FEMA for Safe Recovery Act

(a) In general. Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall issue such regulations and guidance as are necessary to prevent gender-based violence, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation after a disaster.

(b) Contents. In issuing the regulations and guidance under subsection (a), the Administrator shall—

(1) provide for the establishment of a joint Federal and local violence-fighting headquarters immediately after a natural disaster to ensure coordination between the Agency, Red Cross, State, city, and county entities, and local anti-violence specialists, including the area’s service providers and trusted community leaders;

(2) provide for plans to provide a more stable staff with longer-term assignments (to improve care, build trust, and reduce stress and traumatization) after a disaster;

(3) revise check-in practices of the Administration to include check-ins with all adult household members (to ensure men and women have equal opportunities to disclose violence and seek help, not just male heads of households);

(4) provide for strategies to reduce frequent relocations of hotel-dwelling survivors;

(5) establish protocols for non-adjudicatory reporting mechanism through which an individual may report allegations of criminal conduct, abuse, or exploitation by a landlord or temporary housing provider, which shall prioritize—

(A) facilitating the individual's prompt relocation to safe alternative temporary housing, where appropriate; and

(B) the prompt referral of such allegations to appropriate State, local, Tribal, or territorial law enforcement agencies, or specialized victim service providers, with the informed consent of the individual;

(6) develop guidance and best practices regarding the availability of trained victim service personnel, equipped to work with victims of gender-based violence, at disaster shelters, where practicable and consistent with available resources;

(7) develop model information materials and signage for disaster shelters and resource sites regarding available victim assistance resources for individuals experiencing gender-based violence, including relevant hotlines and contact information, to be made available in all appropriate languages;

(8) evaluate post-disaster processes to ensure such processes take into account the emotional well-being of recent disaster survivors, particularly such survivors with known mental health issues or who are vulnerable to additional harm, such as gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, or human trafficking, and consider the needs of survivors from different linguistic, religious, or cultural backgrounds;

(9) establish guidance for State, local, Tribal, and territorial emergency managers on how to plan for the specialized contextual needs of individuals at high risk of experiencing gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, or human trafficking during and after a disaster, including for providing feminine hygiene products, baby formula, and over-the-counter medicine and supplies; and

(10) determine which expenses related to individuals experiencing gender-based violence are currently eligible for reimbursement under the Public Assistance and Individual Assistance programs of the Agency and develop specific guidance and training for Agency field staff on which costs are eligible;

(c) Consultation. In issuing regulations and guidance under subsection (a), the Administrator shall consult with emergency management stakeholders, sexual assault centers, domestic violence shelters, and anti-trafficking organizations.

(d) Limitation. Activities carried out pursuant to this section shall be limited to activities directly related to disaster response, temporary sheltering, emergency protective measures, and short-term disaster recovery operations under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.).