(iv) in subparagraph (J), by striking 
the period at the end and inserting a semi-
colon; and 
(v) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(K) the provision of assistance from the 
Housing Trust Fund as established under section 
1338 of the Federal Housing Enterprises Finan-
cial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 (12 
U.S.C. 4501); 
‘‘(L) the provision of assistance for housing 
under the Comprehensive Service Programs for 
Homeless Veterans program under subchapter II 
of chapter 20 of title 38, United States Code (38 
U.S.C. 2011 et seq.); 
‘‘(M) the provision of assistance for housing 
and facilities under the grant program for home-
less veterans with special needs under section 
2061 of title 38, United States Code; 
‘‘(N) the provision of assistance for perma-
nent housing under the program for financial as-
sistance for supportive services for very low-in-
come veteran families in permanent housing 
under section 2044 of title 38, United States 
Code; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00050
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(O) any other Federal housing programs 
providing affordable housing to low-income per-
sons by means of restricted rents or rental assist-
ance as identified by the appropriate agency.’’; 
and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) COVERED HOUSING PROVIDER.—The term 
‘covered housing provider’ refers to the individual or 
entity under a covered housing program that has re-
sponsibility for the administration or oversight of 
housing assisted under a covered housing program 
and includes public housing agencies, sponsors, own-
ers, mortgagors, managers, Continuums of Care, State 
and local governments or agencies thereof, and non-
profit or for-profit organizations or entities. 
‘‘(5) CONTINUUM
OF
CARE.—The term ‘Con-
tinuum of Care’ means an entity receiving a grant 
under subtitle C of title IV of the McKinney-Vento 
Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11381 et seq.). 
‘‘(6) INTERNAL TRANSFER.—The term ‘internal 
transfer’ means a transfer to a unit of the same cov-
ered housing provider and under the same covered 
housing program except for programs under McKin-
ney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00051
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(7) EXTERNAL TRANSFER.—The term ‘external 
transfer’ means a transfer to a unit of a different cov-
ered housing provider under any covered housing pro-
gram.’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)(3)— 
(A) in the heading, by inserting after 
‘‘CRIMINAL ACTIVITY’’ the following: ‘‘AND FAM-
ILY BREAK-UP’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (A), to read as follows: 
‘‘(A) DENIAL
OF
ASSISTANCE, TENANCY, 
AND OCCUPANCY RIGHTS PROHIBITED.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—A tenant shall not 
be denied assistance, tenancy, or occupancy 
rights to housing assisted under a covered 
housing program solely on the basis of 
criminal activity directly relating to domes-
tic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, 
or stalking that is engaged in by a member 
of the household of the tenant or any guest 
or other person under the control of the ten-
ant, if the tenant or an affiliated individual 
of the tenant is the victim or threatened vic-
tim of such domestic violence, dating vio-
lence, sexual assault, or stalking. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00052
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(ii) CRIMINAL ACTIVITY ENGAGED IN 
BY
PERPETRATOR
OF
ABUSE.—A tenant 
shall not be denied assistance, tenancy, or 
occupancy rights to housing assisted under 
a covered housing program solely on the 
basis of criminal activity, including drug- 
related criminal activity (as such term is 
defined section 3(b)(9) of the United States 
Housing 
Act 
of 
1937 
(42 
U.S.C. 
1437a(b)(9)), engaged in by the perpetrator 
of the domestic violence, dating violence, 
sexual assault, or stalking. 
‘‘(iii) REVIEW
PRIOR
TO
DENIAL
OF 
ASSISTANCE.—Prior to denying assistance, 
tenancy, or occupancy rights to housing as-
sisted under a covered housing program to 
a tenant on the basis of criminal activity of 
the tenant, including drug-related criminal 
activity, the covered housing provider must 
conduct an individualized review of the to-
tality of the circumstances regarding the 
criminal activity at issue if the tenant is a 
victim of domestic violence, dating violence, 
sexual assault, or stalking. Such review 
shall include consideration of— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00053
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(I) the nature and severity of the 
criminal activity; 
‘‘(II) the amount of time that has 
elapsed since the occurrence of the 
criminal activity; 
‘‘(III) if the tenant engaged in 
more than one instance of criminal ac-
tivity, the frequency and duration of 
the criminal activity; 
‘‘(IV) whether the criminal activ-
ity was related to a symptom of a dis-
ability, including a substance use dis-
order; 
‘‘(V) whether the victim was co-
erced by the perpetrator of domestic vi-
olence, dating violence, sexual assault, 
or stalking; 
‘‘(VI) whether the victim has 
taken affirmative steps to reduce the 
likelihood that the criminal activity 
will recur; and 
‘‘(VII) any mitigating factors. 
The covered housing program must provide 
the tenant with a written summary of its 
review and the tenant shall have the oppor-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00054
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
tunity to invoke the covered housing pro-
gram’s grievance policy to dispute the find-
ings.’’; 
(C) in subparagraph (B)— 
(i) in the heading, by striking ‘‘BIFUR-
CATION’’ and inserting ‘‘FAMILY
BREAK- 
UP’’; 
(ii) by redesignating clauses (i) and 
(ii) as clauses (ii) and (iii) respectively; 
(iii) by inserting before clause (ii) (as 
redesignated by clause (ii) of this subpara-
graph) the following: 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—If a family break- 
up results from an occurrence of domestic 
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or 
stalking, and the perpetrator no longer re-
sides in the unit and was the sole tenant el-
igible to receive assistance under a covered 
housing program, the covered housing pro-
vider shall— 
‘‘(I) provide any other tenant or 
resident the opportunity to establish 
eligibility for the covered housing pro-
gram; or 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00055
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(II) provide that tenant or resi-
dent with at least 180 days to remain 
in the unit under the same terms and 
conditions as the perpetrator and find 
new housing or establish eligibility for 
another covered housing program.’’. 
(iv) in clause (ii) (as redesignated by 
clause (ii) of this subparagraph)— 
(I) in the heading, by striking ‘‘IN 
GENERAL’’ and inserting ‘‘EVICTION’’ ; 
and 
(II) by inserting after ‘‘a public 
housing agency’’ the following: ‘‘, par-
ticipating jurisdictions, Continuums of 
Care, grantees,’’; and 
(v) by striking clause (iii) (as redesig-
nated by clause (ii) of this subparagraph); 
(D) in subparagraph (C)— 
(i) in clause (iii), by striking ‘‘or’’ at 
the end; 
(ii) in clause (iv), by striking the pe-
riod at the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00056
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(v) to limit any right, remedy, or 
procedure otherwise available under the Vio-
lence Against Women Reauthorization Act 
of 2005 (Public Law 109–162, 119 Stat. 
2960) prior to the date of enactment of the 
Violence Against Women Reauthorization 
Act of 2019.’’; and 
(E) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the 
following: 
‘‘(D) 
EARLY
TERMINATION.—A 
covered 
housing provider shall permit a tenant assisted 
under the covered housing program to terminate 
the lease at any time prior to the end date of the 
lease, without penalty, if the tenant has been a 
victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sex-
ual assault, or stalking and the tenant— 
‘‘(i) sends notice of the early lease ter-
mination to the landlord in writing prior 
to or within 3 days of vacating the premises 
unless a shorter notice period is provided 
for under State law; 
‘‘(ii)(I) reasonably believes that the 
tenant is threatened with imminent harm if 
the tenant remains within the same dwell-
ing unit subject to the lease; or 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00057
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(II) is a victim of sexual assault, the 
sexual assault occurred on the premises dur-
ing the 180-day period preceding the re-
quest for lease termination; and 
‘‘(iii) provides a form of documenta-
tion consistent with the requirements out-
lined in subsection (c)(3). 
