I 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3208 
To ensure that older adults and individuals with disabilities are prepared 
for disasters, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 11, 2019 
Mr. LANGEVIN (for himself, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, and Ms. SHALALA) 
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on 
Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within 
the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To ensure that older adults and individuals with disabilities 
are prepared for disasters, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Real Emergency Ac-
cess for Aging and Disability Inclusion for Disasters Act’’ 
or the ‘‘REAADI for Disasters Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following find-
ings: 
(1) In the United States, according to the Cen-
ters for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 
more than 61,000,000 adults who are individuals 
with disabilities and, according to the Bureau of the 
Census, there are more than 47,800,000 adults age 
65 or older. 
(2) There have been more than 80 hurricanes, 
resulting in thousands of deaths, in the United 
States since 2005. 
(3) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration estimates that— 
(A) the cumulative damage from weather- 
and climate-related disasters in 2017 cost the 
United States over $300,000,000,000; and 
(B) 17 of the disasters in 2017 cost over 
$1,000,000,000 each. 
(4) Individuals with disabilities and older adults 
have been found to die at higher rates, compared to 
the general population, during disasters. 
(5) According to the Federal Emergency Man-
agement Administration— 
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(A) more than 48,000,000 people were af-
fected by hurricanes and wildfires between Au-
gust and December of 2017; and 
(B) more than 12,000,000, or one quarter, 
of those peoples were adults who were individ-
uals with disabilities. 
(6) An estimated 70 percent of the deaths at-
tributed to Hurricane Maria in 2017 were to people 
age 70 or older. 
(7) Failure to provide accessibility for, or plan 
for accommodating, individuals with physical or sen-
sory disabilities, chronic illness, or mental disabilities 
decreases the ability of those individuals to evacuate 
prior to or during a disaster. 
(8) Households of individuals with disabilities 
are more likely to need assistance and are less likely 
to be able to evacuate in advance of disasters. 
(9) Less than a third of individuals with intel-
lectual disabilities and individuals needing personal 
care attendants have planned with their personal 
care providers what to do in a disaster. 
(10) Evacuation information, including orders, 
is not uniformly communicated in ways and via 
media that are accessible to individuals with disabil-
ities, including being communicated in ways that 
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lack use of American Sign Language, captions, and 
plain language on websites, instructional materials, 
and television and radio announcements. 
(11) Displaced individuals with disabilities 
served in general population shelters have better ac-
cess to information and material resources than indi-
viduals with disabilities in specially designed shel-
ters. 
(12) Despite better access to information and 
resources, personnel in general population shelters 
often do not have the resources or training to ad-
dress the needs of individuals with disabilities and 
older adults. 
(13) Public shelters often do not have dis-
ability-related accommodations, often forcing individ-
uals with disabilities and older adults to be seg-
regated, sometimes apart from their families and 
natural supports during disasters. 
(14) Households with individuals with disabil-
ities sustain more costly property damage from dis-
asters than households without individuals with dis-
abilities. 
(15) Historically, disaster-related recommenda-
tions for individuals with disabilities and older 
adults have been typically aimed at caregivers and 
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service providers, not individuals with disabilities 
and older adults. 
(16) Thousands of individuals with disabilities 
have been denied their civil rights because they do 
not receive accessible notice during disasters— 
(A) of spoken instructions via phone or 
video; or 
(B) of instructions regarding evacuations, 
sheltering, and other procedures during disas-
ters. 
(17) Disaster shelters and services do not rou-
tinely have American Sign Language interpreters 
nor procedures written or presented in plain lan-
guage. 
(18) Individuals with disabilities and older 
adults are more at risk for loss of life, loss of inde-
pendence, and violation of civil rights than the gen-
eral population during times of disasters, response, 
and recovery. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) individuals with disabilities and older adults 
should be supported during times of disasters, and 
during disaster preparedness, response, recovery, 
and mitigation in order to— 
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to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and 
mitigate a disaster; or 
(E) an individual with limited access to the 
financial resources that would enable the indi-
vidual to prepare for, respond to, recover from, 
and mitigate a disaster. 
(2) ALL HAZARDS APPROACH.—The term ‘‘all 
hazards approach’’ means planning for natural, 
technological, or human-caused incidents that war-
rant action to— 
(A) protect life, property, the environment, 
or the public health or safety; and 
(B) minimize disruptions of school activi-
ties. 
(3) CIVIL
RIGHTS.—The term ‘‘civil rights’’, 
used with respect to an individual, means the rights 
of the individual to be free from discrimination on 
the basis of disability or age in programs and activi-
ties. 
(4) COVERED INDIVIDUAL.—The term ‘‘covered 
individual’’ means an individual with a disability, an 
older adult, and an individual with access and func-
tional needs. 
(5) DISABILITY INCLUSIVE EMERGENCY MAN-
AGEMENT EXPERIENCE.—The term ‘‘disability inclu-
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sive emergency management experience’’, used with 
respect to an individual or entity— 
(A) means an individual or entity that 
has— 
(i) demonstrated disability leadership 
experience, including working with non-
governmental entities; and 
(ii) subject matter expertise in leading 
disability inclusive preparedness, response, 
recovery, and mitigation initiatives that 
focus on meeting the rights of covered in-
dividuals who are affected by disasters, to 
be free from discrimination on the basis of 
disability or age in programs and activities; 
and 
(B) includes an individual or entity that 
has demonstrated favorable outcomes that 
measure the effective communication access, 
physical access, program access, health, safety, 
and independence of individuals affected by dis-
asters and their communities. 
