SAFE for Survivors Act of 2026

Key Points

• The bill creates a new "safe leave" benefit giving survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking up to 40 work days off per year. At least 10 of those days must be paid by the employer. Leave can be used for counseling, legal proceedings, medical care, relocation, childcare, financial services, and other safety needs.
• It makes it illegal for employers to fire, refuse to hire, or discriminate against someone because they are a survivor of violence. Employers must also provide reasonable workplace accommodations like schedule changes, desk moves, new locks, or transfers to help keep survivors safe at work.
• Insurance companies would be banned from denying coverage, canceling policies, or charging higher rates because someone is a survivor of violence. Insurers must also protect survivors' personal information, including their mailing address and phone number, from disclosure that could endanger their safety.
• Survivors who quit their job to escape violence would still qualify for unemployment benefits. States must accept documentation like sworn statements, police or court records, or notes from professionals as proof of the qualifying act of violence.
• The bill bans forced arbitration for disputes related to safe leave, employment protections, and insurance protections, ensuring survivors can take their cases to court instead of being locked into private arbitration.
• The bill authorizes $15 million per year from 2027 through 2031 for public health infrastructure supporting violence survivors, plus additional funding for public education campaigns and workplace training programs for unemployment claims reviewers.