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[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1669 Introduced in House (IH)]

113th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 1669

 To require large public housing agencies to develop disaster response 
   and relief plans to guide and prepare staff and residents of such 
     agencies, the local community, and Federal, State, and local 
      governments for disasters affecting public housing projects.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 23, 2013

Ms. Velazquez (for herself, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Serrano, and Mr. Jeffries) 
 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
                           Financial Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
 To require large public housing agencies to develop disaster response 
   and relief plans to guide and prepare staff and residents of such 
     agencies, the local community, and Federal, State, and local 
      governments for disasters affecting public housing projects.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Public Housing Disaster Preparedness 
Act of 2013''.

SEC. 2. DISASTER RESPONSE AND RELIEF PLAN.

    The United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new title:

                    ``TITLE V--DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

``SEC. 501. DEFINITIONS.

    ``In this title:
            ``(1) Covered public housing agency.--The term `covered 
        public housing agency' means a public housing agency that owns, 
        operates, or assists no less than 500 dwelling units in public 
        housing projects.
            ``(2) Disaster.--The term `disaster' has the same meaning 
        given the term `major disaster' in section 102(2) of the Robert 
        T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
        U.S.C. 5122(2)) and includes any natural catastrophe (including 
        any hurricane, tornado, storm, high water, wind driven water, 
        tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, 
        mudslide, snowstorm, or drought), or, regardless of cause, any 
        fire, flood, or explosion, which in the determination of a 
        relevant State or local official causes damage of sufficient 
        severity and magnitude to warrant disaster assistance in 
        alleviating the damage, loss, hardship, or suffering caused 
        thereby.
            ``(3) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
        of Housing and Urban Development.

``SEC. 502. REQUIREMENT OF DISASTER RESPONSE AND RELIEF PLAN.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall require each covered public 
housing agency to develop a disaster response and relief plan in 
accordance with the provisions of this title to provide--
            ``(1) guidance for--
                    ``(A) public housing agencies and staff;
                    ``(B) residents of dwelling units in public 
                housing;
                    ``(C) relevant Federal, State, and local agencies 
                and officials; and
                    ``(D) community-based organizations; and
            ``(2) comprehensive information regarding pre-disaster, 
        disaster impact, and post-disaster policies, standards, 
        procedures, and protocols.
    ``(b) Submission With Annual and 5-year Plans.--A disaster response 
and relief plan developed under this title shall be included in the 
annual and 5-year plans required to be submitted under section 5A of 
this Act.
    ``(c) HUD Approval.--
            ``(1) In general.--A disaster response and relief plan 
        developed under this title shall be submitted to the Secretary 
        for approval before implementation of such plan.
            ``(2) Response.--The Secretary shall have 60 days to 
        respond to each submission made pursuant to paragraph (1).
    ``(d) Feedback.--A covered public housing agency shall seek input 
from resident or tenant associations and advocacy groups during the 
development of the disaster relief plan described in subsection (a).
    ``(e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this title prohibits a 
covered public housing agency from developing and submitting to the 
Secretary multiple plans tailored to address specific disasters.

``SEC. 503. ESTABLISHING COMMUNICATION AND SUPPORT.

    ``(a) In General.--A covered public housing agency shall include in 
the disaster response and relief plan developed under this title 
protocols for receiving, analyzing, and disseminating information 
regarding disasters before, during, and after such disaster.
    ``(b) Coordination and Dissemination of Information.--A covered 
public housing agency shall--
            ``(1) provide structure and organization within such agency 
        by establishing a clearly defined chain of command with set 
        responsibilities for each individual or group of individuals 
        involved; and
            ``(2) identify 1 or more individuals or groups of 
        individuals at each agency and each building that is owned, 
        operated, or assisted by each agency that are responsible for--
                    ``(A) coordinating disaster relief efforts; and
                    ``(B) disseminating information regarding emergency 
                protocols under the disaster response and relief plan 
                developed under this title to each resident of a 
                dwelling unit in public housing owned, operated, or 
                assisted by such agency and other stakeholder groups, 
                including community-based organizations that may 
                provide assistance to such resident following a 
                disaster.

``SEC. 504. RESIDENT PREPAREDNESS.