(6) DISASTER.—The term ‘‘disaster’’ means 
any natural catastrophe (including a hurricane, tor-
nado, or storm, high water, winddriven water, and a 
tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, 
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landslide, 
mudslide, 
snowstorm, 
wildfire, 
or 
drought), technological accident, or human-caused 
event, that results in severe property damage, 
deaths, or multiple injuries. 
(7) DISASTER SERVICES.—The term ‘‘disaster 
services’’ means the process of responding to a dis-
aster and providing humanitarian aid to individuals 
and communities who are affected by a disaster. 
(8) 
DISPROPORTIONATELY
AFFECTED.—The 
term ‘‘disproportionately affected’’, used with re-
spect to a group, means a group of individuals with 
protected status, such as individuals with disabilities 
or older adults, who are excessively adversely af-
fected by disaster-related harms. 
(9) INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY.— 
(A) SINGLE.—The term ‘‘individual with a 
disability’’ means an individual with a dis-
ability, as defined in section 3 of the Americans 
with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
12102). 
(B) PLURAL.—The term ‘‘individuals with 
disabilities’’ means more than one individual 
with a disability, as defined in subparagraph 
(A). 
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(10) OLDER ADULT.—The term ‘‘older adult’’ 
means a resident who is age 50 or older. 
(11) RESIDENT.—The term ‘‘resident’’ means a 
resident of a State. 
(12) 
SECRETARY.—The 
term 
‘‘Secretary’’ 
means the Secretary of Health and Human Services. 
(13) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means any of 
the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Com-
monwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin 
Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Common-
wealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 
(14) VISITABILITY
STANDARDS.—The term 
‘‘visitability standards’’ means standards for Type C 
(Visitable) Units under the Standards for Accessible 
and Usable Buildings and Facilities (ICC A117.1– 
2009), or any successor standards, of the American 
National Standards Institute. 
(15) VOAD.—The term ‘‘VOAD’’ means a non-
governmental organization assisting in disaster prep-
aration, recovery, response, or mitigation. 
SEC. 5. USE OF DISASTER RESPONSE FUNDS. 
Section 615 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5196d) is 
amended— 
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(1) by striking ‘‘Funds made available’’ and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 
‘‘(1) the terms ‘access and functional needs’, 
‘individuals with disabilities’, ‘older adult’, and 
‘visitability standards’ have the meanings given the 
terms under section 4 of the REAADI for Disasters 
Act; 
‘‘(2) the term ‘covered recipient’ means a direct 
or indirect recipient of funds made available under 
this title for a covered use of funds; and 
‘‘(3) the term ‘covered use of funds’ means the 
use of funds for the preparation for, response to, re-
covery from, or mitigation of hazards. 
‘‘(b) USE
OF FUNDS GENERALLY.—Funds made 
available’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) ADVISORY COMMITTEES.—A covered recipient 
shall ensure that an advisory committee that includes indi-
viduals with disabilities, older adults, and other individuals 
with access and functional needs oversees the use of funds 
made available under this title by the covered recipient. 
‘‘(d) COMPLIANCE WITH DISABILITY LAWS.—A cov-
ered recipient shall use funds made available under this 
title in accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 
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U.S.C. 701 et seq.) and the Americans with Disabilities 
Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.). 
‘‘(e) CENTERS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING.—A cov-
ered recipient may contract with 1 or more centers for 
independent living (as defined in section 702 of the Reha-
bilitation Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 796a)) to— 
‘‘(1) prepare for hazards; 
‘‘(2) provide personal assistance services during 
response and recovery periods; 
‘‘(3) identify accessible emergency shelters and 
adapt emergency shelters to be accessible; 
‘‘(4) develop accessible media, including media 
using American Sign Language; and 
‘‘(5) meet other needs for individuals with dis-
abilities, older adults, and individuals with access 
and functional needs. 
‘‘(f) CONTRACTORS.—A nongovernmental organiza-
tion that enters into a contract with a covered recipient 
relating to a covered use of funds shall comply with the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.) and 
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
12101 et seq.) in providing property or services under the 
contract. 
‘‘(g) COMMUNICATIONS.—Communications relating 
to a covered use of funds by a covered recipient shall be 
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made available in languages, including American Sign 
Language and other sign languages, used in the commu-
nities receiving the communications. 
‘‘(h) ACCESSABILITY.—A covered recipient shall en-
sure each facility or service made available in connection 
with a covered use of funds is accessible to individuals with 
disabilities, older adults, and other individuals with access 
and functional needs, including— 
‘‘(1) notifications relating to a hazard; 
‘‘(2) evacuation notifications; 
‘‘(3) notifications relating to disaster services; 
and 
‘‘(4) emergency shelters. 
‘‘(i) VISITABILITY.—A covered recipient that, as part 
of a covered use of funds, constructs or prepares dwelling 
units (including sleeping units) shall ensure that the dwell-
ing units meet visitability standards.’’. 
SEC. 6. TRAINING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND RE-
SEARCH DISABILITY AND DISASTER CEN-
TERS. 