Nothing in this subparagraph may be construed 
to preclude any automatic termination of a lease 
by operation of law.’’; 
(3) in subsection (c)(4), in the matter preceding 
subparagraph (A)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘Any information submitted 
to a public housing agency or owner or man-
ager’’ and inserting ‘‘Covered housing providers 
shall ensure any information submitted’’; and 
(B) by inserting after ‘‘owner or manager’’ 
the following: ‘‘of housing assisted under a cov-
ered housing program’’; 
(4) by amending subsection (e) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(e) EMERGENCY TRANSFERS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Tenants who are victims of 
domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or 
stalking shall be transferred to another available and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00058
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
safe dwelling unit assisted under a covered housing 
program if— 
‘‘(A) the tenant expressly requests the trans-
fer from the covered housing provider; and 
‘‘(B)(i) the tenant reasonably believes that 
the tenant is threatened with imminent harm 
from further violence if the tenant remains with-
in the same dwelling unit assisted under a cov-
ered housing program; or 
‘‘(ii) in the case of a tenant who is a victim 
of sexual assault, the sexual assault occurred on 
the premises during the 180 day period pre-
ceding the request for transfer. 
A tenant who is not in good standing retains the 
right to an emergency transfer if they meet the 
eligibility requirements in this section and the 
eligibility requirements of the program to which 
the tenant intends to transfer. 
‘‘(2) POLICIES.—Each appropriate agency shall 
adopt an emergency transfer policy to be overseen by 
the Department for Housing and Urban Development 
for use by the covered housing programs within the 
jurisdiction of a regional office of the Department. 
Such emergency transfer policies shall reflect the vari-
ations in program operation and administration by 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00059
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
covered housing program type. The policies must, at 
a minimum— 
‘‘(A) describe a process to permit tenants 
who are victims of domestic violence, dating vio-
lence, sexual assault, or stalking an internal 
transfer to another available and safe dwelling 
unit assisted under the same covered housing 
program; 
‘‘(B) describe a process to permit tenants 
who are victims of domestic violence, dating vio-
lence, sexual assault, or stalking to complete an 
emergency external transfer to another available 
and safe dwelling unit of a covered housing pro-
vider; 
‘‘(C) mandate that emergency internal and 
external transfers take priority over non-emer-
gency transfers; 
‘‘(D) mandate that emergency internal and 
external transfers take priority over existing 
waiting lists for a covered housing program; 
‘‘(E) ensure a victim of domestic violence, 
dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking is 
transferred into a comparable covered housing 
program if available; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00060
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(F) incorporate confidentiality measures to 
ensure that the appropriate regional office of the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development 
(hereinafter in this section referred to as a ‘HUD 
regional office’) and the covered housing provider 
do not disclose any information regarding a ten-
ant who is victim of domestic violence, dating vi-
olence, sexual assault, or stalking, including the 
location of a new dwelling unit to any person or 
entity without the written authorization of the 
tenant; and 
‘‘(G) mandate a uniform policy for how a 
victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sex-
ual assault, or stalking requests an emergency 
internal or external transfer. 
‘‘(3) REGIONAL OFFICES.—Each HUD regional 
office shall develop and implement an external emer-
gency transfer plan for all covered housing providers 
within the regional office’s jurisdictional reach. HUD 
regional offices shall develop and implement such 
plans in collaboration with the local Continua of 
Care and shall defer to emergency transfer priorities 
and strategies set by local Continua of Care. In addi-
tion to reflecting the policies of the appropriate agen-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00061
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
cies as defined by paragraph (2), the plan shall, at 
a minimum— 
‘‘(A) set forth policies and procedures to 
identify an emergency external transfer a com-
parable covered housing program, if available, 
within 30 days of an approved request; and 
‘‘(B) set forth policies and procedures for 
the local Continua of Care to— 
‘‘(i) coordinate emergency external 
transfers among all covered housing pro-
viders participating in the Continuum of 
Care; 
‘‘(ii) coordinate emergency transfers 
with Continua of Care in other jurisdictions 
in cases where the victim requests an out- 
of-jurisdiction transfer; and 
‘‘(iii) ensure a victim is not required 
to be reassessed through the local Con-
tinuum of Care intake process when seeking 
an emergency transfer placement. 
‘‘(4) COVERED HOUSING PROVIDERS.—Each cov-
ered housing provider shall— 
‘‘(A) provide a victim of domestic violence, 
dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking resid-
ing in a dwelling unit assisted under a covered 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00062
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
housing program an internal transfer to another 
safe dwelling unit assisted under the same cov-
ered housing program, if available, not later 
than 10 days after an approved request for an 
emergency transfer; 
‘‘(B) if an internal transfer described under 
subparagraph (A) is unavailable or if the victim 
of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual as-
sault, or stalking determines that a dwelling unit 
provided by an internal transfer described under 
subparagraph (A), contact the regional office of 
the appropriate agency within 10 days of an ap-
proved request for an emergency transfer for an 
external emergency transfer under paragraph 
(3); and 
‘‘(C) allow a victim of domestic violence, 
dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to 
temporarily relocate, and maintain eligibility 
for the covered housing program without the loss 
of their housing status, to housing not eligible for 
assistance under a covered housing program or 
to housing assisted under another covered hous-
ing program if there are no alternative com-
parable housing program units available until a 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00063
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
safe internal or external housing unit under the 
covered housing program is available.’’; 
(5) in subsection (f), by adding at the end the 
following: ‘‘The Secretary shall establish these policies 
and procedures within 60 days after passage of the 
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 
2019.’’; 
(6) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection 
(j); and 
(7) by inserting after subsection (f) the following: 
‘‘(g) EMERGENCY TRANSFER VOUCHERS.—Provision 
of emergency transfer vouchers to victims of domestic vio-
lence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking under sub-
section (e), shall be considered an eligible use of any fund-
ing for tenant protection voucher assistance available under 
section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 
U.S.C. 1437f(o)). 
‘‘(h) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to carry out emergency 
transfers under this section, $20,000,000 under section 8(o) 
of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 
1437f(o)) for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024. 
‘‘(i) IMPLEMENTATION.— 
‘‘(1) TRAINING FOR STAFF OF COVERED HOUSING 
PROGRAMS.—The Secretary of Housing and Urban 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00064
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
Development, in partnership with domestic violence 
experts, shall develop mandatory training for staff of 
covered housing providers to provide a basic under-
standing of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual 
assault, and stalking, and to facilitate implementa-
tion of this section. All staff of covered housing pro-
viders shall attend the basic understanding training 
once annually; and all staff and managers engaged in 
tenant services shall attend both the basic under-
standing training and the implementation training 
once annually. 
‘‘(2) REFERRALS.—The appropriate agency with 
respect to each covered housing program shall supply 
all appropriate staff of the covered housing providers 
with a referral listing of public contact information 
for all domestic violence, dating violence, sexual as-
sault, and stalking service providers offering services 
in its coverage area. 
‘‘(3) IMPLEMENTATION.—The appropriate agen-
cy with respect to each covered housing program shall 
implement this section, as this section applies to the 
covered housing program.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00065
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
SEC. 602. ENSURING COMPLIANCE AND IMPLEMENTATION; 
PROHIBITING 
RETALIATION 
AGAINST 
VIC-
TIMS. 
Chapter 2 of subtitle N of title IV of the Violence 
Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12491 et seq.) is 
amended by inserting after section 41411 the following: 
‘‘SEC. 41412. COMPLIANCE REVIEWS. 
