I 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4249 
To provide housing and Medicaid assistance to families affected by a major 
disaster, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 3, 2017 
Mrs. MURPHY of Florida (for herself and Mr. SOTO) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and 
in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, 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 con-
cerned 
A BILL 
To provide housing and Medicaid assistance to families 
affected by a major disaster, 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 ‘‘Disaster Displacement 
Act of 2017’’. 
SEC. 2. HOUSING ASSISTANCE. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:09 Nov 06, 2017
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4249.IH
H4249
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
(1) the term ‘‘disaster housing assistance pro-
gram’’ means a program that provides direct rental 
assistance and case management services to individ-
uals and households displaced from their pre-dis-
aster primary residences— 
(A) pursuant to sections 408(b) and 426 of 
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(b), 
5189d); and 
(B) using the authorities, as may be nec-
essary, under— 
(i) section 102(b)(2) of the Homeland 
Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 112(b)(2)); 
(ii) section 306(a) of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5149(a)); and 
(iii) section 1535 of title 31, United 
States Code; and 
(2) the term ‘‘public housing agency’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 3(b)(6) of the 
United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 
1437a(b)(6)). 
(b) HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOLLOWING
A MAJOR 
DISASTER.—Except as provided in subsection (c)— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:09 Nov 06, 2017
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4249.IH
H4249
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
(1) the Secretary of Housing and Urban Devel-
opment shall provide funding for, or make tem-
porary adjustments to, assistance provided under 
section 8(o), 9(d), or 9(e) of the United States 
Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o), 
1437g(d), 1437(e)) upon request by a public housing 
agency and supported by documentation, as required 
by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Develop-
ment, that demonstrates a need for the additional 
funding or adjustment as a consequence of a major 
disaster declared by the President under section 401 
of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer-
gency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170); and 
(2) the Secretary of Agriculture shall provide 
funding for, or make temporary adjustments to, as-
sistance provided under section 504, 515, 521, or 
542 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1474, 
1485, 1490a, 1490r) upon request by a State or a 
political subdivision of a State and supported by 
documentation, as required by the Secretary of Agri-
culture, that demonstrates a need for the additional 
funding or adjustment as a consequence of a major 
disaster declared by the President under section 401 
of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer-
gency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:09 Nov 06, 2017
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4249.IH
H4249
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
(c) EXCEPTION.—With respect to a request made 
under paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) of subsection (b), 
no additional funding or temporary adjustment shall be 
provided or made under such subsection if a disaster hous-
ing assistance program is established to address the need 
for the additional funding or temporary adjustment identi-
fied in the request not later than 7 days after the date 
on which the request is made. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary to carry out this section. 
SEC. 3. DISASTER RELIEF MEDICAID FOR HURRICANE 
MARIA SURVIVORS. 
(a) AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE DISASTER RELIEF 
MEDICAID.—Notwithstanding any provision of title XIX 
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), a 
State shall, as a condition of participation in the Medicaid 
program established under such title, provide medical as-
sistance to DRM-eligible Maria Survivors (as defined in 
subsection (b)) under a State Medicaid plan during the 
DRM coverage period in accordance with the following 
provisions of this section and without submitting an 
amendment to the State Medicaid plan. Such assistance 
shall be referred to as ‘‘DRM assistance’’. 
(b) DRM-ELIGIBLE MARIA SURVIVOR DEFINED.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:09 Nov 06, 2017
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4249.IH
H4249
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
(1) IN
GENERAL.—In this section, the term 
‘‘DRM-eligible Maria Survivor’’ means a Maria Sur-
vivor whose family income (as determined under sec-
tion 1902(e)(14) (relating to modified adjusted gross 
income), subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) of this 
subsection) does not exceed the higher of— 
(A) the income eligibility standard which 
would apply to the Survivor under the Medicaid 
plan of the State in which the Survivor had a 
primary residence in a direct impact area on 
any day during the week preceding September 
17, 2017; or 
(B) the income eligibility standard that ap-
plies to the Survivor under the Medicaid plan of 
the State in which the Survivor temporarily is 
residing. 