(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to pro-
vide financial support to eligible entities to create centers 
through which the eligible entities will— 
(1) provide training and technical assistance to 
State, tribal, and local disaster relief, public health, 
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and social service agencies in the implementation 
and enhancement of systemic and effective engage-
ment policies, programs, and activities that ensure— 
(A) that the needs and rights of covered 
individuals are addressed and implemented 
throughout all phases of disaster preparation, 
response, recovery, and mitigation; and 
(B) the inclusion of covered individuals in 
the development of all State, tribal, and local 
disaster preparation plans; 
(2) assist Federal, State, tribal, and local dis-
aster relief agencies in the coordination and integra-
tion of Federal, State (including territorial), tribal, 
and local services and programs to serve covered in-
dividuals in the least restrictive environment appro-
priate to their needs during a disaster; 
(3) conduct research and expand knowledge 
about covered individuals and their experiences dur-
ing the preparation, response, recovery, and mitiga-
tion phases of disasters; and 
(4) discover, through research, and disseminate 
knowledge about, the most effective methods for— 
(A) protecting the civil rights of covered 
individuals during times of disasters; 
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(B) including covered individuals in all 
phases of disaster preparation, response, recov-
ery, and mitigation; 
(C) reducing their deaths, injuries and 
losses from disasters; 
(D) reducing the displacement and dis-
proportionate effects of relocation after a dis-
aster, including financial and social effects, on 
covered individuals; and 
(E) ensuring covered individuals are par-
ticipants in the research, development, and dis-
tribution of evidence-based information regard-
ing disasters. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible enti-
ty’’ means an entity or partnership of entities that— 
(A) submits an application to the Sec-
retary in accordance with subsection (e); 
(B) is or includes an institution (which 
may be an institution of higher education), or 
a nongovernmental organization, that focuses 
on— 
(i) serving the needs of individuals 
with disabilities; or 
(ii) serving the needs of older adults; 
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(C) in the case of an entity or partnership 
with a disability focus, has a cross-disability 
service focus; 
(D) has experience in conducting training, 
technical assistance, and research pertaining to 
consumer-directed community support services 
for covered individuals; 
(E) includes covered individuals in posi-
tions of leadership in the planning, manage-
ment, and operation of the programs of train-
ing, technical assistance, and research; 
(F) has knowledge and experience per-
taining to the implementation and enhancement 
of systemic and effective engagement policies, 
programs, and activities that promote the inclu-
sion, needs, and rights of covered individuals in 
preparation for, response to, recovery from, and 
mitigation of disasters; and 
(G) has, or will establish, an advisory 
council or similar entity, of which at least 51 
percent of the members are covered individuals. 
(2) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The 
term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 101(a) of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)). 
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(3) STAKEHOLDER GROUP.—The term ‘‘stake-
holder group’’ means a group of individuals and or-
ganizations that— 
(A) is committed to disability inclusive and 
older adult inclusive disaster management; 
(B) includes covered individuals through-
out preparedness, response, recovery, and miti-
gation activities; 
(C) has leaders that include covered indi-
viduals; 
(D) has a governing or advisory board, of 
which at least half of the members are covered 
individuals; and 
(E) has a mission to inclusively serve cov-
ered individuals. 
(c) AUTHORITY FOR GRANTS.—The Secretary may 
award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities, 
to provide for— 
(1) activities that include covered individuals in 
the preparation (including planning) for, response 
to, recovery from, and mitigation of disasters; and 
(2) research related to disasters and covered in-
dividuals. 
(d) AMOUNT AND PERIOD OF GRANTS.— 
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(1) AMOUNT.—In awarding grants under this 
section, the Secretary shall, to the extent prac-
ticable, award a grant to an eligible entity in an 
amount that is not less than $500,000 and not more 
than $2,000,000. 
(2) DISTRIBUTION.—The Secretary shall award 
not fewer than 2 of the grants in each of the 10 
Federal regions of the Department of Health and 
Human Services. 
(3) PERIODS.—The Secretary shall award the 
grants for periods of 5 years, through an open com-
petition held at the end of each 5-year period. Eligi-
ble entities that receive grants under this section 
may reapply for such grants at the end of the peri-
ods. 
(e) APPLICATIONS.— 
(1) SUBMISSIONS.—To be eligible to receive a 
grant under this section, an entity shall submit an 
application to the Secretary at such time and in 
such manner as the Secretary may require. 
(2) CONTENTS.—Each such application shall 
include, at a minimum, the following: 
(A) A description of the applicant’s dem-
onstrated experience in providing training, in-
formation, and support to individuals with dis-
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(ii) assist in establishing State, tribal, 
and local disaster plans to address the 
needs of both rural and urban populations; 
(iii) in carrying out activities under 
the grant, conduct sufficient outreach to 
VOADs and other nongovernmental orga-
nizations, including organizations that rep-
resent and are comprised of covered indi-
viduals; 
(iv) include covered individuals in a 
meaningful way in the development and 
execution of activities carried out under 
the grant; and 
(v) communicate information on the 
programs and systems developed under the 
grant, in the languages, including Amer-
ican Sign Language, of the communities 
being served. 
(f) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants for activities de-
scribed in this section, the Secretary shall give priority to 
eligible entities that— 
(1) demonstrate a minimum of 3 years of expe-
rience in actively conducting disability inclusive and 
older adult inclusive disaster management; 
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(2) propose activities to address the prepared-
ness, response, recovery, and mitigation needs of 
covered individuals; 
(3) propose activities to address leadership de-
velopment in State, tribal, and local agencies and 
covered individual advocacy organizations; 
(4) demonstrate ability to provide training that 
is about bias because of disability or age and that 
uses experiential approaches and not simulation; 
(5) demonstrate expertise concerning the obliga-
tion to keep individuals free from discrimination on 
the basis of disability and age in programs and ac-
tivities and specific plans for achieving and main-
taining physical access, program access, and effec-
tive communication for covered individuals through-
out all grant activities; 
(6) demonstrate that the eligible entity involved 
will use measurable collaboration and partnership 
strategies with State, tribal, and local agencies, 
VOADs, and other nongovernmental entities in car-
rying out grant activities; 
(7) demonstrate that the eligible entity will use 
measurable disaster outcomes strategies in carrying 
out grant activities; 
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(8) demonstrate the ability to quickly create 
products, such as videos, fact sheets, guidelines, and 
checklists, to be used in disaster management; 
(9) employ constituents of the entity in deci-
sionmaking positions; 
(10) provide disability inclusive and older adult 
inclusive disaster management leadership skills de-
velopment; 
(11) demonstrate awareness of available re-
sources in the community for meeting the prepared-
ness, response, recovery, and mitigation needs of 
covered individuals; and 
(12) demonstrate expertise in promoting the 
use of universal design (as defined in section 3 of 
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1003)), the philosophy of independent living (within 
the meaning of that philosophy in title VII of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 796 et seq.)), 
intersectionality imperatives, and the social model of 
disability. 