‘‘(a) ANNUAL COMPLIANCE REVIEWS.—Each appro-
priate agency administering a covered housing program 
shall establish a process by which to review compliance with 
the requirements of this subtitle, on an annual basis, of the 
covered housing providers administered by that agency. 
Such a review shall examine the following topics: 
‘‘(1) Covered housing provider compliance with 
requirements prohibiting the denial of assistance, ten-
ancy, or occupancy rights on the basis of domestic vi-
olence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. 
‘‘(2) Covered housing provider compliance with 
confidentiality 
provisions 
set 
forth 
in 
section 
41411(c)(4). 
‘‘(3) Covered housing provider compliance with 
the notification requirements set forth in section 
41411(d)(2). 
‘‘(4) Covered housing provider compliance with 
accepting documentation set forth in section 41411(c). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00066
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(5) Covered housing provider compliance with 
emergency transfer requirements set forth in section 
41411(e). 
‘‘(6) Covered housing provider compliance with 
the prohibition on retaliation set forth in section 
41414. 
‘‘(b) REGULATIONS.—Each appropriate agency shall 
issue regulations to implement subsection (a) not later than 
one year after the effective date of the Violence Against 
Women Reauthorization Act of 2019. These regulations 
shall— 
‘‘(1) define standards of compliance for covered 
housing providers; 
‘‘(2) include detailed reporting requirements, in-
cluding the number of emergency transfers requested 
and granted, as well as the length of time needed to 
process emergency transfers, disaggregated by external 
and internal transfers; and 
‘‘(3) include standards for corrective action 
plans where a covered housing provider has failed to 
meet compliance standards. 
‘‘(c) PUBLIC DISCLOSURE.—Each appropriate agency 
shall ensure that an agency-level assessment of the informa-
tion collected during the compliance review process com-
pleted pursuant to this subsection is made publicly avail-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00067
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
able. This agency-level assessment shall include an evalua-
tion of each topic identified in subsection (a). 
‘‘(d) RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion shall be construed— 
‘‘(1) to limit any claim filed or other proceeding 
commenced, by the date of enactment of the Violence 
Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019, with re-
gard to any right, remedy, or procedure otherwise 
available under the Violence Against Women Reau-
thorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109–162, 119 
Stat. 2960), as in effect on the day prior to such date 
of enactment; or 
‘‘(2) to supersede any provision of any Federal, 
State, or local law that provides greater protection 
than this subsection for victims of domestic violence, 
dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. 
‘‘SEC. 41413. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DE-
VELOPMENT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN DI-
RECTOR. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There shall be, within the Of-
fice of the Secretary of the Department of Housing and 
Urban Development, a Violence Against Women Director 
(in this section referred to as the ‘Director’). 
‘‘(b) DUTIES.—The Director shall— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00068
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(1) support implementation of the provisions of 
this subtitle; 
‘‘(2) coordinate development of Federal regula-
tions, policy, protocols, and guidelines on matters re-
lating to the implementation of this subtitle, at each 
agency administering a covered housing program; 
‘‘(3) advise and coordinate with designated offi-
cials within the United States Interagency Council on 
Homelessness, the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, the Department of the Treasury, the De-
partment of Agriculture, the Department of Health 
and Human Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, 
and the Department of Justice concerning legislation, 
implementation, and other issues relating to or affect-
ing the housing provisions under this subtitle; 
‘‘(4) provide technical assistance, coordination, 
and support to each appropriate agency regarding 
advancing housing protections and access to housing 
for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sex-
ual assault, and stalking, including compliance with 
this subtitle; 
‘‘(5) ensure that adequate technical assistance is 
made available to covered housing providers regard-
ing implementation of this subtitle, as well as other 
issues related to advancing housing protections for 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00069
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual 
assault, and stalking, including compliance with this 
subtitle; 
‘‘(6) act as a liaison with the judicial branches 
of Federal, State, and local governments on matters 
relating to the housing needs of victims of domestic 
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; 
‘‘(7) implement a quality control system and a 
corrective action plan system for those covered hous-
ing providers that fail to comply with this subtitle, 
wherein— 
‘‘(A) such corrective action plans shall be 
developed in partnership with national, State, or 
local programs focused on child or adult victims 
of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual as-
sault, or stalking; and 
‘‘(B) such corrective action plans shall in-
clude provisions requiring covered housing pro-
viders to review and develop appropriate notices, 
procedures, and staff training to improve com-
pliance with this subtitle, in partnership with 
national, state, or local programs focused on 
child or adult victims; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00070
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(8) establish a formal reporting process to re-
ceive individual complaints concerning noncompli-
ance with this subtitle; 
‘‘(9) coordinate the development of interagency 
guidelines to ensure that information concerning 
available dwelling units is forwarded to the Director 
by all covered housing providers for use by the Sec-
retary in facilitating the emergency transfer process; 
‘‘(10) coordinate with HUD regional offices and 
officials at each appropriate agency the development 
of Federal regulations, policy, protocols, and guide-
lines regarding uniform timeframes for the comple-
tion of emergency transfers; and 
‘‘(11) ensure that the guidance and notices to 
victims are distributed in commonly encountered lan-
guages. 
‘‘(c) EMERGENCY TRANSFER DATABASE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall maintain 
a database of information about dwelling units that 
are available for occupancy or that will be available 
for occupancy for tenants who are transferred under 
section 41411(e) and establish the format for its use. 
The emergency transfer database may be a new sys-
tem or a modification of an existing database. The 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00071
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
database shall incorporate information from all cov-
ered housing providers. 
‘‘(2) REPORTING
REQUIREMENTS.—Not later 
than 3 business days after a covered housing provider 
becomes aware of an available dwelling or a dwelling 
that will imminently become available, the covered 
housing provider shall report information about that 
dwelling to the Director, including the following: 
‘‘(A) Project name, if applicable. 
‘‘(B) Dwelling address. 
‘‘(C) Date of availability. 
‘‘(D) Number of bedrooms. 
‘‘(E) Restrictions on eligibility of potential 
tenants under the covered housing program for 
that dwelling. 
‘‘(F) Accessibility, including whether the 
dwelling is accessible by elevator. 
‘‘(G) Smoking policy. 
‘‘(H) Pet policy. 
‘‘(I) Monthly rent and estimated utilities. 
‘‘(J) Eligibility of the dwelling for assist-
ance under other covered housing programs. 
‘‘(K) Property manager contact informa-
tion. 
‘‘(L) Legal owner. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00072
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(3) DATA ACCESS.—The Director shall have ac-
cess to all information in the database and shall regu-
larly monitor its usage. The Director shall determine 
how covered housing providers shall have access to the 
database, and establish policies for the coordination of 
emergency transfers across jurisdictions. 
‘‘(d) RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion shall be construed— 
‘‘(1) to limit any claim filed or other proceeding 
commenced, by the date of enactment of the Violence 
Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019, with re-
gard to any right, remedy, or procedure otherwise 
available under the Violence Against Women Reau-
thorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109–162, 119 
Stat. 2960), as in effect on the day prior to such date 
of enactment; or 
‘‘(2) to supersede any provision of any Federal, 
State, or local law that provides greater protection 
than this subsection for victims of domestic violence, 
dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. 
‘‘SEC. 41414. PROHIBITION ON RETALIATION. 
‘‘(a) NONDISCRIMINATION REQUIREMENT.—No covered 
housing provider shall discriminate against any person be-
cause that person has opposed any act or practice made 
unlawful by this subtitle, or because that individual testi-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00073
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
fied, assisted, or participated in any matter related to this 
subtitle. 