(2) NO RESOURCES, RESIDENCY, OR CATEGOR-
ICAL
ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS.—Eligibility 
under paragraph (1) shall be determined without ap-
plication of any resources test, State residency, or 
categorical eligibility requirements. 
(3) DISREGARD
OF
UNEMPLOYMENT
INSUR-
ANCE BENEFITS.—In determining the family income 
of a Maria Survivor, the State shall disregard any 
amount received under a law of the United States or 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:09 Nov 06, 2017
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4249.IH
H4249
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
of a State which is in the nature of unemployment 
compensation by a Maria Survivor during the DRM 
coverage period. 
(4) DEFINITION OF CHILD.—For purposes of 
paragraph (1), a DRM-eligible Maria Survivor shall 
be determined to be a ‘‘child’’ in accordance with the 
definition of ‘‘child’’ under the State Medicaid plan. 
(c) ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION; NO CONTINU-
ATION OF DRM ASSISTANCE.— 
(1) STREAMLINED ELIGIBILITY PROCESS.—The 
State shall use the following streamlined procedures 
in processing applications and determining eligibility 
for DRM assistance for DRM-eligible Maria Sur-
vivors: 
(A) A common 1-page application form de-
veloped by the Secretary in consultation with 
the National Association of State Medicaid Di-
rectors. Such form shall— 
(i) require an applicant to provide an 
expected address for the duration of the 
DRM coverage period and to agree to up-
date that information if it changes during 
such period; 
(ii) include notice regarding the pen-
alties for making a fraudulent application; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:09 Nov 06, 2017
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4249.IH
H4249
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
(iii) require the applicant to assign to 
the State any rights of the applicant (or 
any other person who is a DRM-eligible 
Maria Survivor and on whose behalf the 
applicant has the legal authority to execute 
an assignment of such rights) under any 
group health plan or other third-party cov-
erage for health care; and 
(iv) require the applicant to list any 
health insurance coverage which the appli-
cant was enrolled in immediately prior to 
submitting such application. 
(B) Self-attestation by the applicant that 
the applicant— 
(i) is a DRM-eligible Maria Survivor; 
and 
(ii) if applicable, requires home and 
community-based services provided under 
such DRM assistance. 
(C) No requirement for documentation evi-
dencing the basis on which the applicant quali-
fies to be a DRM-eligible Maria Survivor or, if 
applicable, requires home and community-based 
services. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:09 Nov 06, 2017
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4249.IH
H4249
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
(D) Issuance of a DRM assistance eligi-
bility card to an applicant who completes such 
application, including the self-attestation re-
quired under subparagraph (B). Such card shall 
be valid as long as the DRM coverage period is 
in effect and shall be accompanied by notice of 
the termination date for the DRM coverage pe-
riod and, if applicable, notice that such termi-
nation date may be extended. If the Secretary 
extends the DRM coverage period, the State 
shall notify DRM-eligible Maria Survivors en-
rolled in DRM assistance of the new termi-
nation date for the DRM coverage period. 
(E) If an applicant completes the applica-
tion and presents it to a provider or facility 
participating in the State Medicaid plan that is 
qualified to make presumptive eligibility deter-
minations under such plan (which at a min-
imum shall consist of facilities identified in sec-
tion 1902(a)(55) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1396a(a)(55))) and it appears to the 
provider that the applicant is a DRM-eligible 
Maria Survivor based on the information in the 
application, the applicant will be deemed to be 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:09 Nov 06, 2017
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4249.IH
H4249
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
a DRM-eligible Maria Survivor eligible for 
DRM assistance in accordance with this section. 
(F) Continuous eligibility, without the need 
for any redetermination of eligibility, for the 
duration of the DRM coverage period. 
(2) NO CONTINUATION OF DRM ASSISTANCE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraphs (B) and (C), no DRM assistance 
shall be provided after the end of the DRM cov-
erage period. 
(B) PRESUMPTIVE
ELIGIBILITY.—In the 
case of any DRM-eligible Maria Survivor who is 
receiving DRM assistance from a State in ac-
cordance with this section and who, as of the 
end of the DRM coverage period, has an appli-
cation pending for medical assistance under the 
State Medicaid plan for periods beginning after 
the end of such period, the State shall provide 
such Survivor with a period of presumptive eli-
gibility for medical assistance under the State 
Medicaid plan (not to exceed 60 days) until a 
determination with respect to the Survivor’s ap-
plication has been made. 