(g) USE OF FUNDS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Grant funds made available 
under this section shall be used only for activities 
described in and approved by the Secretary as a part 
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of an application submitted under subsection (e), to 
carry out— 
(A) a strategy designed to ensure the in-
clusion of covered individuals in the preparation 
(including planning) for, response to, recovery 
from, and mitigation of disasters; and 
(B) research to enhance the activities de-
scribed in subparagraph (A), using not more 
than 25 percent of the grant funds to carry out 
that research. 
(2) ACTIVITIES.—Such activities may include 
initiatives that provide comprehensive training, tech-
nical assistance, development of funding sources, 
and support to State, tribal, and local disaster relief, 
public health, and social service agencies and stake-
holder groups, in order to ensure that, in carrying 
out disaster management planning and programs, 
the agencies and groups address the inclusion, 
rights, and needs of covered individuals by— 
(A) hiring personnel with direct knowledge 
of and experience with meeting the rights of 
covered individuals to be free from discrimina-
tion on the basis of disability or age in pro-
grams and activities; 
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(B) training staff of State, tribal, and local 
disaster relief, public health, and social service 
agencies on the needs and rights of covered in-
dividuals, preferably through training by ex-
perts who are individuals with disabilities and 
experts who are older adults; 
(C) creating partnerships between eligible 
entities, State, tribal, and local disaster relief, 
public health, and social service agencies, 
VOADs, other nongovernmental organizations, 
and organizations representing covered individ-
uals; 
(D) assisting in the development and im-
plementation, in partnership with State, tribal, 
and local disaster relief, public health, and so-
cial service agencies, of plans that will provide 
for a continuum of services to remove barriers 
to full engagement for covered individuals dur-
ing a disaster and in preparedness (including 
planning) for, response to, recovery from, and 
mitigation of a disaster; 
(E) assisting in the creation of standards 
and identification of funding sources for re-
building disaster-damaged housing and new 
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housing that is accessible, affordable, and dis-
aster-resilient; 
(F) assisting in the creation of standards 
for homeowner and flood insurance coverage for 
rebuilding disaster-damaged housing and new 
housing that is accessible, affordable, and dis-
aster-resilient; 
(G) establishing universal design and ac-
cessibility standards, and establishing specifica-
tions for visitability (based on the visitability 
standards), for achieving and maintaining equal 
access for covered individuals throughout all 
hazard mitigation and disaster resilience activi-
ties; 
(H) establishing initiatives to increase new 
and transferred technology and innovations to 
solve notification, evacuation, health mainte-
nance, and other barriers for covered individ-
uals before, during, and after disasters; and 
(I) conducting research, in partnership 
with covered individuals, that will contribute to 
knowledge and strategies to— 
(i) decrease injuries, deaths, and harm 
to covered individuals; 
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(ii) create inclusive disaster prepared-
ness, recovery, response, and mitigation 
strategies for States, Indian tribes, local-
ities, VOADs, and other nongovernmental 
organizations; 
(iii) preserve community living options 
and access to needed services and supports 
for covered individuals during post-disaster 
periods; and 
(iv) conduct longitudinal studies that 
create and maintain datasets to assist in 
the understanding of Federal, State, tribal, 
and local policies designed to reduce the 
negative impact of disasters on covered in-
dividuals and protect the rights of covered 
individuals to be free from discrimination 
on the basis of disability or age in pro-
grams and activities. 
(3) STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES.—The Sec-
retary shall establish standards and guidelines for 
activities supported by a grant under this section. 
Such standards and guidelines shall be developed 
with the input of stakeholder groups. In a situation 
in which a refinement or adaptation of the standards 
or guidelines is made necessary by a local cir-
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cumstance, the Secretary shall enter into negotia-
tions with an eligible entity applying for such a 
grant for a project in the affected area, to refine or 
adapt the standards and guidelines for the project. 
(h) INDIVIDUAL
RIGHTS.—Notwithstanding any 
other provision of this section, no entity, agency, or group 
assisted under this section shall take any action that in-
fringes in any manner on the rights of covered individuals 
to be free from discrimination on the basis of disability 
or age in programs and activities. 
(i) REPORTS.—Not later than January 31 of fiscal 
years 2023 and 2025, the Secretary shall submit to Con-
gress a report describing the activities carried out under 
this section during the preceding 2 fiscal years. 
(j) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025. 