‘‘(b) PROHIBITION ON COERCION.—No covered housing 
provider shall coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with, 
or retaliate against, any person in the exercise or enjoyment 
of, or on account of the person having exercised or enjoyed, 
or on account of the person having aided or encouraged any 
other individual in the exercise or enjoyment of, any rights 
or protections under this subtitle, including— 
‘‘(1) intimidating or threatening any person be-
cause that person is assisting or encouraging an indi-
vidual entitled to claim the rights or protections 
under this subtitle; and 
‘‘(2) retaliating against any person because that 
person has participated in any investigation or ac-
tion to enforce this subtitle. 
‘‘(c) ENFORCEMENT
AUTHORITY
OF
THE
SEC-
RETARY.—The authority of the Secretary of Housing and 
Urban Development and the Office for Fair Housing and 
Equal Opportunity to enforce this section shall be the same 
as the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3610 et seq.).’’. 
SEC. 603. PROTECTING THE RIGHT TO REPORT CRIME 
FROM ONE’S HOME. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 2 of subtitle N of title IV 
of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00074
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
12491 et seq.), as amended by this Act, is further amended 
by inserting after section 41414 the following: 
‘‘SEC. 41415. RIGHT TO REPORT CRIME AND EMERGENCIES 
FROM ONE’S HOME. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Landlords, homeowners, residents, 
occupants, and guests of, and applicants for, housing as-
sisted under a covered housing program shall have the right 
to seek law enforcement or emergency assistance on their 
own behalf or on behalf of another person in need of assist-
ance, and shall not be penalized based on their requests for 
assistance or based on criminal activity of which they are 
a victim or otherwise not at fault under statutes, ordi-
nances, regulations, or policies adopted or enforced by cov-
ered governmental entities as defined in subsection (d). Pen-
alties that are prohibited include— 
‘‘(1) actual or threatened assessment of penalties, 
fees, or fines; 
‘‘(2) actual or threatened eviction; 
‘‘(3) actual or threatened refusal to rent or renew 
tenancy; 
‘‘(4) actual or threatened refusal to issue an oc-
cupancy permit or landlord permit; and 
‘‘(5) actual or threatened closure of the property, 
or designation of the property as a nuisance or a 
similarly negative designation. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00075
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(b) REPORTING.—Consistent with the process pro-
vided for in section 104(b) of the Housing and Community 
Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5304(b)), covered gov-
ernmental entities shall— 
‘‘(1) report any of their laws or policies, or, as 
applicable, the laws or policies adopted by sub-
grantees, that impose penalties on landlords, home-
owners, residents, occupants, guests, or housing appli-
cants based on requests for law enforcement or emer-
gency assistance or based on criminal activity that 
occurred at a property; and 
‘‘(2) certify that they are in compliance with the 
protections under this subtitle or describe the steps 
they will take within 180 days to come into compli-
ance, or to ensure compliance among subgrantees. 
‘‘(c) OVERSIGHT.—Oversight and accountability mech-
anisms provided for under title VIII of the Civil Rights Act 
of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) shall be available to address 
violations of this section. 
‘‘(d) DEFINITION.—For purposes of this section, ‘cov-
ered governmental entity’ shall mean any municipal, coun-
ty, or state government that receives funding pursuant to 
section 106 of the Housing and Community Development 
Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5306). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00076
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(e) SUBGRANTEES.—For those covered governmental 
entities that distribute funds to subgrantees, compliance 
with subsection (b)(1) includes inquiring about the existence 
of laws and policies adopted by subgrantees that impose 
penalties on landlords, homeowners, residents, occupants, 
guests, or housing applicants based on requests for law en-
forcement or emergency assistance or based on criminal ac-
tivity that occurred at a property.’’. 
(b) SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE, ALTERNATIVE CRIME 
REDUCTION METHODS.— 
(1) ADDITIONAL AUTHORIZED USE OF BYRNE- 
JAG FUNDS.—Section 501(a)(1) of subpart 1 of part 
E of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe 
Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10152(a)(1)) is 
amended by adding after subparagraph (H) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(I) Programs for the development and im-
plementation of alternative methods of reducing 
crime in communities, to supplant punitive pro-
grams or policies. For purposes of this subpara-
graph, a punitive program or policy is a pro-
gram or policy that (i) imposes a penalty on a 
victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sex-
ual assault, or stalking, on the basis of a request 
by the victim for law enforcement or emergency 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00077
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
assistance; or (ii) imposes a penalty on such a 
victim because of criminal activity at the prop-
erty in which the victim resides.’’. 
(2) ADDITIONAL
AUTHORIZED
USE
OF
COPS 
FUNDS.—Section 1701(b) of part Q of title I of the 
Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 
(34 U.S.C. 10381(b)) is amended— 
(A) in paragraph (22), by striking ‘‘and’’ 
after the semicolon; 
(B) in paragraph (23), by striking the pe-
riod at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(24) to develop and implement alternative 
methods of reducing crime in communities, to sup-
plant punitive programs or policies (as such term is 
defined in section 501(a)(1)(I)).’’. 
(3) ADDITIONAL AUTHORIZED USE OF GRANTS 
TO ENCOURAGE ARREST POLICIES.—Section 2101(b) 
of part U of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and 
Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10461(b)) is 
amended by adding after paragraph (22) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(23) To develop and implement alternative 
methods of reducing crime in communities, to sup-
plant punitive programs or policies. For purposes of 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00078
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
this paragraph, a punitive program or policy is a 
program or policy that (A) imposes a penalty on a 
victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual as-
sault, or stalking, on the basis of a request by the vic-
tim for law enforcement or emergency assistance; or 
(B) imposes a penalty on such a victim because of 
criminal activity at the property in which the victim 
resides.’’. 
SEC. 604. TRANSITIONAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS 
FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DAT-
ING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR STALK-
ING. 
Section 40299 of the Violence Against Women Act of 
1994 (34 U.S.C. 12351) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding 
paragraph (1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘the Director of the Violence 
Against Women Office’’ and inserting ‘‘the Di-
rector of the Office on Violence Against Women’’; 
and 
(B) by inserting after ‘‘, other nonprofit, 
nongovernmental organizations’’ the following: ‘‘, 
population-specific organizations’’; and 
(2) in subsection (g)— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00079
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘2014 
through 2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2020 through 
2024’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘5 per-
cent’’ and inserting ‘‘8 percent’’. 
SEC. 605. ADDRESSING THE HOUSING NEEDS OF VICTIMS 
OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, 
SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING. 
(a) 
MCKINNEY-VENTO
HOMELESS
ASSISTANCE 
GRANTS.—Section 423(a) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11383(a)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (6), by inserting after ‘‘cur-
rently residing in permanent housing,’’ the following: 
‘‘who are seeking an external emergency transfer (as 
such term is defined in section 41411 of the Violence 
Against Women Act of 1994) pursuant to section 
41411 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994,’’; 
and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(13) Facilitating and coordinating activities to 
ensure compliance with section 41411(e) of the Vio-
lence Against Women Act of 1994, including, in con-
sultation with the regional office (if applicable) of the 
appropriate agency (as such term is defined in sec-
tion 41411 of the Violence Against Women Act of 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00080
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
1994), development of external emergency transfer 
memoranda of understanding between covered housing 
providers, participating in the local Continua of 
Care, facilitation of external emergency transfers be-
tween those covered housing providers participating 
in the local Continua of Care, and monitoring com-
pliance with the confidentiality protections of section 
41411(c)(4) of the Violence Against Women Act of 
1994 for reporting to that regional office.’’. 