    ``(a) In General.--A covered public housing agency shall 
disseminate information about the emergency protocols established under 
the disaster response and relief plan developed under this title to 
each resident of a dwelling unit in public housing owned, operated, or 
assisted by such agency--
            ``(1) prior to such resident moving into their dwelling 
        unit;
            ``(2) annually; and
            ``(3) if possible, prior to an impending disaster.
    ``(b) Information.--Such information disseminated under subsection 
(a) shall include--
            ``(1) information on how to prepare for a disaster;
            ``(2) if necessary, mandatory evacuation protocols;
            ``(3) a list of covered public housing agency and resident 
        rights and responsibilities, as applicable under Federal, 
        State, and local law and regulations, and covered public 
        housing agency rules and emergency protocols before, during, 
        and after a disaster as they relate to--
                    ``(A) disaster preparedness;
                    ``(B) evacuations;
                    ``(C) disaster relief;
                    ``(D) basic human needs assistance;
                    ``(E) utility restoration;
                    ``(F) resident relocation;
                    ``(G) supportive services;
                    ``(H) payment of rent and eligible rent exemptions; 
                and
                    ``(I) assessing and repairing physical damage to 
                public housing buildings; and
            ``(4) any other items that the Secretary may require 
        through regulations prescribed pursuant to this title.
    ``(c) Method of Dissemination.--The information described under 
subsection (b)--
            ``(1) shall be disseminated by--
                    ``(A) giving notices and flyers to each resident of 
                a dwelling unit in public housing and posted in high-
                traffic areas;
                    ``(B) having an automated system to contact 
                residents;
                    ``(C) posting on the official Web site of the 
                covered public housing agency with links to the 
                appropriate Web pages regarding the impending disaster; 
                and
                    ``(D) any other means the Secretary may require 
                through regulations prescribed pursuant to this title; 
                and
            ``(2) may be disseminated by--
                    ``(A) visiting door-to-door to each dwelling unit 
                and providing such information to each resident;
                    ``(B) phone trees; and
                    ``(C) toll-free numbers for residents to call.
    ``(d) Accessibility of Information.--The information described 
under this section shall be accessible to individuals with limited 
English proficiency.
    ``(e) Inclusion of Residents.--A covered public housing agency is 
strongly encouraged to include residents of public housing owned, 
operated, or assisted by such agency in the execution of the disaster 
response and relief plan developed under this title.

``SEC. 505. IMMEDIATE DISASTER RESPONSE.

    ``A disaster response and relief plan developed under this title 
shall include detailed information on how the authorities plan to 
allocate and station staff before, during, and after a disaster. The 
plan should reflect reasonable emergency work hours and ensure staff is 
on call and prepared for a disaster.

``SEC. 506. PROTECTING SPECIAL NEEDS OF RESIDENTS.

    ``(a) List.--A covered public housing agency shall maintain a list, 
updated annually, of the members of each family residing in a dwelling 
unit in public housing owned, operated, or assisted by such agency, and 
identify the following (as such information is provided by residents):
            ``(1) The special needs of certain residents because of a 
        disability, physical or mobility impairment, or medical 
        condition.
            ``(2) The units in which residents who are elderly reside.
            ``(3) The units in which residents who have limited English 
        proficiency reside and the primary languages of such residents.
    ``(b) Dissemination of List.--The list described in subsection (a) 
shall be provided to the individual or individuals identified under 
section 503(b) and other relevant staff of the covered public housing 
agency.
    ``(c) Special Populations.--
            ``(1) In general.--A covered public housing agency shall 
        analyze the challenges of providing disaster relief assistance 
        with respect to the health and medical needs to certain 
        populations of residents of a dwelling unit in public housing 
        owned, operated, or assisted by such agency and include such 
        analysis in the disaster response and relief plan developed 
        under this title.
            ``(2) Populations.--The populations analyzed under 
        paragraph (1) include--
                    ``(A) residents of a dwelling unit in public 
                housing who--
                            ``(i) are disabled;
                            ``(ii) require life-support equipment or 
                        have other severe medical conditions;
                            ``(iii) are elderly; or
                            ``(iv) have a physical or mobility 
                        impairment; and
                    ``(B) other populations of residents identified by 
                the Secretary through regulations prescribed pursuant 
                to this title.