SEC. 7. PROJECTS OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible enti-
ty’’ means an entity or partnership of entities that— 
(A) submits an application to the Sec-
retary at such time, in such manner, and con-
taining such information as the Secretary may 
reasonably require; 
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(B) is or includes an institution (which 
may be an institution of higher education), or 
a nongovernmental organization, that focuses 
on— 
(i) serving the needs of individuals 
with disabilities; or 
(ii) serving the needs of older adults; 
(C) in the case of an entity or partnership 
with a disability focus, has a cross-disability 
service focus; 
(D) has experience in conducting training, 
technical assistance, and research pertaining to 
consumer-directed community support services 
for covered individuals; 
(E) includes covered individuals in posi-
tions of leadership in the planning, manage-
ment, and operation of the programs of train-
ing, technical assistance, and research; 
(F) has knowledge and experience per-
taining to the implementation and enhancement 
of systemic and effective engagement policies, 
programs, and activities that promote the inclu-
sion, needs, and rights of covered individuals in 
preparation for, response to, recovery from, and 
mitigation of disasters; and 
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(G) has, or will establish, an advisory 
council or similar entity, of which at least half 
of the members are covered individuals. 
(2) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The 
term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 6(b). 
(b) 
GRANTS, 
CONTRACTS, 
AND
COOPERATIVE 
AGREEMENTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall award 
grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative 
agreements with, eligible entities on a competitive 
basis to carry out projects of national significance 
that— 
(A) create opportunities for individuals 
with disabilities and older adults to directly con-
tribute to improving preparation for, recovery 
from, response to, and mitigation of disasters; 
(B) support the development of Federal, 
State, tribal, and local policies that reinforce 
and promote the inclusion of individuals with 
disabilities and older adults in Federal, State, 
tribal, and local community preparation for dis-
asters; and 
(C) support research that— 
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(i) tracks, in the short-term and long- 
term, the effects of disasters on individuals 
with disabilities and older adults; 
(ii) identifies evidence-based practices 
that enhance inclusion of individuals with 
disabilities and older adults to participate 
in and lead preparation for disasters at 
Federal, State, tribal, and local levels; 
(iii) leads to the creation of strategies 
and procedures to implement community 
level practices that decrease deaths, inju-
ries, and harm resulting from disasters to 
individuals with disabilities and older 
adults; 
(iv) contributes to the protection of 
the rights of individuals with disabilities 
and older adults to be free from discrimi-
nation on the basis of disability or age in 
programs and activities, and self-deter-
mination of those individuals and adults, 
while also promoting their safety and well- 
being during and following disasters; 
(v) contributes to the development of 
Federal, State, tribal, and local policies 
that enhance collaboration among govern-
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mental entities, VOADs, and other non-
governmental entities to improve the inclu-
sion of individuals with disabilities and 
older adults in preparation for, response 
to, recovery from, and mitigation of disas-
ters; and 
(vi) contributes to other efforts, as de-
termined by the Secretary, to advance the 
purposes of this section. 
(2) AMOUNT, QUANTITY, AND DURATION.—In 
awarding grants or entering into contracts or coop-
erative agreements under this section, the Secretary 
shall— 
(A) to the extent practicable, ensure that 
each such grant, contract, or cooperative agree-
ment is for an amount that is not less than 
$500,000 and not more than $2,000,000; 
(B) award or enter into not less than 4 
grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements; 
and 
(C) ensure that each such grant, contract, 
or cooperative agreement is for a period of not 
less than 3 years and not more than 5 years. 
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SEC. 8. NATIONAL COMMISSION ON DISABILITY RIGHTS 
AND DISASTERS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL COMMISSION ON 
DISABILITY RIGHTS AND DISASTERS.—There is estab-
lished the National Commission on Disability Rights and 
Disasters (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Commis-
sion’’). 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) TOTAL NUMBER OF MEMBERS.—The Com-
mission shall include not more than 36 members. 
(2) APPOINTMENT.—The members described in 
subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (3) shall 
be appointed by the Secretary, after consultation 
with the Secretary of Homeland Security. 
(3) MEMBERS
OF
THE
COMMISSION.—The 
Commission members shall include— 
(A) 11 members, representing the dis-
ability community and reflecting the diverse 
characteristics of its members, who shall— 
(i) represent individuals with disabil-
ities with a wide variety of disabilities and 
disaster experiences; 
(ii) be geographically diverse; 
(iii) be ethnically and racially diverse; 
(iv) be of diverse ages, and include 
older adults; 
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(v) represent both genders, and in-
clude members that represent a variety of 
sexual orientations and gender identities; 
(vi) include veterans; and 
(vii) be linguistically diverse; 
(B) 1 representative from each of— 
(i) a coastal State emergency manage-
ment agency with an employee in a posi-
tion with established duties relating to in-
tegration of individuals with disabilities or 
to addressing access and functional needs; 
(ii) a noncoastal State emergency 
management agency with an employee in a 
position described in clause (i); 
(iii) a tribal emergency management 
agency with an employee in a position de-
scribed in clause (i); 
(iv) a territorial emergency manage-
ment agency with an employee in a posi-
tion described in clause (i); 
(v) a nongovernmental organization 
providing disaster preparedness and re-
sponse services; 
(vi) a local urban disaster manage-
ment entity, which representative has dis-
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ability inclusive emergency management 
experience; 
(vii) a local rural disaster manage-
ment entity, which representative has dis-
ability inclusive emergency management 
experience; 
(viii) a local disability organization 
with a cross-disability focus; 
(ix) a State disability organization 
with a cross-disability focus; 
(x) a national disability organization 
with a cross-disability focus; 
(xi) a national older adults organiza-
tion; 
(xii) the Council of the Inspectors 
General on Integrity and Efficiency; 
(xiii) a low-income housing organiza-
tion, who has expertise in the civil rights 
of disaster-affected covered individuals; 
and 
(xiv) a representative of a legal serv-
ices agency with expertise in the civil 
rights of disaster-affected covered individ-
uals; and 
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(C) executive branch representatives con-
sisting of— 
(i) the Secretary of Homeland Secu-
rity; 
(ii) the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services; 
(iii) the Secretary of Housing and 
Urban Development; 
(iv) the Administrator of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency; 
(v) the Assistant Attorney General for 
Civil Rights of the Department of Justice; 
(vi) the Chief of the Disability Rights 
Section of the Civil Rights Division of the 
Department of Justice; 
(vii) the Officer for Civil Rights and 
Civil Liberties of the Department of 
Homeland Security; 
(viii) the Assistant Secretary for Pre-
paredness and Response of the Depart-
ment of Health and Human Services; 
(ix) the Chairperson of the National 
Council on Disability; 
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(x) the Chairperson of the Architec-
tural and Transportation Barriers Compli-
ance Board; and 
(xi) the Director of the Office of 
Emergency Management of the Veterans 
Health Administration of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs. 
