies designed to reduce the negative impact of disasters on covered individuals and protect the civil right of covered individuals to be free from discrimination on the basis of disability or age in programs and activities.
Standards and guidelines— The Secretary shall establish standards and guidelines for activities supported by a grant under this section. Such standards and guidelines shall be developed with the input of stakeholder groups. In a situation in which a refinement or adaptation of the standards or guidelines is made necessary by a local circumstance, the Secretary shall enter into negotiations with an eligible entity applying for such a grant for a project in the affected area, to refine or adapt the standards and guidelines for the project.
Individual rights— Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, no entity, agency, or group assisted under this section shall take any action that infringes in any manner on the civil right of covered individuals to be free from discrimination on the basis of disability or age in programs and activities.
Reports— Not later than January 31 of fiscal years 2028 and 2030, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing the activities carried out under this section during the preceding 2 fiscal years.
Authorization of appropriations— There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Sec. 7 Disaster Human Services Emergency Fund
Definitions—
Eligible entity— In this section, the term eligible entity means—
a State or local government agency;
an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization; or
a nonprofit organization, including a public or nonprofit provider of services
Major disaster— The term major disaster means a disaster that the President has declared is a major disaster or emergency under section 401 or 501, respectively, of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170, 5191).
Disasters Human Services Emergency Fund—
Establishment— There is established in the general fund of the Treasury an account, to be known as the “Disaster Human Services Emergency Fund”. The Fund shall be administered by the Secretary, in accordance with this section, to rapidly respond to the immediate human services needs resulting when—
a public health emergency or major disaster has been declared; or
the Secretary determines there is significant potential for a major disaster or public health emergency.
Availability— Amounts available in the Fund shall remain available until expended.
Uses— The Secretary may use amounts in the Fund to—
facilitate coordination between and among—
Federal, State (including territorial), Tribal, and local entities; and
public and private human services entities that the Secretary determines—
may be affected by a major disaster, public health emergency, or potential major disaster or public health emergency; and
serve at-risk individuals;
make grants or awards to, or enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with, eligible entities for projects that provide human services to at-risk individuals impacted by a major disaster or public health emergency, or prevent impacts from a potential major disaster or public health emergency, including through peer-to-peer support and person-centered case management services to address the needs of disaster survivors from preparedness and response through recovery, in accordance with subsection (c);
carry out activities of the Department that support the provision of the services described in subparagraph (B) to at-risk individuals, including—
the costs of necessary staff salaries and expenses and other administrative expenses, including information technology; and
preparation costs that are not readily attributable to a single major disaster or public health emergency; and
carry out other activities, as the Secretary determines applicable and appropriate, to address the needs of at-risk individuals during public health emergencies, major disasters, and potential public health emergencies and major disasters.
Authorization of appropriations— There is authorized to be appropriated to the Fund $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Grants, awards, contracts, and cooperative agreements—
Priority— In making grants or awards to, or entering into contracts or cooperative agreements with, eligible entities using amounts in the Fund, the Secretary shall give priority to projects that, directly or through a contractual arrangement, will—
provide accessible human services to at-risk individuals and communities to prepare for and mitigate the impacts of a potential major disaster or public health emergency;
provide accessible human services to at-risk individuals impacted by a major disaster or public health emergency; and
restore human services agency functions that were diminished or lost due to a disaster or public health emergency.
Expedited delivery— The Secretary shall plan and take such steps as are necessary to enable the Secretary to expedite the delivery of funds under this section to appropriate agencies and entities that support at-risk individuals due to a major disaster, public health emergency, or a potential major disaster or public health emergency.
Eligible activities— An eligible entity receiving a grant or award, or entering into a contract or cooperative agreement, under this subsection shall carry out 1 or more of the following activities:
Case management assistance for at-risk individuals, including—
providing disaster-related application assistance, including—
eligibility pre-screening;
assistance completing an application for disaster-related assistance;
translation services for such application; and
ensuring that applications for disaster-related assistance are accessible;
providing person-centered case management services to address the needs of disaster survivors from response through recovery; or
providing other case management services and activities approved by the Secretary that address the human and social service needs of the impacted population.