(C) PREGNANT WOMEN.—In the case of a 
DRM-eligible Maria Survivor who is receiving 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:09 Nov 06, 2017
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4249.IH
H4249
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
DRM assistance from a State in accordance 
with this section and whose pregnancy ended 
during the 60-day period prior to the end of the 
DRM coverage period, or who is pregnant as of 
the end of such period, such Survivor shall con-
tinue to be eligible for DRM assistance after 
the end of the DRM coverage period, including 
(but not limited to) for all pregnancy-related 
and postpartum medical assistance available 
under the State Medicaid plan, through the end 
of the month in which the 60-day period (begin-
ning on the last day of her pregnancy) ends. 
(3) TREATMENT
OF
MARIA
SURVIVORS
PRO-
VIDED
ASSISTANCE
PRIOR
TO
DATE
OF
ENACT-
MENT.—Any Maria Survivor who is provided medical 
assistance under a State Medicaid plan in accord-
ance with guidance from the Secretary during the 
period that begins on September 17, 2017, and ends 
on the date of enactment of this Act shall be treated 
as a DRM-eligible Maria Survivor, without the need 
to file an additional application, for purposes of eli-
gibility for DRM assistance under this section. 
(d) SCOPE OF COVERAGE.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The State shall treat a 
DRM-eligible Maria Survivor as an individual eligi-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:09 Nov 06, 2017
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4249.IH
H4249
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
ble for medical assistance under the State Medicaid 
plan on the same basis for eligibility under the State 
Medicaid plan as would apply to the Survivor if the 
survivor were a permanent resident of the State in 
which the Survivor temporarily is residing. Coverage 
for such assistance shall be retroactive to items and 
services furnished on or after September 17, 2017. 
(2) CHILDREN BORN TO PREGNANT WOMEN.— 
In the case of a child born to a DRM-eligible Maria 
Survivor who is provided DRM assistance during the 
DRM coverage period, such child shall be treated as 
having been born to a pregnant woman eligible for 
medical assistance under the State Medicaid plan 
and shall be eligible for medical assistance under 
such plan in accordance with section 1902(e)(4) of 
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(e)(4)). 
The Federal medical assistance percentage applica-
ble to the State Medicaid plan shall apply to medical 
assistance provided to a child under such plan in ac-
cordance with the preceding sentence. 
(e) 
100-PERCENT
FEDERAL
MATCHING
PAY-
MENTS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Notwithstanding section 
1905(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1396d(b)), the Federal medical assistance percent-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:09 Nov 06, 2017
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4249.IH
H4249
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
age or the Federal matching rate otherwise applied 
under section 1903(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
1396b(a)) shall be 100 percent for— 
(A) providing DRM assistance to DRM-eli-
gible Maria Survivors during the DRM coverage 
period in accordance with this section; 
(B) costs directly attributable to adminis-
trative activities related to the provision of such 
DRM assistance; and 
(C) DRM assistance provided in accord-
ance with subparagraph (B) or (C) of sub-
section (c)(2) after the end of the DRM cov-
erage period. 
(2) DISREGARD OF PAYMENTS.—Payments pro-
vided to a State in accordance with this subsection 
shall be disregarded for purposes of applying sub-
sections (f) and (g) of section 1108 of the Social Se-
curity Act (42 U.S.C. 1308). 
(3) MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT.—A State that 
receives payments in accordance with this subsection 
shall provide assurances to the Secretary that the 
funds provided under this subsection will be used to 
supplement and not supplant other Federal and 
State funds used to provide medical assistance under 
the State Medicaid plan. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:09 Nov 06, 2017
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4249.IH
H4249
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
(f) VERIFICATION
OF STATUS
AS
A MARIA SUR-
VIVOR.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—A State shall make a good 
faith effort to verify the status of an individual who 
is enrolled in the State Medicaid plan as a DRM-eli-
gible Maria Survivor under the provisions of this 
section. Such effort shall not delay the determina-
tion of the eligibility of the Survivor for DRM assist-
ance under this section. 