(4) TIMING.—The Secretary shall appoint the 
members of the Commission described in subpara-
graphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (3) not later than 
60 days after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(5) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT.—A member of 
the Commission shall be appointed for the life of the 
Commission. Any vacancy in the Commission shall 
not affect the powers of the Commission, and shall 
be filled in the same manner as the original appoint-
ment. 
(c) CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.—The 
members of the Commission shall select a Chairperson and 
Vice Chairperson from among the members of the Com-
mission. Both the Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson 
shall have extensive disability inclusive disaster manage-
ment experience and at least one shall be an individual 
with a disability. 
(d) MEETINGS.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall meet 
at the call of the Chairperson, but not fewer than 12 
times before submitting the final report described in 
subsection (e)(2). 
(2) FIRST MEETING.—Not later than 60 days 
after the date on which all members of the Commis-
sion described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of sub-
section (b)(3) have been appointed, the Commission 
shall hold the Commission’s first meeting. 
(e) DUTIES.— 
(1) STUDIES.—The Commission shall— 
(A) study— 
(i) by conducting a review of, funding 
used by Federal agencies for inclusion of 
covered individuals in preparation for, re-
sponse to, recovery from, and mitigation 
of, disasters; 
(ii) by conducting a review of, per-
formance of VOADs and other nongovern-
mental organizations funded to lead pre-
paredness for, response to, recovery from, 
and mitigation of, disasters; 
(iii) by conducting an analysis of, the 
displacement, injuries, and deaths of indi-
viduals with chronic health conditions and 
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covered individuals throughout the period 
of disaster response and recovery for disas-
ters— 
(I) for which 1 or more Federal 
agencies used or made available Fed-
eral funds to assist in preparing for, 
responding to, recovering from, or 
mitigating a disaster; and 
(II) that occurred not earlier 
than January 2012 and not later than 
the date of enactment of this Act; 
(iv) by conducting an analysis of, pro-
tections and violations of civil rights of 
covered individuals in national, State, trib-
al, territorial, and local disaster prepara-
tion, response, recovery, and mitigation for 
the disasters described in clause (iii); 
(v) the supports and resources avail-
able to localities from Federal, State, tribal 
and territorial disaster response agencies 
to ensure inclusion of covered individuals 
throughout disaster preparation, response, 
recovery, and mitigation; 
(vi) the supports and resources avail-
able to localities from Federal and State 
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throughout all disaster mitigation and dis-
aster resilience initiatives; and 
(viii) development of initiatives to in-
crease new and transferred technology and 
innovations to overcome notification, evac-
uation, health maintenance, and other bar-
riers to health, safety, and independence 
for covered individuals before, during, and 
after disasters. 
(2) REPORTS.— 
(A) INTERIM AND FINAL REPORTS.—The 
Commission shall prepare and submit to the 
Secretary and the committees referred to in 
subparagraph (C)— 
(i) 2 interim reports that summarize 
the progress of the Commission, along with 
any interim findings, conclusions, and rec-
ommendations for the Secretary resulting 
from the studies described in paragraph 
(1); and 
(ii) a final report that states final 
findings, conclusions, and recommenda-
tions for the Secretary resulting from the 
studies described in paragraph (1). 
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(B) PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION.—The 
reports shall be prepared and submitted— 
(i) in the case of the interim reports, 
not later than 1 and 2 years after the date 
on which the Secretary makes the appoint-
ments required in subsection (b)(4); and 
(ii) in the case of the final report, not 
later than 3 years after the date on which 
the Secretary makes the appointments re-
quired in subsection (b)(4). 
(C) COMMITTEES.—The committees re-
ferred to in this subparagraph are the Commit-
tees on Homeland Security and Governmental 
Affairs and on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions of the Senate and the Committees on 
Energy and Commerce, on Transportation and 
Infrastructure, and on Education and Labor of 
the House of Representatives, and any other 
relevant committees of the House of Represent-
atives and Senate with jurisdiction over matters 
affecting disaster-affected covered individuals. 
(3) PLANS.— 
(A) PLAN FOR PREPARATION, RESPONSE, 
RECOVERY, AND MITIGATION EFFORTS.—Using 
the findings, conclusions, and recommendations 
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contained in the Commission reports described 
in paragraph (2), the Commission shall create 
a plan, with recommended goals, objectives, 
timelines, and criteria for each of the Federal 
agencies represented by representatives speci-
fied in subsection (b)(3)(C) to ensure individ-
uals with disabilities, older adults, and individ-
uals with access and functional needs are in-
cluded in preparation, response, recovery, and 
mitigation efforts by the agencies. 