Targeted efforts to support community living options for at-risk individuals before, during, and after a disaster or emergency, including—
providing services and engaging in activities to prevent individuals from entering or relocating to institutional settings;
identifying individuals who have been relocated to acute care and institutional settings because of a major disaster or public health emergency;
providing services for individuals who were relocated to acute care and institutional settings because of a disaster or public health emergency and engaging in activities to return such individuals to a home or a community-based setting;
coordinating among emergency management services and human services providers to ensure the accessibility of emergency responses, including the establishment of accessible emergency shelters;
providing legal assistance to support at-risk individuals in their recovery from a major disaster or public health emergency;
engaging in activities that improve accessibility of disaster recovery and response efforts for at-risk individuals, including by providing accessible information and communications;
replacing, repairing, or acquiring equipment, materials, or supplies to support community living, including such items that were lost or damaged due to a disaster or emergency; or
providing other disaster relief or public health emergency services approved by the Secretary that address the human and social service needs of the population impacted by the major disaster or public health emergency.
Accessible home and community-based services and supports for at-risk individuals in connection with a major disaster, public health emergency, or potential major disaster or emergency, including—
providing accessible transportation services to support at-risk individuals before, during, and after a major disaster or public health emergency in obtaining necessary supports and services;
providing accessible and tailored nutritional services during a major disaster, public health emergency, or potential major disaster or public health emergency;
providing accessible housing before, during, and after a major disaster or public health emergency;
providing trauma-informed counseling and support before, during, and after a major disaster or public health emergency;
providing personal care before, during, and after a major disaster or public health emergency;
supporting at-risk individuals in accessing durable medical equipment or other equipment; or
other major disaster relief and public health emergency services approved by the Secretary that address the human service and social service needs of the impacted population of at-risk individuals.
Reporting—
Data collection— Each eligible entity receiving a grant, award, contract, or cooperative agreement under this subsection shall participate in data collection and reporting, as required by this subsection and other law and in the manner required by the Secretary.
External evaluation—
Reservation of funds— Each eligible entity shall reserve not less than 5 percent and not more than 10 percent of the total award amount for an independent, third‑party evaluation of the activities carried out with funds made available under this subsection.
Evaluator qualifications— An evaluation described in clause (i) shall be conducted by an individual or organization that—
is independent of the recipient entity; and
possesses demonstrated expertise in program evaluation, cost‑benefit analysis, and community‑based human services delivery.
Evaluation scope— The evaluation shall, at a minimum—
measure the program outputs and outcomes of the activities supported under the grant, award, contract, or cooperative agreement, including the ability of varying groups of at‑risk individuals to access services;
quantify the cost savings or cost avoidance attributable to such activities; and
assess the community impact of the activities and the sustainability of the activities when the grant, award, contract, or cooperative agreement ends.
Reporting to the Secretary— The recipient shall submit the final evaluation report to the Secretary not later than 90 days after the end of the project period.
Public availability— The Secretary shall make evaluation reports received under clause (iv) publicly available in an accessible format within 60 days of receipt.
Sec. 8 Disaster preparedness grants
Purposes— The purposes of the disaster preparedness grants and related technical assistance supported under this section are—
to establish authority to award capacity-building grants for accessible disaster preparedness and response efforts; and
to foster multi-sectoral approaches and partnerships across human services networks to ensure coordinated and accessible disaster preparedness and response efforts for the public, including among at-risk individuals.
Definition of eligible entity— In this section, the term eligible entity means—
a State or local government agency;
an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization; or
a nonprofit organization, including a public or nonprofit provider of services.
Disaster preparedness grants authorized— From amounts made available under this section, the Secretary may award grants or contracts to, or enter into cooperative agreements with, eligible entities in order to provide for—
activities that prepare for disasters or public health emergencies;
the development of partnerships among human service public and nonprofit organizations and public health and emergency management agencies at the State (including territorial), Tribal, and local levels;
activities that improve the ability of human service agencies and organizations to mitigate and respond to disasters and public health emergencies and support the accessible human service needs of at-risk individuals impacted by disasters and public health emergencies; and
dedicated staff or staffing salaries and expenses for State (including territorial), Tribal, or local organizations that have demonstrated expertise in the disaster and public health emergency needs of at-risk individuals, to enable such organizations to work with, and be part of, State and local emergency management efforts.