(b) ALLOCATION OF AMOUNTS AND INCENTIVES FOR 
SPECIFIC
ELIGIBLE
ACTIVITIES.—Section 428 of the 
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
11386b) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (d), by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(4) DEVELOPMENT
OF
SUPPORTIVE
SERVICES 
AND COORDINATION REGARDING EMERGENCY TRANS-
FERS.—The Secretary shall provide bonuses or other 
incentives to geographic areas for developing sup-
portive services under section 423(a)(6) and facili-
tating and coordinating activities for emergency 
transfers under section 423(a)(13) that have been 
proven to be effective at reducing homelessness among 
victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual 
assault, and stalking.’’; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00081
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) MINIMUM ALLOCATION FOR MONITORING AND FA-
CILITATING COMPLIANCE.—From the amounts made avail-
able to carry out this part for a fiscal year, a portion equal 
to not less than 5 percent of the sums made available to 
carry out part B and this part shall be made available to 
monitor and facilitate compliance with section 41411 of the 
Violence Against Women Act of 1994, including supportive 
services under section 423(a)(6) and facilitation and co-
ordination activities under section 423(a)(13).’’. 
(c) DEFINITION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND OTHER 
DANGEROUS OR LIFE-THREATENING CONDITIONS AMEND-
ED.—Section 103(b) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless As-
sistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302(b)) is amended by striking 
‘‘in the individual’s or family’s current housing situation’’. 
(d) COLLABORATIVE
GRANTS
TO
INCREASE
THE 
LONG-TERM STABILITY OF VICTIMS.—Section 41404(i) of 
the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 
12474(i)) is amended by striking ‘‘2014 through 2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2020 through 2024’’. 
(e) GRANTS TO COMBAT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN 
IN PUBLIC AND ASSISTED HOUSING.—Section 41405 of the 
Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12475) is 
amended— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00082
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
(1) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘the Director of 
the Violence Against Women Office’’ and inserting 
‘‘the Director of the Office on Violence Against 
Women’’; 
(2) in subsection (c)(2)(D), by inserting after 
‘‘linguistically and culturally specific service pro-
viders,’’ the following: ‘‘population-specific organiza-
tions,’’; and 
(3) in subsection (g), by striking ‘‘2014 through 
2018’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘2020 through 
2024’’. 
SEC. 606. UNITED STATES HOUSING ACT OF 1937 AMEND-
MENTS. 
Section 5A(d) of the United States Housing Act of 
1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437c–1(d)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (13), to read as follows: 
‘‘(13) DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, 
SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR STALKING PROGRAMS.— 
‘‘(A) COPIES.—A copy of— 
‘‘(i) all standardized notices issued 
pursuant to the housing protections under 
subtitle N of the Violence Against Women 
Act of 1994, including the notice required 
under section 41411(d) of the Violence 
Against Women Act of 1994; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00083
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(ii) the emergency transfer plan 
issued pursuant to section 41411 of the Vio-
lence Against Women Act of 1994; and 
‘‘(iii) any and all memoranda of un-
derstanding with other covered housing pro-
viders developed to facilitate emergency 
transfers under section 41411(e) of the Vio-
lence Against Women Act of 1994. 
‘‘(B) DESCRIPTIONS.—A description of— 
‘‘(i) any activities, services, or pro-
grams provided or offered by an agency, ei-
ther directly or in partnership with other 
service providers, to child or adult victims 
of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual 
assault, or stalking; 
‘‘(ii) any activities, services, or pro-
grams provided or offered by a public hous-
ing agency that helps child and adult vic-
tims of domestic violence, dating violence, 
sexual assault, or stalking, to obtain or 
maintain housing; 
‘‘(iii) any activities, services, or pro-
grams provided or offered by a public hous-
ing agency to prevent domestic violence, 
dating violence, sexual assault, and stalk-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00084
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
ing, or to enhance victim safety in assisted 
families; and 
‘‘(iv) all training and support services 
offered to staff of the public housing agency 
to provide a basic understanding of domes-
tic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, 
and stalking, and to facilitate implementa-
tion of the housing protections of section 
41411 of the Violence Against Women Act of 
1994.’’; and 
(2) in pararaph (16), by inserting ‘‘the Violence 
Against Women Act of 1994,’’ before ‘‘the Fair Hous-
ing Act’’. 
TITLE VII—ECONOMIC SECURITY 
FOR VICTIMS 
SEC. 701. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) Over 1 in 3 women experience sexual vio-
lence, and 1 in 5 women have survived completed or 
attempted rape. Such violence has a devastating im-
pact on women’s physical and emotional health, fi-
nancial security, and ability to maintain their jobs, 
and thus impacts interstate commerce and economic 
security. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00085
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
(2) The Office on Violence Against Women of the 
Department of Justice defines domestic violence as a 
pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that 
is used by one intimate partner to gain or maintain 
power and control over another intimate partner. Do-
mestic violence can include physical, sexual, emo-
tional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of 
actions that influence another person. Domestic vio-
lence includes any behaviors that intimidate, manip-
ulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, 
threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound an indi-
vidual. 
(3) The Centers for Disease Control and Preven-
tion report that domestic violence or intimate partner 
violence is a serious public health issue for millions 
of individuals in the United States. Nearly 1 in 4 
women and 1 in 9 men in the United States have suf-
fered sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by 
an intimate partner. 
(4) Homicide is one of the leading causes of 
death for women on the job. Domestic partners or rel-
atives commit 43 percent of workplace homicides 
against women. One study found that intimate part-
ner violence resulted in 142 homicides among women 
at work in the United States from 2003 to 2008, a 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00086
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
figure which represents 22 percent of the 648 work-
place homicides among women during the period. In 
fact, in 2010, homicides against women at work in-
creased by 13 percent despite continuous declines in 
overall workplace homicides in recent years. 
(5) Women in the United States are 11 times 
more likely to be murdered with guns than women in 
other high-income countries. Female intimate part-
ners are more likely to be murdered with a firearm 
than all other means combined. The presence of a gun 
in domestic violence situations increases the risk of 
homicide for women by 500 percent. 
(6) Violence can have a dramatic impact on the 
survivor of such violence. Studies indicate that 44 
percent of surveyed employed adults experienced the 
effect of domestic violence in the workplace, and 64 
percent indicated their workplace performance was 
affected by such violence. Another recent survey found 
that 78 percent of offenders used workplace resources 
to express anger, check up on, pressure, or threaten a 
survivor. Sexual assault, whether occurring in or out 
of the workplace, can impair an employee’s work per-
formance, require time away from work, and under-
mine the employee’s ability to maintain a job. Nearly 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00087
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
50 percent of sexual assault survivors lose their jobs 
or are forced to quit in the aftermath of the assaults. 
(7) Studies find that 60 percent of single women 
lack economic security and 81 percent of households 
with single mothers live in economic insecurity. Sig-
nificant barriers that survivors confront include ac-
cess to housing, transportation, and child care. Nine-
ty-two percent of homeless women have experienced 
domestic violence, and more than 50 percent of such 
women cite domestic violence as the direct cause for 
homelessness. Survivors are deprived of their auton-
omy, liberty, and security, and face tremendous 
threats to their health and safety. 