(B) PLAN FOR ADVISORY ENTITY.—Using 
the information, findings, and conclusions con-
tained in the Commission reports, the Commis-
sion will create a plan with recommendations to 
either continue the Commission or to create an 
ongoing new entity— 
(i) to advise the Federal agencies rep-
resented by representatives specified in 
subsection (b)(3)(C) regarding regulations 
and activities to ensure the inclusion of in-
dividuals with disabilities, older adults, and 
individuals with access and functional 
needs in disaster preparedness, response, 
recovery, and mitigation; and 
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(ii) to recommend to Congress legisla-
tion to address the needs of individuals 
with disabilities, older adults, and individ-
uals with access and functional needs dur-
ing disaster preparedness, response, recov-
ery, and mitigation. 
(C) SUBMISSION.—The Commission shall 
submit the plans created under subparagraphs 
(A) and (B) to the Secretary not later than 3 
years after the date on which the Secretary 
makes the appointments referred to in sub-
section (b)(4). 
(f) POWERS OF COMMISSION.— 
(1) HEARINGS.—The Commission may hold 
such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, 
take such testimony, and receive such evidence as 
the Commission considers advisable to carry out this 
section. 
(2) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may 
secure directly from any Federal department or 
agency such information as the Commission 
considers necessary to carry out this section. 
(B) FURNISHING
INFORMATION.—On re-
quest of the Chairperson of the Commission, 
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the head of the department or agency shall fur-
nish the information to the Commission. 
(3) POSTAL SERVICES.—The Commission may 
use the United States mails in the same manner and 
under the same conditions as other departments and 
agencies of the Federal Government. 
(g) COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.— 
(1) COMPENSATION.— 
(A) 
NONGOVERNMENTAL
MEMBERS.— 
Each member of the Commission who is not de-
scribed in subparagraph (B) shall receive a sti-
pend of $10,000 for the duration of the period 
in which the member is engaged in the perform-
ance of the duties of the Commission. 
(B) GOVERNMENTAL MEMBERS.—A mem-
ber of the Commission who is an officer or em-
ployee of the United States shall serve without 
compensation in addition to that received for 
service as an officer or employee of the United 
States. 
(2) TRAVEL
EXPENSES.—A member of the 
Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, includ-
ing per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates author-
ized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of 
chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while 
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away from their home or regular places of business 
in the performance of services for the Commission. 
(3) STAFF.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 
designate such personnel as may be necessary 
to enable the Commission to perform and con-
clude its duties as described in subsection (e), 
including the preparation and submission of re-
ports as described in subsection (e)(2). 
(B) DETAIL
OF
GOVERNMENT
EMPLOY-
EES.—Any Federal Government employee may 
be detailed to the Commission without reim-
bursement, and such detail shall be without 
interruption of loss of civil service status or 
privilege. 
(4) FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, AND 
SERVICES.—The Secretary shall make available to 
the Commission, under such arrangements as may 
be appropriate, necessary facilities, equipment, sup-
plies, and services. 
(h) TERMINATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall termi-
nate on the day after the date on which the Commis-
sion submits the final report. 
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(2) RECOMMENDATION.—Not later than 120 
days prior to the expected termination of the Com-
mission under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
submit to Congress a recommendation, using the in-
formation in the report created by the Commission 
under subsection (e)(3)(B), on whether the period in 
which Commission exists and carries out its duties 
should be extended. 
(i) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$100,000 for fiscal year 2021, and $100,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2022 through 2025. 
SEC. 9. REVIEW OF SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS RELATED 
TO DISASTERS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DIS-
ABILITIES AND OLDER ADULTS. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) CHIEF OF THE DISABILITY RIGHTS SEC-
TION.—The term ‘‘Chief of the Disability Rights 
Section’’ means the Chief of the Disability Rights 
Section of the Civil Rights Division of the Depart-
ment of Justice. 
(2) 
COMMITTEE.—The 
term 
‘‘Committee’’ 
means the advisory committee established under 
subsection (b). 
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(3) COVERED COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS.—The 
term ‘‘covered committee of Congress’’ means— 
(A) the Committee on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions and the Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 
of the Senate; and 
(B) the Committee on Education and 
Labor, the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure, and the Committee on Energy 
and Commerce of the House of Representatives. 
(4) COVERED SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT.—The 
term ‘‘covered settlement agreement’’ means a set-
tlement agreement— 
(A) entered into by the United States dur-
ing the period beginning on January 1, 2005, 
and ending on December 31, 2019; and 
(B) that relates to a potential violation of 
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 
et seq.) or the Americans with Disabilities Act 
of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) in connec-
tion with the preparation for, response to, re-
covery from, or mitigation of a disaster. 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMITTEE.—There is es-
tablished an advisory committee to review covered settle-
ment agreements. 
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(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney Gen-
eral shall appoint the members of the Committee, 
which shall include— 
(A) employees of the Department of Jus-
tice; and 
(B) not less than 3 disability rights advo-
cates who— 
(i) are not employees of the Federal 
Government; 
(ii) are individuals with disabilities; 
and 
(iii) have disability inclusive emer-
gency management experience. 
(2) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT; VACANCIES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—A member of the Com-
mittee shall be appointed for the life of the 
Commission. 
(B) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy in the 
Committee— 
(i) shall not affect the powers of the 
Committee; and 
(ii) shall be filled in the same manner 
as the original appointment. 
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(3) CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.— 
The members of the Committee shall elect a Chair-
person and a Vice Chairperson from among the 
members, not less than 1 of whom shall be a mem-
ber appointed under paragraph (1)(B). 
(4) MEETINGS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Committee shall 
meet at the call of the Chairperson. 
(B) QUORUM.—A majority of the members 
of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, but 
a lesser number of members may hold hearings. 