Application submissions— To be eligible to receive a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
Award basis— The Secretary shall carry out subsection (c) in a manner that distributes funds to appropriate agencies and entities that support at-risk individuals and can support disaster preparedness capacity-building initiatives.
Reservation— For each fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve not more than 3 percent of the funds made available under this section for such year for the administration of this section.
Authorization of appropriation— There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $300,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Sec. 9 Projects of national significance
Definitions— In this section:
Eligible entity— The term eligible entity means an entity or partnership of entities that—
submits an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require;
is or includes an institution (which may be an institution of higher education), or a nongovernmental organization, that focuses on—
serving the needs of individuals with disabilities; or
serving the needs of older adults;
in the case of an entity or partnership with a disability focus, has a cross-disability service focus;
has experience in conducting training, technical assistance, and research pertaining to consumer-directed community support services for covered individuals;
includes covered individuals in positions of leadership in the planning, management, and operation of the programs of training, technical assistance, and research;
has knowledge and experience pertaining to the implementation and enhancement of systemic and effective engagement policies, programs, and activities that promote the inclusion, needs, and civil right of covered individuals in preparation for, response to, recovery from, and mitigation of disasters; and
has, or will establish, an advisory council or similar entity, of which at least 51 percent of the members are covered individuals.
Institution of higher education— The term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section 6(b).
Grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements—
In general— The Secretary shall award grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, eligible entities on a competitive basis to carry out projects of national significance that—
create opportunities for individuals with disabilities and older adults to directly contribute to improving preparation for, recovery from, response to, and mitigation of disasters;
support the development of State, local, Tribal, and territorial policies that reinforce and promote the inclusion of individuals with disabilities and older adults in Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial community preparation for disasters; and
support research that—
tracks, in the short-term and long-term, the effects of disasters on individuals with disabilities and older adults;
identifies evidence-based practices that enhance inclusion of individuals with disabilities and older adults to participate in and lead preparation for disasters at Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial levels;
leads to the creation of strategies and procedures to implement community level practices that decrease deaths, injuries, and harm resulting from disasters to individuals with disabilities and older adults;
contributes to the protection of the civil right of covered individuals with disabilities and older adults to be free from discrimination on the basis of disability or age in programs and activities, and self-determination of those individuals and adults, while also promoting their safety and well-being during and following disasters;
contributes to the development of Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial policies that enhance collaboration among governmental entities, centers for independent living, VOADs, and other nongovernmental organizations, including organizations that represent and are comprised of covered individuals, to improve the inclusion of covered individuals in preparation for, response to, recovery from, and mitigation of disasters; and
contributes to other efforts, as determined by the Secretary, to advance the purposes of this section.
Amount, quantity, and duration— In awarding grants or entering into contracts or cooperative agreements under this section, the Secretary shall—
to the extent practicable, ensure that each such grant, contract, or cooperative agreement is for an amount that is not less than $2,500,000 and not more than $10,000,000;
award or enter into not less than 4 grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements; and
ensure that each such grant, contract, or cooperative agreement is for a period of not less than 3 years and not more than 5 years.
Sec. 10 Crisis standards of care and civil rights laws
Standards of care— States and local governmental entities shall develop crisis standards of care for implementation during the period of a disaster or public health emergency pursuant to the nondiscrimination requirements under—
section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794); and
section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18116).
Inclusions— In developing and implementing crisis standards of care in accordance with subsection (a), States and local governmental entities shall comply with:
The crisis standards of care described in the guidance issued by the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services entitled “Bulletin: Civil Rights, HIPAA, and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19)” and dated March 28, 2020, and any best practices developed by the Office of Civil Rights pursuant to such guidance.
The following requirements:
States and local governmental entities may not develop or implement potentially discriminatory policies that negatively affect covered individuals or children. Such policies may address the application of crisis standards of care in resource-constrained settings during disasters and public health emergencies.
During disasters and public health emergencies, civil rights may not be suspended or waived.
Crisis standards of care shall reflect that every human being has fundamental and inherent dignity, equity, and worth, and has a right to be treated equally and fairly in the provision of health care services under Federal civil rights laws.
Crisis standards of care shall be sufficiently clear to allow practitioners to apply such standards of care, especially when stewarding of scare resources means withholding or withdrawing critical care services. Such standards of care shall reflect the values, wishes, and interest of all patients, especially covered individuals and children.