(2) EVIDENCE OF VERIFICATION.—A State may 
satisfy the verification requirement under subpara-
graph (A) with respect to an individual by showing 
that the State providing DRM assistance obtained 
information from the Social Security Administration, 
the Internal Revenue Service, or the State Medicaid 
Agency for the State from which individual is from 
(if the individual was not a resident of such State 
on any day during the week preceding September 
17, 2017). 
(g) EXEMPTION FROM ERROR RATE PENALTIES.— 
All payments attributable to providing DRM assistance in 
accordance with this section shall be disregarded for pur-
poses of section 1903(u) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1396b(u)). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:09 Nov 06, 2017
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4249.IH
H4249
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
(h) PROVIDER PAYMENT RATES.—In the case of any 
DRM assistance provided in accordance with this section 
to a DRM-eligible Maria Survivor that is covered under 
the State Medicaid plan (as applied without regard to this 
section) the State shall pay a provider of such assistance 
the same payment rate as the State would otherwise pay 
for the assistance if the assistance were provided under 
the State Medicaid plan (or, if no such payment rate ap-
plies under the State Medicaid plan, the usual and cus-
tomary prevailing rate for the item or service for the com-
munity in which it is provided). 
(i) APPLICATION
TO INDIVIDUALS ELIGIBLE
FOR 
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.—Nothing in this section shall be 
construed as affecting any rights accorded to an individual 
who is a recipient of medical assistance under a State 
Medicaid plan who is determined to be a DRM-eligible 
Maria Survivor but the provision of DRM assistance to 
such individual shall be limited to the provision of such 
assistance in accordance with this section. 
(j) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) DIRECT IMPACT AREA.—The term ‘‘direct 
impact area’’ means an area for which a major dis-
aster has been declared by the President before Oc-
tober 1, 2017, under the Robert T. Stafford Dis-
aster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act by rea-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:09 Nov 06, 2017
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4249.IH
H4249
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
son of Hurricane Maria and which the President has 
determined warrants individual and public assistance 
from the Federal Government under such Act by 
reason of Hurricane Maria. 
(2) DRM COVERAGE PERIOD.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘DRM cov-
erage period’’ means the period beginning on 
September 17, 2017, and, subject to subpara-
graph (B), ending on such date as is deter-
mined by the Secretary, in consultation with the 
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Man-
agement Agency, but not earlier than 24 
months after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(B) SECRETARY AUTHORITY TO EXTEND 
DRM COVERAGE PERIOD.—The Secretary may 
extend the DRM coverage period for an addi-
tional 6 months. Any reference to the term 
‘‘DRM coverage period’’ in this section shall in-
clude any extension under this subparagraph. 
(3) MARIA SURVIVOR.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘Maria Sur-
vivor’’ means an individual who is described in 
subparagraph (B) or (C). 
(B) 
RESIDENTS
OF
DIRECT
IMPACT 
AREAS.—An individual who, on any day during 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:09 Nov 06, 2017
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4249.IH
H4249
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
the week preceding September 17, 2017, had a 
primary residence in a direct impact area. 
(C) TREATMENT OF CURRENT MEDICAID 
BENEFICIARIES.—Nothing in this section shall 
be construed as preventing an individual who is 
otherwise entitled to medical assistance under a 
State Medicaid plan from being treated as a 
Maria Survivor under this section. 
(D) TREATMENT
OF
HOMELESS
PER-
SONS.—For purposes of this section, in the case 
of an individual who was homeless on any day 
during the week described in subparagraph (B), 
the individual’s ‘‘residence’’ shall be deemed to 
be the place of residence as otherwise deter-
mined for such an individual under title XIX of 
the Social Security Act. 
(4) MEDICAID
PLAN.—The term ‘‘Medicaid 
plan’’ means the plan for medical assistance estab-
lished by a State under title XIX of the Social Secu-
rity Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) and includes any 
waiver of such plan that is in effect in the State dur-
ing the DRM coverage period. 
(5) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Health and Human Services. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:09 Nov 06, 2017
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4249.IH
H4249
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
(6) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ has the mean-
ing given that term for purposes of title XIX of the 
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.). 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:09 Nov 06, 2017
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H4249.IH
H4249
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS