This bill directs the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to issue regulations and guidance, within one year, to prevent gender‑based violence, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation after disasters. It defines key terms and requires FEMA to consult with emergency management stakeholders, sexual assault centers, domestic violence shelters, and anti‑trafficking groups. Key measures include creating a joint federal and local violence‑response headquarters after disasters, longer staff assignments, checking in with all adult household members at registration, reducing frequent relocations for people in hotels, creating a non‑adjudicatory reporting process for abuse by temporary housing providers, placing trained victim service personnel in shelters where practicable, providing multilingual information and signage at shelters, and planning for needs of high‑risk people (for example, feminine hygiene products, baby formula, and over‑the‑counter medicine). The bill also directs FEMA to determine which survivor‑related expenses are eligible for reimbursement under FEMA’s Public Assistance and Individual Assistance programs and to provide guidance and training to field staff. It amends the Stafford Act to require FEMA employees to be trained to identify, care for, and refer victims of gender‑based violence, sexual exploitation, or human trafficking, and to allow case management services to include assistance that addresses those issues. Activities under the bill are limited to disaster response, temporary sheltering, emergency protective measures, and short‑term recovery. It says the act will not require hiring permanent employees, will not preempt State or local emergency authorities, and is subject to available appropriations.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.