``SEC. 507. SAFE EVACUATION OF RESIDENTS AND STAFF.

    ``(a) In General.--A covered public housing agency shall include in 
the disaster response and relief plan developed under this title 
information on evacuating residents of a dwelling unit in public 
housing owned, operated, or assisted by, and staff of, such agency.
    ``(b) Required Information.--The information required under 
subsection (a) shall include the following:
            ``(1) Detailed protocols regarding evacuating residents and 
        staff of a covered public housing agency safely and orderly.
            ``(2) Transportation options, in addition to public 
        transportation which may be out of service or delayed, for 
        transporting residents and staff to safe locations.
            ``(3) A list of pre-approved public housing agency safe 
        locations for residents and staff.
            ``(4) A list of pre-approved public housing agency fall-
        back locations for staff to monitor a disaster safely and 
        launch response efforts following the conclusion of such a 
        disaster.
            ``(5) Options for oral and written translation services for 
        residents with limited English proficiency.
            ``(6) Any other information the Secretary may require 
        through regulations prescribed pursuant to this title.

``SEC. 508. SUPPORTING SHORT- AND LONG-TERM RELOCATION OF RESIDENTS.

    ``(a) In General.--A covered public housing agency shall include in 
the disaster response and relief plan developed under this title 
protocols for relocating residents in the event that the unit in which 
such resident resides becomes uninhabitable.
    ``(b) Required Information.--The protocols described in subsection 
(a) shall include short-term, long-term, and permanent relocation 
possibilities.

``SEC. 509. PROVIDING RELIEF TO OTHER VICTIMS.

    ``A covered public housing agency shall include in the disaster 
response and relief plan developed under this title protocols for 
temporarily renting vacant units of public housing to local victims of 
a disaster who are not residents of public housing.

``SEC. 510. PROTECTING TENANTS FROM EVICTION.

    ``(a) In General.--No covered public housing agency shall begin, 
continue, or complete an eviction of a resident of a dwelling unit in 
public housing owned, operated, or assisted by such agency during the 
moratorium period defined in subsection (c).
    ``(b) Exception.--Subsection (a) shall not apply if an eviction of 
a resident is for--
            ``(1) a drug-related or violent criminal activity;
            ``(2) a felony charge; or
            ``(3) a sex crime or any violation of Federal or State law 
        related to such resident's status as a sex offender.
    ``(c) Moratorium Period.--The term `moratorium period' means the 
time period beginning on the date that a disaster is declared by 
applicable Federal, State, or local officials and ending on the date 
that the Secretary determines that a covered public housing agency's 
disaster relief efforts have concluded.

``SEC. 511. RENTAL PAYMENT FAIRNESS.

    ``A covered public housing agency shall prorate, for each month, 
the rental amount, and, if applicable, the tenant-paid utility amount 
of a dwelling unit assisted under this Act for each family residing in 
a dwelling unit in public housing owned, assisted, or operated by such 
agency in accordance with the rent abatement policies under the 
agency's rules, the property lease executed between the resident and 
the agency, or any relevant Federal, State, or local laws or 
regulations.

``SEC. 512. ENSURING RESIDENTS RECEIVE BASIC HUMAN NEEDS AND 
              ASSISTANCE.

    ``(a) In General.--Not later than 24 hours after the conclusion of 
a disaster, in such manner as the Secretary may require, a covered 
public housing agency shall provide to each resident of a dwelling unit 
in public housing owned, operated, or assisted by such agency the 
following:
            ``(1) Contact information for Federal, State, local 
        agencies, or other local organizations that can provide 
        supportive services and disaster relief support and assistance, 
        including--
                    ``(A) potable water;
                    ``(B) food;
                    ``(C) shelter;
                    ``(D) first aid; and
                    ``(E) any other support and assistance that the 
                Secretary may identify through regulations prescribed 
                pursuant to this title.
            ``(2) Specific information about household and individual 
        assistance available from--
                    ``(A) the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
                    ``(B) any other Federal, State, and local emergency 
                relief agencies; and
                    ``(C) local organizations and public housing agency 
                partners.
            ``(3) Information regarding the personal property damage 
        claims process of a covered public housing agency, including--
                    ``(A) how to file a claim;
                    ``(B) eligibility guidelines for filing a claim;
                    ``(C) coverage of the policy; and
                    ``(D) the time period to file and process claims.
    ``(b) Creating Partnerships.--
            ``(1) In general.--A covered public housing agency shall 
        create partnerships to provide basic human needs, additional 
        supportive services, and security before, during, and after the 
        conclusion of a disaster for each resident of a dwelling unit 
        in public housing owned, assisted, or operated by such agency.
            ``(2) Potential partners.--A covered public housing agency 
        may establish partnerships with--
                    ``(A) the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
                    ``(B) State and local governments;
                    ``(C) local law enforcement;
                    ``(D) community-based organizations;
                    ``(E) resident or tenant associations;
                    ``(F) health care professionals;
                    ``(G) other individuals or organizations that 
                provide volunteer services; or
                    ``(H) any other entity that the Secretary may 
                include through regulations prescribed pursuant to this 
                title.
    ``(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed as to prohibit or restrict any entity from providing disaster 
relief to any resident of a dwelling unit in public housing.

