September 3, 2026
Mrs. McBath (for herself and Ms. Lee of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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
To direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to issue guidance and regulations relating to preventing gender-based violence, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the FEMA for Safe Recovery Act
.
Sec. 2. Definitions
In this Act:
(1) Gender-based violence
The term gender-based violence
means a crime of violence motivated by gender, as defined in section 40302(d)(1) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12361(d)(1)), or exploitation or abuse committed on the basis of gender and due, at least in part, to an animus based on the victim’s gender, and includes domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking (as such terms are defined in section 40002(a) of such Act (34 U.S.C. 12291(a))), and trafficking in persons (as defined in section 103 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102)).
(2) Trauma-informed
The term trauma-informed
means, with respect to services or training, services or training that—
(A)
use a patient-centered approach to providing services or care;
(B)
promote the dignity, strength, and empowerment of patients who have experienced trauma; and
(C)
incorporate evidence-based practices based on knowledge about the impact of trauma on patients’ lives.
Sec. 3. Regulations and guidance to prevent gender-based violence, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation
(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.).
Sec. 4. Crisis counseling assistance and training
Section 416 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5183) is amended—
(1)
by inserting and to address gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking
after backgrounds
; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following:
(c) Gender-Based violence training
The President shall ensure that all employees of the Agency shall be trained on how to identify, care for, and refer victims and survivors of gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, or human trafficking to related services.
Sec. 5. Case management services
Section 426(a) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5189d(a)) is amended by inserting and assistance to address gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, or human trafficking
after financial assistance
.
Sec. 6. Rules of construction; State flexibility
(a) In general
Nothing in this Act, or the regulations and guidance issued pursuant to this Act, shall be construed to—
(1)
require the hiring of additional permanent full-time employees or the establishment of new offices within the Agency;
(2)
preempt or supersede the authority of any State, local, Tribal, or territorial government to conduct its own emergency management systems, response operations, trainings, or resource allocation; or
(3)
limit or restrict the authority of a State, local, Tribal, or territorial government to establish or enforce standards, regulations, or laws that provide greater protection, assistance, or resources for victims of gender-based violence during a disaster or emergency response than those provided under this Act.
(b) Availability of appropriations
This Act shall be carried out subject to the availability of appropriations.