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Congress·In Committee·about 2 months ago

Congress Proposes $500 Million Plan to Protect Seniors and People with Disabilities During Disasters

Also known as: REAADI for Disasters Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Key Points

  • This bill, introduced by Congress, aims to make sure older adults and people with disabilities are not left behind during emergencies like hurricanes or floods. It requires disaster response teams to include these groups in their planning and ensures that emergency shelters and alerts are fully accessible to everyone.
  • Over 70 million adults with disabilities and 54 million seniors would benefit from better access to help. The plan focuses on providing things like American Sign Language interpreters, Braille materials, and wheelchair-accessible shelters so that everyone can stay safe and informed when a disaster strikes.
  • The proposal sets aside $500 million each year through 2030. This money would fund a new emergency response account, research centers, and grants for local governments to improve their disaster plans. It also helps pay for staff who specialize in helping people with specific health or mobility needs.
  • The bill makes it clear that civil rights cannot be ignored during a crisis. It bans hospitals and emergency workers from using age or disability to decide who gets medical care first. It also requires that any new housing built with disaster funds must be easy for people with disabilities to visit and live in.
  • To make sure the money is used correctly, the government would investigate how disaster funds were spent in the past. It also creates a national committee of experts, including people with disabilities themselves, to oversee how emergency plans are being carried out across the country.
HealthcareCivil RightsHousing

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Jan 13, 2026House

Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Jan 13, 2026

Introduced in House

Related News

2 articles
Politico·about 2 months ago

Senate Democrat files long-shot bill to help aging, disabled people during disasters

Lawmakers in the House and Senate are introducing legislation to help disabled and elderly people evacuate during disasters, following fires in Los Angeles that disproportionately killed vulnerable residents. The REAADI Act would create a national advisory committee and network of training centers.

CL=
The Hill·about 2 months ago

Bipartisan duo introduces REAADI Act to protect vulnerable populations in disasters

A bipartisan group of lawmakers reintroduced the REAADI for Disasters Act, which would provide $500 million annually to improve disaster response coordination for seniors and people with disabilities. The bill focuses on accessible shelters and communications.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

REAADI for Disasters Act

Bill NumberHR 7029
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(3)
D: 2R: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.