FEMA for Safe Recovery Act

Key Points

• The bill directs FEMA to create new rules and training within a year of becoming law to prevent gender-based violence, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation after disasters.
• FEMA would have to check in with every adult in a household, not just whoever is listed as head of household, making it easier for people to privately report abuse.
• Disaster shelters would need trained victim service staff and signage in multiple languages pointing people to help hotlines and victim resources.
• FEMA would be encouraged to keep the same staff assigned to an area longer, aiming to build trust and reduce added stress for families recovering from disaster.
• A new reporting system would let survivors report abuse or exploitation by landlords or temporary housing providers, prioritizing quick relocation to safe housing.
• The bill explicitly avoids creating new FEMA jobs or offices and depends on future funding decisions, meaning its actual impact could be limited if money isn't set aside.