(d) DUTIES.—The Committee shall— 
(1) conduct a review of each covered settlement 
agreement; 
(2) review annual reports and recommendations 
provided to each covered committee of Congress re-
lating to addressing the needs of covered individuals 
in the preparation for, response to, recovery from, or 
mitigation of a disaster; 
(3) not later than 1 year after the date of en-
actment of this Act, submit a report containing the 
findings and recommendations of the Committee 
to— 
(A) each covered committee of Congress; 
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(B) any other of Congress with jurisdiction 
over matters relating to addressing the needs of 
covered individuals in the preparation for, re-
sponse to, recovery from, or mitigation of a dis-
aster; 
(C) the Attorney General; 
(D) the Secretary of Education; 
(E) the Secretary of Homeland Security; 
(F) the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services; and 
(G) the President; and 
(4) provide the comments and recommendations 
described in section 10(b)(2). 
(e) POWERS OF COMMITTEE.— 
(1) HEARINGS.—The Committee may hold such 
hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take 
such testimony, and receive such evidence as the 
Committee considers advisable to carry out this sec-
tion. 
(2) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Committee may 
secure directly from any Federal department or 
agency such information as the Committee con-
siders necessary to carry out this section. 
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(B) FURNISHING
INFORMATION.—On re-
quest of the Chairperson of the Committee, the 
head of the department or agency shall furnish 
the information to the Committee. 
(C) DISABILITY
RIGHTS
SECTION.—The 
Chief of the Disability Rights Section shall sub-
mit to the Committee a report on the oversight 
of covered settlement agreements a sufficient 
period of time before the date specified in sub-
section (d)(3) to allow the Committee to review 
the report and include the report of the Chief 
of the Disability Rights Section in the report of 
the Committee under subsection (d)(3). 
(3) POSTAL
SERVICES.—The Committee may 
use the United States mails in the same manner and 
under the same conditions as other departments and 
agencies of the Federal Government. 
(f) COMMITTEE PERSONNEL MATTERS.— 
(1) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—A member of the Com-
mittee who is not an officer or employee of the 
Federal Government shall be compensated at a 
rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual 
rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the 
Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 
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5, United States Code, for each day (including 
travel time) during which the member is en-
gaged in the performance of the duties of the 
Committee. 
(B) FEDERAL
MEMBERS.—A member of 
the Committee who is an officer or employee of 
the United States shall serve without compensa-
tion in addition to that received for service as 
an officer or employee of the United States. 
(2) TRAVEL
EXPENSES.—A member of the 
Committee shall be allowed travel expenses, includ-
ing per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates author-
ized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of 
chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while 
away from their home or regular places of business 
in the performance of services for the Committee. 
(3) STAFF.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Chairperson of the 
Committee may, without regard to the civil 
service laws (including regulations), appoint 
and terminate an executive director and such 
other additional personnel as may be necessary 
to enable the Committee to perform the duties 
of the Committee, except that the employment 
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of an executive director shall be subject to con-
firmation by the Committee. 
(B) COMPENSATION.—The Chairperson of 
the Committee may fix the compensation of the 
executive director and other personnel without 
regard to chapter 51 and subchapter III of 
chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, relat-
ing to classification of positions and General 
Schedule pay rates, except that the rate of pay 
for the executive director and other personnel 
may not exceed the rate payable for level V of 
the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of 
that title. 
(4) DETAIL
OF
GOVERNMENT
EMPLOYEES.— 
Any Federal Government employee may be detailed 
to the Committee without reimbursement, and such 
detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil 
service status or privilege. 
(5) PROCUREMENT OF TEMPORARY AND INTER-
MITTENT SERVICES.—The Chairperson of the Com-
mittee may procure temporary and intermittent serv-
ices under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States 
Code, at rates for individuals which do not exceed 
the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay 
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prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule 
under section 5316 of that title. 
(g) TERMINATION OF COMMITTEE.—The Committee 
shall terminate 90 days after the date on which the Com-
mittee submits the report required under subsection 
(d)(3). 
(h) REPORTS BY DISABILITY RIGHTS SECTION.—On 
and after the date on which the Committee submits the 
report required under subsection (d)(3), the Chief of the 
Disability Rights Section shall publish an annual report 
on the oversight of settlement agreements relating to dis-
aster preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation ac-
tivities. 
SEC. 10. GAO REPORT ON PAST USE OF DISASTER FUNDS. 
(a) INVESTIGATION.—Not later than 60 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall begin to conduct an investiga-
tion of whether, on or after January 1, 2005, Federal 
agencies have complied with the Americans with Disabil-
ities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), and the Reha-
bilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.), in expend-
ing Federal funds to prepare for, respond to, recover from, 
or mitigate disasters, including whether and, if so, how 
such funds were used to ensure accessibility to services 
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and supports for individuals with disabilities and older 
adults. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller 
General shall, in accordance with paragraph (2), 
issue a report on the investigation conducted under 
subsection (a). 
(2) REVIEW.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Prior to issuing the re-
port under paragraph (1), the Comptroller Gen-
eral shall obtain comments and recommenda-
tions on a draft version of the report, including 
the recommendations described in subparagraph 
(B), from the National Commission on Dis-
ability Rights and Disasters established under 
section 8 (referred to in this paragraph as the 
‘‘Commission’’), and any other agency deter-
mined appropriate by the Secretary. 
(B) COMMISSION
RECOMMENDATIONS
ON 
ADDITIONAL SOURCES.—The recommendations 
obtained under subparagraph (A) shall include 
recommendations from the Commission regard-
ing additional sources the Comptroller General 
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may interview for purposes of the investigation 
under subsection (a). 
Æ 
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