(8) The Centers for Disease Control and Preven-
tion report that survivors of severe intimate partner 
violence lose nearly 8,000,000 days of paid work, 
which is the equivalent of more than 32,000 full-time 
jobs and almost 5,600,000 days of household produc-
tivity each year. Therefore, women disproportionately 
need time off to care for their health or to find safety 
solutions, such as obtaining a restraining order or 
finding housing, to avoid or prevent further violence. 
(9) Annual costs of intimate partner violence are 
estimated to be more than $8,300,000,000. According 
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00088
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
costs of intimate partner violence against women in 
1995 exceeded an estimated $5,800,000,000. These 
costs included nearly $4,100,000,000 in the direct 
costs of medical and mental health care and nearly 
$1,800,000,000 in the indirect costs of lost produc-
tivity. These statistics are generally considered to be 
underestimated because the costs associated with the 
criminal justice system are not included. 
(10) Fifty-five percent of senior executives re-
cently surveyed said domestic violence has a harmful 
effect on their company’s productivity, and more than 
70 percent said domestic violence negatively affects 
attendance. Seventy-eight percent of human resources 
professionals consider partner violence a workplace 
issue. However, more than 70 percent of United 
States workplaces have no formal program or policy 
that addresses workplace violence, let alone domestic 
violence. In fact, only four percent of employers pro-
vided training on domestic violence. 
(11) Studies indicate that one of the best predic-
tors of whether a survivor will be able to stay away 
from his or her abuser is the degree of his or her eco-
nomic independence. However, domestic violence, dat-
ing violence, sexual assault, and stalking often nega-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00089
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
tively impact a survivor’s ability to maintain em-
ployment. 
(12) Abusers frequently seek to exert financial 
control over their partners by actively interfering 
with their ability to work, including preventing their 
partners from going to work, harassing their partners 
at work, limiting their partners’ access to cash or 
transportation, and sabotaging their partners’ child 
care arrangements. 
(13) Economic abuse refers to behaviors that con-
trol an intimate partner’s ability to acquire, use, and 
maintain access to, money, credit, ownership of as-
sets, or access to governmental or private financial 
benefits, including defaulting on joint obligations 
(such as school loans, credit card debt, mortgages, or 
rent). Other forms of such abuse may include pre-
venting someone from attending school, threatening to 
or actually terminating employment, controlling or 
withholding access to cash, checking, or credit ac-
counts, and attempting to damage or sabotage the 
creditworthiness of an intimate partner, including 
forcing an intimate partner to write bad checks, forc-
ing an intimate partner to default on payments re-
lated to household needs, such as housing, or forcing 
an intimate partner into bankruptcy. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00090
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
(14) The Patient Protection and Affordable Care 
Act (Public Law 111–148), and the amendments 
made by such Act, ensures that most health plans 
must cover preventive services, including screening 
and counseling for domestic violence, at no additional 
cost. In addition, it prohibits insurance companies 
from discriminating against patients for preexisting 
conditions, like domestic violence. 
(15) Yet, more can be done to help survivors. 
Federal law in effect on the day before the date of en-
actment of this Act does not explicitly— 
(A) authorize survivors of domestic violence, 
dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to 
take leave from work to seek legal assistance and 
redress, counseling, or assistance with safety 
planning activities; 
(B) address the eligibility of survivors of do-
mestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, 
or stalking for unemployment compensation; 
(C) provide job protection to survivors of 
domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, 
or stalking; 
(D) prohibit insurers and employers who 
self-insure employee benefits from discriminating 
against survivors of domestic violence, dating vi-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00091
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
olence, sexual assault, or stalking and those who 
help them in determining eligibility, rates 
charged, and standards for payment of claims; 
or 
(E) prohibit insurers from disclosing infor-
mation about abuse and the location of the sur-
vivors through insurance databases and other 
means. 
(16) This Act aims to empower survivors of do-
mestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or 
stalking to be free from violence, hardship, and con-
trol, which restrains basic human rights to freedom 
and safety in the United States. 
SEC. 702. NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER ON WORKPLACE 
RESPONSES TO ASSIST VICTIMS OF DOMES-
TIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE. 
Section 41501 of the Violent Crime Control and Law 
Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12501) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘and sexual harassment’’ 
after ‘‘domestic and sexual violence’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘employers and labor orga-
nizations’’ and inserting ‘‘employers, labor orga-
nizations, and victim service providers’’; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00092
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
(2) in subsection (b)(3), by striking ‘‘and stalk-
ing’’ and inserting ‘‘stalking, and sexual harass-
ment’’; 
(3) in subsection (c)(1), by inserting before the 
period at the end ‘‘or sexual harassment’’; 
(4) in subsection (c)(2)(A), by inserting ‘‘or sex-
ual harassment;’’ after ‘‘sexual violence’’; and 
(5) in subsection (e), by striking ‘‘$1,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘$2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 
2024’’. 
SEC. 703. ENTITLEMENT TO UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSA-
TION FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL AND OTHER 
HARASSMENT AND SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC 
VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL AS-
SAULT, OR STALKING. 
(a) UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION.— 
(1) Section 3304(a) of the Internal Revenue Code 
of 1986 is amended by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of 
paragraph (18), by redesignating paragraph (19) as 
paragraph (20), and by inserting after paragraph 
(18) the following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(19) no person may be denied compensation 
under such State law solely on the basis of the indi-
vidual having a voluntary separation from work if 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00093
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
such separation is attributable to such individual 
being a victim of sexual or other harassment or a sur-
vivor of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual as-
sault, or stalking; and’’. 
(2) Section 3304 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986 is amended by adding at the end the following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(g) SEXUAL OR OTHER HARASSMENT; ETC.— 
‘‘(1) DOCUMENTATION.—For purposes of sub-
section (a)(19), a voluntary separation of an indi-
vidual shall be considered to be attributable to such 
individual being a survivor of victim of sexual or 
other harassment or a survivor of domestic violence, 
dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking if such in-
dividual submits such evidence as the State deems 
sufficient. 
‘‘(2) SUFFICIENT
DOCUMENTATION.—For pur-
poses of paragraph (1), a State shall deem sufficient, 
at a minimum— 
‘‘(A) evidence of such harassment, violence, 
assault, or stalking in the form of— 
‘‘(i) a sworn statement and a form of 
identification, 
‘‘(ii) a police or court record, or 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00094
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(iii) documentation from a survivor 
services organization, an attorney, a police 
officer, a medical professional, a social 
worker, an antiviolence counselor, a member 
of the clergy, or another professional, and 
‘‘(B) an attestation that such voluntary sep-
aration is attributable to such harassment, vio-
lence, assault, or stalking. 
‘‘(3) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this sec-
tion— 
‘‘(A) The terms ‘domestic violence’, ‘dating 
violence’, ‘sexual assault’, and ‘stalking’ have the 
meanings given such terms in section 40002 of 
the Violence Against Women Act of 1994. 
‘‘(B) The term ‘survivor of domestic vio-
lence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking’ 
has the meaning given such term in section 
41502 of the Violence Against Women Act of 
1994. 
‘‘(C) The term ‘survivor services organiza-
tion’ means an organization exempt from tax 
under section 501(a) that provides assistance to 
or advocates for survivors of domestic violence, 
dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00095
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
(b) 
UNEMPLOYMENT
COMPENSATION
PERSONNEL 
TRAINING.—Section 303(a) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 503(a)) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (12) 
as paragraphs (5) through (13), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the fol-
lowing new paragraph: 
‘‘(4)(A) Such methods of administration as will 
ensure that— 
‘‘(i) applicants for unemployment com-
pensation and individuals inquiring about such 
compensation are notified of the provisions of 
section 3304(a)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code 
of 1986; and 
‘‘(ii) claims reviewers and hearing per-
sonnel are trained in— 
‘‘(I) the nature and dynamics of sexual 
and other harassment, domestic violence, 
dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking; 
and 
‘‘(II) methods of ascertaining and 
keeping confidential information about pos-
sible experiences of sexual and other harass-
ment, domestic violence, dating violence, 
sexual assault, or stalking to ensure that— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00096
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(aa) requests for unemployment 
compensation based on separations 
stemming from sexual and other har-
assment, domestic violence, dating vio-
lence, sexual assault, or stalking are 
identified and adjudicated; and 
‘‘(bb) confidentiality is provided 
for the individual’s claim and sub-
mitted evidence. 