States and local governmental entities shall partner with, and work to ensure strong public engagement of, community and provider stakeholders, with particular attention to the needs of covered individuals and children.
States and local governmental entities shall use ethically and clinically sound planning to secure equitable allocation of resources and fair protections for covered individuals and children.
States and local governmental entities shall develop specific response measures to meet the needs of covered individuals and children.
States and local governmental entities shall seek to eliminate the use of class, race, ethnicity, neighborhood, disability, and age in decisions relating to access of care.
Sec. 11 National Advisory Committee on Individuals with Disabilities and Disasters
Section 2811C of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh–10d) is amended—
in subsection (c)—
in paragraph (1), in the first sentence, by striking “17 members” and inserting “45 members”;
in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following:
“(N) 11 members, representing the disability community and reflecting the diverse characteristics of its members, who shall—
“(i) represent individuals with disabilities with a wide variety of disaster experiences, including cross-disability representation;
“(ii) be geographically diverse;
“(iii) be ethnically and racially diverse;
“(iv) be of diverse ages, and include older adults;
“(v) represent both genders, and include members that represent a variety of sexual orientations and gender identities;
“(vi) include veterans; and
“(vii) be linguistically diverse.
“(O) 1 representative from each of—
“(i) a coastal State emergency management agency with an employee in a position with established duties relating to integration of individuals with disabilities or to addressing access and functional needs;
“(ii) a noncoastal State emergency management agency with an employee in a position described in clause (i);
“(iii) a Tribal emergency management agency with an employee in a position described in clause (i);
“(iv) a territorial emergency management agency with an employee in a position described in clause (i);
“(v) a nongovernmental organization providing disaster preparedness and response services;
“(vi) a local urban disaster management entity, which representative has disability inclusive emergency management experience;
“(vii) a local rural disaster management entity, which representative has disability inclusive emergency management experience;
“(viii) a local disability organization with a cross-disability focus;
“(ix) a State disability organization with a cross-disability focus;
“(x) a national disability organization with a cross-disability focus;
“(xi) a national older adults organization;
“(xii) the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency;
“(xiii) a low-income housing organization, who has expertise in the civil rights of disaster-affected covered individuals; and
“(xiv) a representative of a legal services agency with expertise in the civil rights of disaster-affected covered individuals.
“(P) The Secretary of Transportation.
“(Q) The Director of Disability Policy for the Domestic Policy Council.”
by adding at the end the following:
“(3) Definitions—In this subsection, the terms access and functional needs, civil rights, covered individual, disability inclusive emergency management experience, disaster, individuals with disabilities, older adult, and State have the meanings given the terms in section 4 of the REAADI for Disasters Act.”
by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h);
by inserting after subsection (f) the following:
“(g) Authorization of appropriations—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030.”
in subsection (h), as so redesignated—
in paragraph (1), by striking “on September 30, 2025” and inserting “4 years after the date of enactment of the REAADI for Disasters Act”; and
in paragraph (2), by striking “October 1, 2022” and inserting “2 years after the date of enactment of the REAADI for Disasters Act”.
Sec. 12 Review of settlement agreements related to disasters and individuals with disabilities and older adults
Definitions— In this section:
Chief of the disability rights section— The term Chief of the Disability Rights Section means the Chief of the Disability Rights Section of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice.
Committee— The term Committee means the Disability and Disaster Preparedness Advisory Committee established under subsection (b).
Covered committee of congress— The term covered committee of Congress means—
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Committee on Education and Workforce, and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives.
Covered settlement agreement— The term covered settlement agreement means a settlement agreement—
entered into by the United States during the period beginning on January 1, 2005, and ending on the first December 31 after the date of enactment of this Act; and
that relates to a potential violation of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.) or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) in connection with the preparation for, response to, recovery from, or mitigation of a disaster.
Establishment of committee— There is established an advisory committee, to be known as the “Disability and Disaster Preparedness Advisory Committee”, to review covered settlement agreements.
Membership—
In general— Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall appoint the members of the Committee, which shall include—
employees of the Department of Justice; and
not less than 3 disability rights advocates who—
are not employees of the Federal Government;
are individuals with disabilities; and
have disability inclusive emergency management experience.
Period of appointment; vacancies—
In general— A member of the Committee shall be appointed for the life of the Committee.