``SEC. 513. PROTECTION AND RESTORATION OF PUBLIC HOUSING BUILDINGS.

    ``(a) In General.--The disaster response and relief plan developed 
under this title shall include protocols for inspecting, evaluating, 
and repairing damage to physical assets of a covered public housing 
agency.
    ``(b) Protocols for Protection and Restoration of Public Housing.--
Such protocols shall include the following:
            ``(1) Maintaining a list of licensed contractors to assess 
        damage to physical assets and provide short-term repair and 
        restoration efforts.
            ``(2) If possible, executing supportive services contracts 
        in advance of disasters to obtain faster response times.
            ``(3) Deploying contractors immediately following the 
        conclusion of a disaster to assess and repair immediate 
        priorities, including--
                    ``(A) restoring electric, gas, water, VAC., sewage, 
                and elevator service as soon as possible;
                    ``(B) remediating exigent health and safety 
                hazards, such as mold and mildew removal and pest 
                control; and
                    ``(C) other items as described by the Secretary 
                through regulations prescribed pursuant to this title.
            ``(4) Not later than 14 days after the conclusion of a 
        disaster, conducting follow-up inspections to determine short- 
        and long-term repair and restoration priorities.
            ``(5) Establishing short-term priorities for the repair and 
        restoration of public housing projects, including--
                    ``(A) air quality testing to address disaster 
                related health and safety hazards;
                    ``(B) continuing to maintain building systems and 
                utilities; and
                    ``(C) other items as described by the Secretary 
                through regulations prescribed pursuant to this title.
            ``(6) Establishing long-term priorities for the repair and 
        restoration of public housing projects, including--
                    ``(A) developing a revised physical capital needs 
                assessment to determine necessary repairs and 
                rehabilitation of a public housing project;
                    ``(B) rehabilitating building structures;
                    ``(C) repairing and rehabilitating superficial 
                damages to building structures and dwelling units;
                    ``(D) mitigating the impact of a disaster that may 
                occur in the future by upgrading or replacing building 
                systems or strengthening the structure of the building; 
                and
                    ``(E) other items as described by the Secretary 
                through regulations prescribed pursuant to this title.

``SEC. 514. EMERGENCY SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT.

    ``(a) In General.--The disaster response and relief plan developed 
under this title shall include a detailed list describing the condition 
and location of emergency supplies and equipment, including--
            ``(1) electrical generators and the types of public housing 
        building systems they are compatible with;
            ``(2) mobile boilers and the types of public housing 
        building systems they are compatible with;
            ``(3) heaters and fans;
            ``(4) water pumps;
            ``(5) phones, radios, cameras, and televisions (and power 
        sources, if necessary, for these items);
            ``(6) potable water, food, and emergency supply kits;
            ``(7) property vehicles;
            ``(8) backed-up critical computer files (such as contact 
        information for residents and staff, rent and income 
        calculations, and other information);
            ``(9) first aid kits; and
            ``(10) any other supplies and equipment that the Secretary 
        may describe through regulations prescribed pursuant to this 
        title.
    ``(b) Annual Review.--A covered public housing agency shall check 
annually to ensure that the supplies and equipment described in 
subsection (a), or through regulations prescribed pursuant to such 
subsection, are in working order. Such agency shall immediately replace 
or repair such supplies and equipment that are not in working order and 
update the list described in subsection (a).
    ``(c) Contracts.--A public housing agency shall enter into standby 
contracts for critical equipment, such as pumps, boilers, and 
generators, in order to expedite the restoration of necessary 
utilities.