‘‘(B) For purposes of this paragraph— 
‘‘(i) the terms ‘domestic violence’, ‘dating 
violence’, ‘sexual assault’, ‘stalking’ have the 
meanings given such terms in section 40002 of 
the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 ; 
‘‘(ii) the term ‘sexual and other harassment’ 
has the meaning given such term under State 
law, regulation, or policy; and 
‘‘(iii) the term ‘survivor of domestic vio-
lence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking’ 
means— 
‘‘(I) a person who has experienced or is 
experiencing domestic violence, dating vio-
lence, sexual assault, or stalking; and 
‘‘(II) a person whose family or house-
hold member has experienced or is experi-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00097
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
encing domestic violence, dating violence, 
sexual assault, or stalking.’’. 
(c) TANF PERSONNEL TRAINING.—Section 402(a) of 
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 602(a)) is amended by 
adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(8) CERTIFICATION THAT THE STATE WILL PROVIDE 
INFORMATION TO SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL AND OTHER HAR-
ASSMENT, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEX-
UAL ASSAULT, OR STALKING.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—A certification by the chief 
executive officer of the State that the State has estab-
lished and is enforcing standards and procedures to— 
‘‘(i) ensure that applicants for assistance 
under State program funded under this part and 
individuals inquiring about such assistance are 
adequately notified of— 
‘‘(I) 
the 
provisions 
of 
section 
3304(a)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986; and 
‘‘(II) assistance made available by the 
State to survivors of sexual and other har-
assment, domestic violence, dating violence, 
sexual assault, or stalking; 
‘‘(ii) ensure that case workers and other 
agency personnel responsible for administering 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00098
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
the State program funded under this part are 
adequately trained in— 
‘‘(I) the nature and dynamics of sexual 
and other harassment, domestic violence, 
dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking; 
‘‘(II) State standards and procedures 
relating to the prevention of, and assistance 
for individuals who are survivors of sexual 
and other harassment, domestic violence, 
dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking; 
and 
‘‘(III) methods of ascertaining and 
keeping confidential information about pos-
sible experiences of sexual and other harass-
ment, domestic violence, dating violence, 
sexual assault, or stalking; 
‘‘(iii) ensure that, if a State has elected to 
establish and enforce standards and procedures 
regarding the screening for, and identification of, 
domestic violence pursuant to paragraph (7)— 
‘‘(I) applicants for assistance under the 
State program funded under this part and 
individuals inquiring about such assistance 
are adequately notified of options available 
under such standards and procedures; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00099
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
100 
‘‘(II) case workers and other agency 
personnel responsible for administering the 
State program funded under this part are 
provided with adequate training regarding 
such standards and procedures and options 
available under such standards and proce-
dures; and 
‘‘(iv) ensure that the training required 
under subparagraphs (B) and, if applicable, 
(C)(ii) is provided through a training program 
operated by an eligible entity. 
‘‘(B) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this para-
graph— 
‘‘(i) the terms ‘domestic violence’, ‘dating 
violence’, ‘sexual assault’, ‘stalking’ have the 
meanings given such terms in section 40002 of 
the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 ; 
‘‘(ii) the term ‘sexual and other harassment’ 
has the meaning given such term under State 
law, regulation, or policy; and 
‘‘(iii) the term ‘survivor of domestic vio-
lence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking’ 
means— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00100
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
101 
‘‘(I) a person who has experienced or is 
experiencing domestic violence, dating vio-
lence, sexual assault, or stalking; and 
‘‘(II) a person whose family or house-
hold member has experienced or is experi-
encing domestic violence, dating violence, 
sexual assault, or stalking.’’. 
(d) SEXUAL AND OTHER HARASSMENT, DOMESTIC VI-
OLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR STALK-
ING TRAINING GRANT PROGRAM.— 
(1) GRANTS
AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary of 
Labor (in this subsection referred to as the ‘‘Sec-
retary’’) is authorized to award— 
(A) a grant to a national survivor services 
organization in order for such organization to— 
(i) develop and disseminate a model 
training program (and related materials) 
for the training required under section 
303(a)(4)(B) of the Social Security Act, as 
added by subsection (b), and under sub-
paragraph (B) and, if applicable, subpara-
graph (C)(ii) of section 402(a)(8) of such 
Act, as added by subsection (c); and 
(ii) provide technical assistance with 
respect to such model training program, in-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00101
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
102 
cluding technical assistance to the tem-
porary assistance for needy families pro-
gram and unemployment compensation per-
sonnel; and 
(B) grants to State, tribal, or local agencies 
in order for such agencies to contract with eligi-
ble entities to provide State, tribal, or local case-
workers and other State, tribal, or local agency 
personnel responsible for administering the tem-
porary assistance for needy families program es-
tablished under part A of title IV of the Social 
Security Act in a State or Indian reservation 
with the training required under subparagraph 
(B) and, if applicable, subparagraph (C)(ii) of 
such section 402(a)(8). 
(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITY DEFINED.—For purposes 
of paragraph (1)(B), the term ‘‘eligible entity’’ means 
an entity— 
(A) that is— 
(i) a State or tribal domestic violence 
coalition or sexual assault coalition; 
(ii) a State or local survivor services 
organization with recognized expertise in 
the dynamics of domestic violence, dating 
violence, sexual assault, or stalking whose 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00102
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
103 
primary mission is to provide services to 
survivors of domestic violence, dating vio-
lence, sexual assault, or stalking, including 
a rape crisis center or domestic violence 
program; or 
(iii) 
an 
organization 
with 
dem-
onstrated expertise in State or county wel-
fare laws and implementation of such laws 
and experience with disseminating informa-
tion on such laws and implementation, but 
only if such organization will provide the 
required training in partnership with an 
entity described in clause (i) or (ii); and 
(B) that— 
(i) has demonstrated expertise in the 
dynamics of both domestic violence and sex-
ual assault, such as a joint domestic vio-
lence and sexual assault coalition; or 
(ii) will provide the required training 
in partnership with an entity described in 
clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A) in 
order to comply with the dual domestic vio-
lence and sexual assault expertise require-
ment under clause (i). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00103
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
104 
(3) APPLICATION.—An entity seeking a grant 
under this subsection shall submit an application to 
the Secretary at such time, in such form and manner, 
and containing such information as the Secretary 
specifies. 
(4) REPORTS.— 
(A) REPORTS
TO
CONGRESS.—Not later 
than a year after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary 
shall submit to Congress a report on the grant 
program established under this subsection. 
(B) REPORTS AVAILABLE TO PUBLIC.—The 
Secretary shall establish procedures for the dis-
semination to the public of each report submitted 
under subparagraph (A). Such procedures shall 
include the use of the internet to disseminate 
such reports. 
(5) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to 
be appropriated— 
(i) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2020 to 
carry out the provisions of paragraph 
(1)(A); and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00104
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
105 
(ii) $12,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2020 through 2024 to carry out the provi-
sions of paragraph (1)(B). 