Vacancies— Any vacancy in the Committee—
shall not affect the powers of the Committee; and
shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
Chairperson and vice chairperson— The members of the Committee shall elect a Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson from among the members, not less than 1 of whom shall be a member appointed under paragraph (1)(B).
Meetings—
In general— The Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairperson.
Quorum— A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may hold hearings.
Duties— The Committee shall—
conduct a review of each covered settlement agreement;
review annual reports and recommendations provided to each covered committee of Congress relating to addressing the needs of covered individuals in the preparation for, response to, recovery from, or mitigation of a disaster;
not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, submit a report containing the findings and recommendations of the Committee to—
each covered committee of Congress;
any other entity of Congress with jurisdiction over matters relating to addressing the needs of covered individuals in the preparation for, response to, recovery from, or mitigation of a disaster;
the Attorney General;
the Secretary of Education;
the Secretary of Homeland Security;
the Secretary of Health and Human Services;
the Secretary of Transportation; and
the President, through the Director of Disability Policy for the Domestic Policy Council; and
provide the comments and recommendations described in section 13(b)(2).
Powers of committee—
Hearings— The Committee may hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Committee considers advisable to carry out this section.
Information from Federal agencies—
In general— The Committee may secure directly from any Federal department or agency such information as the Committee considers necessary to carry out this section.
Furnishing information— On request of the Chairperson of the Committee, the head of the department or agency shall furnish the information to the Committee.
Disability rights section— The Chief of the Disability Rights Section shall submit to the Committee a report on the oversight of covered settlement agreements a sufficient period of time before the date specified in subsection (d)(3) to allow the Committee to review the report and include the report of the Chief of the Disability Rights Section in the report of the Committee under subsection (d)(3).
Postal services— The Committee may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
Committee personnel matters—
Compensation of members—
In general— A member of the Committee who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day (including travel time) during which the member is engaged in the performance of the duties of the Committee.
Federal members— A member of the Committee who is an officer or employee of the United States shall serve without compensation in addition to that received for service as an officer or employee of the United States.
Travel expenses— A member of the Committee shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their home or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Committee.
Staff—
In general— The Chairperson of the Committee may, without regard to the civil service laws (including regulations), appoint and terminate an executive director and such other additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the Committee to perform the duties of the Committee, except that the employment of an executive director shall be subject to confirmation by the Committee.
Compensation— The Chairperson of the Committee may fix the compensation of the executive director and other personnel without regard to chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, relating to classification of positions and General Schedule pay rates, except that the rate of pay for the executive director and other personnel may not exceed the rate payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of that title.
Detail of government employees— Any Federal Government employee may be detailed to the Committee without reimbursement, and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege.
Procurement of temporary and intermittent services— The Chairperson of the Committee may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates for individuals which do not exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of that title.
Termination of committee— The Committee shall terminate 90 days after the date on which the Committee submits the report required under subsection (d)(3).
Reports by disability rights section— On and after the date on which the Committee submits the report required under subsection (d)(3), the Chief of the Disability Rights Section shall publish an annual report on the oversight of settlement agreements relating to disaster preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation activities.
Sec. 13 GAO report on past use of disaster funds
Investigation— Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall begin to conduct an investigation of whether, on or after January 1, 2005, Federal agencies have complied with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.), in expending Federal funds to prepare for, respond to, recover from, or mitigate disasters, including whether and, if so, how such funds were used to ensure accessibility to services and supports for individuals with disabilities and older adults.
Report—
In general— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall, in accordance with paragraph (2), issue a report on the investigation conducted under subsection (a), along with recommendations for remediation of any misexpenditures identified.
Review—
In general— Prior to issuing the report under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall obtain comments and recommendations on a draft version of the report, including the recommendations described in subparagraph (B), from the National Advisory Committee on Individuals with Disabilities and Disasters established under section 2811C of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh–10d) and the Disability and Disaster Preparedness Advisory Committee established under section 12(b) (referred to in this paragraph as the “Committees”), and any other agency determined appropriate by the Secretary.
Committee recommendations on additional sources— The recommendations obtained under subparagraph (A) shall include recommendations from the Committees regarding additional sources the Comptroller General may interview for purposes of the investigation under subsection (a).