``SEC. 515. SOURCES OF ASSISTANCE.

    ``The disaster response and relief plan developed under this title 
shall include--
            ``(1) information regarding Federal, State, and local grant 
        and loan programs and other resources related to disaster 
        relief available to a covered public housing agency;
            ``(2) how to apply for such resources; and
            ``(3) information regarding the insurance policy of the 
        covered public housing agency and how to file a claim.

``SEC. 516. PROPER IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN.

    ``The disaster response and relief plan developed under this title 
shall include, and a covered public housing agency shall have available 
on-site at each public housing project, a step-by-step checklist to 
implement such plan to be utilized by relevant staff of the agency. 
Such checklist shall emphasize disaster relief on the property level.

``SEC. 517. EMERGENCY DISASTER TRAINING.

    ``(a) In General.--The disaster response and relief plan developed 
under this title shall include training requirements such as--
            ``(1) hosting annual workshops to train employees of public 
        housing agencies on the disaster response and relief plans of 
        such agencies and the proper implementation of such plans;
            ``(2) offering no less than 3 events, such as workshops, 
        seminars (held-in person or over the Internet), or conference 
        calls, to provide information to residents on--
                    ``(A) what to do during a disaster;
                    ``(B) covered public housing agency and resident 
                rights and responsibilities during a disaster; and
                    ``(C) basic first aid and CPR training; and
            ``(3) conducting annual evacuation and emergency drills for 
        disasters at public housing projects.
    ``(b) Staff Training.--A covered public housing agency shall 
provide leadership, basic first aid, and CPR training to staff of such 
agency to prepare such staff to coordinate and assist residents of 
dwelling units in public housing owned, assisted, or operated by such 
agency and other individuals in carrying out the pre-disaster, disaster 
impact, and post-disaster polices and procedures developed pursuant to 
this title.
    ``(c) Resident Training.--A covered public housing agency may 
provide leadership, basic first aid, and CPR training to residents of 
dwelling units in public housing owned, assisted, or operated by such 
agency, in addition to training required to be provided to staff of 
such agency under subsection (b), to prepare such residents to 
coordinate and assist other residents in carrying out the pre-disaster, 
disaster impact, and post-disaster polices and procedures developed 
pursuant to this title.

``SEC. 518. IMPROVING DISASTER RELIEF OVERSIGHT.

    ``Following a disaster in which a covered public housing agency 
implemented its disaster response and relief plan developed under this 
title, the Inspector General of the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development shall evaluate such plan and, if necessary, make 
recommendations for improving such plan not later than 180 days after 
the conclusion of such disaster.''.

SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS TO HOUSING ACT.

    (a) Inclusion in 5-Year Plan.--Section 5A(a)(1) of the United 
States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437c-1(a)(1)) is amended--
            (1) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(C) if applicable, a disaster response and relief 
                plan developed in accordance with title V.'';
            (2) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and''; and
            (3) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period and 
        inserting ``; and''.
    (b) Inclusion in Annual Plan.--Section 5A(d) of the United States 
Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437c-1(d)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraph (19) as paragraph (20); and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (18) the following:
            ``(19) Disaster response and relief plan.--If, applicable, 
        a plan developed by the public housing agency in accordance 
        with title V that provides comprehensive information regarding 
        pre-disaster, disaster impact, and post-disaster policies, 
        standards, procedures, and protocols.''.

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated such sums 
as may be necessary to the Secretary to carry out this Act.
    (b) Availability.--Any sums appropriated under the authorization 
contained in this section shall remain available, without fiscal year 
limitation, until expended.

SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    A covered public housing agency (as such term is defined in the 
amendments made under section 2 of this Act) shall submit the initial 
disaster plan developed in accordance with the amendments made under 
section 2 of this Act on the date that occurs on the later of--
            (1) 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act; 
        or
            (2) the date that the annual plan under section 5A(b) of 
        the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437c-1(b)) is 
        required to be submitted to the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
        Development.
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