(B) THREE-YEAR AVAILABILITY OF GRANT 
FUNDS.—Each recipient of a grant under this 
subsection shall return to the Secretary any un-
used portion of such grant not later than 3 years 
after the date the grant was awarded, together 
with any earnings on such unused portion. 
(C) AMOUNTS
RETURNED.—Any amounts 
returned pursuant to subparagraph (B) shall be 
available without further appropriation to the 
Secretary for the purpose of carrying out the 
provisions of paragraph (1)(B). 
(e) EFFECT ON EXISTING LAWS, ETC.— 
(1) MORE
PROTECTIVE
LAWS, 
AGREEMENTS, 
PROGRAMS, AND PLANS.—Nothing in this title shall be 
construed to supersede any provision of any Federal, 
State, or local law, collective bargaining agreement, 
or employment benefits program or plan that provides 
greater unemployment insurance benefits for survivors 
of sexual and other harassment, domestic violence, 
dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking than the 
rights established under this title. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00105
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
106 
(2) LESS PROTECTIVE LAWS, AGREEMENTS, PRO-
GRAMS, AND PLANS.—Any law, collective bargaining 
agreement, or employment benefits program or plan 
of a State or unit of local government is preempted 
to the extent that such law, agreement, or program or 
plan would impair the exercise of any right estab-
lished under this title or the amendments made by 
this title. 
(f) EFFECTIVE DATE.— 
(1) UNEMPLOYMENT AMENDMENTS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraph (B) and paragraph (2), the 
amendments made by this section shall apply in 
the case of compensation paid for weeks begin-
ning on or after the expiration of 180-day period 
beginning on the date of enactment of this Act. 
(B) EXTENSION OF EFFECTIVE DATE FOR 
STATE LAW AMENDMENT.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided 
in paragraph (2), in a case in which the 
Secretary of Labor identifies a State as re-
quiring a change to its statutes, regulations, 
or policies in order to comply with the 
amendments made by this section, such 
amendments shall apply in the case of com-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00106
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
107 
pensation paid for weeks beginning after the 
earlier of— 
(I) the date the State changes its 
statutes, regulations, or policies in 
order to comply with such amend-
ments; or 
(II) the end of the first session of 
the State legislature which begins after 
the date of enactment of this Act or 
which began prior to such date and re-
mained in session for at least 25 cal-
endar days after such date, except that 
in no case shall such amendments 
apply before the date that is 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(ii) SESSION DEFINED.—In this sub-
paragraph, the term ‘‘session’’ means a reg-
ular, special, budget, or other session of a 
State legislature. 
(2) TANF AMENDMENT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraph (B), the amendment made by sub-
section (c) shall take effect on the date of enact-
ment of this Act. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00107
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
108 
(B) EXTENSION OF EFFECTIVE DATE FOR 
STATE LAW AMENDMENT.—In the case of a State 
plan under part A of title IV of the Social Secu-
rity Act which the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services determines requires State ac-
tion (including legislation, regulation, or other 
administrative action) in order for the plan to 
meet the additional requirements imposed by the 
amendment made by subsection (c), the State 
plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply 
with the requirements of such amendment on the 
basis of its failure to meet these additional re-
quirements before the first day of the first cal-
endar quarter beginning after the close of the 
first regular session of the State legislature that 
begins after the date of enactment of this Act. 
For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case 
of a State that has a two-year legislative session, 
each year of the session is considered to be a sep-
arate regular session of the State legislature. 
(g) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the terms ‘‘sexual 
and other harassment’’, ‘‘domestic violence’’, ‘‘dating vio-
lence’’, ‘‘sexual assault’’, ‘‘stalking’’, ‘‘survivor of sexual and 
other harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual 
assault, or stalking’’, and ‘‘survivor services organization’’ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00108
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
109 
have the meanings given such terms in section 3304(g) of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 
SEC. 704. STUDY AND REPORTS ON BARRIERS TO SUR-
VIVORS’ ECONOMIC SECURITY ACCESS. 
(a) STUDY.—The Secretary of Health and Human 
Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall 
conduct a study on the barriers that survivors of domestic 
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking 
throughout the United States experience in maintaining 
economic security as a result of issues related to domestic 
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. 
(b) REPORTS.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this title, and every 5 years thereafter, the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation 
with the Secretary of Labor, shall submit a report to Con-
gress on the study conducted under subsection (a). 
(c) CONTENTS.—The study and reports under this sec-
tion shall include— 
(1) identification of geographic areas in which 
State laws, regulations, and practices have a strong 
impact on the ability of survivors of domestic vio-
lence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to 
exercise— 
(A) any rights under this Act without com-
promising personal safety or the safety of others, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00109
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
110 
including family members and excluding the 
abuser; and 
(B) other components of economic security; 
(2) identification of geographic areas with short-
ages in resources for such survivors, with an accom-
panying analysis of the extent and impact of such 
shortage; 
(3) analysis of factors related to industries, 
workplace settings, employer practices, trends, and 
other elements that impact the ability of such sur-
vivors to exercise any rights under this Act without 
compromising personal safety or the safety of others, 
including family members; 
(4) the recommendations of the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services and the Secretary of 
Labor with respect to resources, oversight, and en-
forcement tools to ensure successful implementation of 
the provisions of this Act in order to support the eco-
nomic security and safety of survivors of domestic vi-
olence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking; 
and 
(5) best practices for States, employers, health 
carriers, insurers, and other private entities in ad-
dressing issues related to domestic violence, dating vi-
olence, sexual assault, or stalking. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00110
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
111 
SEC. 705. GAO STUDY. 
Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
and Pensions of the Senate a report that examines, with 
respect to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, 
sexual assault, or stalking who are, or were, enrolled at in-
stitutions of higher education and borrowed a loan made, 
insured, or guaranteed under title IV of the Higher Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.) for which the 
survivors have not repaid the total interest and principal 
due, each of the following: 
(1) The implications of domestic violence, dating 
violence, sexual assault, or stalking on a borrower’s 
ability to repay their Federal student loans. 
(2) The adequacy of policies and procedures re-
garding Federal student loan deferment, forbearance, 
and grace periods when a survivor has to suspend or 
terminate the survivor’s enrollment at an institution 
of higher education due to domestic violence, dating 
violence, sexual assault, or stalking. 
(3) The adequacy of institutional policies and 
practices regarding retention or transfer of credits 
when a survivor has to suspend or terminate the sur-
vivor’s enrollment at an institution of higher edu-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00111
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
112 
cation due to domestic violence, dating violence, sex-
ual assault, or stalking. 
(4) The availability or any options for a sur-
vivor of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual as-
sault, or stalking who attended an institution of high-
er education that committed unfair, deceptive, or abu-
sive acts or practices, or otherwise substantially mis-
represented information to students, to be able to seek 
a defense to repayment of the survivor’s Federal stu-
dent loan. 
(5) The limitations faced by a survivor of domes-
tic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalk-
ing to obtain any relief or restitution on the sur-
vivor’s Federal student loan debt due to the use of 
forced arbitration, gag orders, or bans on class ac-
tions. 
SEC. 706. EDUCATION AND INFORMATION PROGRAMS FOR 
SURVIVORS. 
(a) PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Labor, in 
conjunction with the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services (through the Director of the Centers for Dis-
ease Control and Prevention and the grant recipient 
under section 41501 of the Violence Against Women 
Act of 1994 that establishes the national resource cen-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:26 Mar 28, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00112
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1585.RH
H1585
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS