I 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4938 
To ensure that older adults and individuals with disabilities are prepared 
for disasters, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
AUGUST 6, 2021 
Mr. LANGEVIN (for himself, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. PANETTA, Mr. 
SIRES, Ms. NORTON, Mr. KILMER, Mr. FITZPATRICK, and Mr. BOWMAN) 
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on 
Education and Labor, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be sub-
sequently 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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holders, and decisionmakers in the preparation (in-
cluding planning), response, recovery, and mitigation 
phases of disasters; 
(6) local, State (including territorial), tribal, 
and Federal disaster planning must include robust 
representation of individuals with disabilities and 
older adults; and 
(7) individuals with disabilities and older adults 
must be included in the evaluation of governmental, 
VOAD, and other nongovernmental preparation (in-
cluding planning), response, recovery, and mitigation 
of disasters. 
SEC. 3. PURPOSES. 
The purposes of this Act are to— 
(1) improve the inclusion of individuals with 
disabilities and older adults in the preparation for, 
response to, recovery from, and mitigation of disas-
ters; 
(2) ensure the rights of individuals with disabil-
ities and older adults, to be free from discrimination 
in programs and activities, are included during all 
phases of disaster preparation, response, recovery, 
and mitigation; 
(3) ensure compliance with the Americans with 
Disabilities Act of 1990, the Rehabilitation Act of 
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1973, and other disability laws during preparation 
for, response to, recovery from, and mitigation of 
disasters; 
(4) improve coordination, among individuals 
with disabilities and older adults, government agen-
cies, centers for independent living, VOADs, and 
other nongovernmental organizations, including or-
ganizations that represent and are comprised of cov-
ered individuals; in preparing (including planning) 
for, responding to, recovery from, and mitigation of 
disasters; and 
(5) improve outcomes for all individuals, includ-
ing individuals with disabilities and older adults, who 
are affected by disasters, and increase community 
resilience in responding to disasters. 
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) ACCESS
AND
FUNCTIONAL
NEEDS.—The 
term ‘‘access and functional needs’’, used with re-
spect to an individual, means an individual with 
needs such as— 
(A) an individual with a disability; 
(B) an older adult; 
(C) an individual with limited English pro-
ficiency; 
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(D) an individual with limited access to 
transportation that would enable the individual 
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’’ or 
‘‘rights’’, used with respect to an individual, means 
the existing legal rights of an individual to be free 
from discrimination on the basis of disability or age 
in programs and activities. 
(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. 
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(5) DISABILITY INCLUSIVE EMERGENCY MAN-
AGEMENT EXPERIENCE.—The term ‘‘disability inclu-
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 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 an 
emergency or major disaster (as such terms are de-
fined under section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford 
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Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5122)) that results in severe property dam-
age, 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, including individuals with disabil-
ities or older adults, who are excessively adversely 
affected 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). 
(10) OLDER ADULT.—The term ‘‘older adult’’ 
means a resident who is age 50 or older. 
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(11) RESIDENT.—The term ‘‘resident’’ means a 
resident of a State or area governed by an Indian 
Tribal Government (as such term is defined in sec-
tion 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122)). 
(12) 
SECRETARY.—The 
term 
‘‘Secretary’’ 
means the Secretary of Health and Human Services. 
(13) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means any of 
the 50 States, Indian Tribal Government, the Dis-
trict of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, 
American Samoa, and the Commonwealth 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) VOLUNTARY
AGENCY
ACTIVE
IN
DIS-
ASTER.—The term ‘‘Voluntary Agency Active in Dis-
aster’’ or ‘‘VOAD’’ means a nongovernmental orga-
nization assisting in disaster preparation, recovery, 
response, or mitigation. 
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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— 
(1) by striking ‘‘Funds made available’’ and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 
‘‘(1) ACCESS AND FUNCTIONAL NEEDS.—The 
term ‘access and functional needs’, used with respect 
to an individual, means an individual with needs 
such as— 
‘‘(A) an individual with a disability; 
‘‘(B) an older adult; 
‘‘(C) an individual with limited English 
proficiency; 
‘‘(D) an individual with limited access to 
transportation that would enable the individual 
to prepare for, respond to, or recover from, and 
mitigate a disaster; or 
‘‘(E) an individual with limited access to 
the financial resources that would enable the in-
dividual to prepare for, respond to, recover 
from, and mitigate a disaster. 
‘‘(2) COVERED RECIPIENT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘covered re-
cipient’ means a direct or indirect recipient of 
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funds made available under this title for a cov-
ered use of funds; and 
‘‘(B) EXCLUSION.—The term ‘covered re-
cipient’ does not include individuals or house-
holds. 
‘‘(3) COVERED USE OF FUNDS.—The term ‘cov-
ered use of funds’ means the use of funds for the 
preparation for, response to, recovery from, or miti-
gation of hazards. 
‘‘(4) INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY.— 
‘‘(A) SINGLE.—The term ‘individual with a 
disability’ means an individual with a disability, 
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). 
‘‘(5) OLDER
ADULT.—The term ‘older adult’ 
means a resident who is age 50 or older. 
‘‘(6) 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– 
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2009), or any successor standards, of the American 
National Standards Institutes. 
‘‘(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 
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; 
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‘‘(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 
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; 
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‘‘(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, 
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; 
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(2) assist Federal, State, local, tribal, and terri-
torial disaster relief agencies in the coordination and 
integration of Federal, State (including territorial), 
tribal, and local services and programs to serve cov-
ered individuals in the least restrictive environment 
appropriate 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; 
(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-
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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, or a non-
governmental 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 
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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)). 
(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 
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(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.— 
(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 $1,000,000 and not 
more than $3,000,000. 
(2) DISTRIBUTION.—The Secretary shall award 
not fewer than two of the grants in each of the 10 
Federal regions of the Department of Health and 
Human Services. At least one grant in each region 
shall be awarded to an eligible entity exclusively to 
conduct training and technical assistance. 
(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-
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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-
abilities in preparing for, responding to, recov-
ering from, and mitigating disasters. 
(B) A description of the applicant’s dem-
onstrated experience in providing training, in-
formation, and support to older adults in pre-
paring for, responding to, recovering from, and 
mitigating disasters. 
(C) A description of the applicant’s dem-
onstrated experience in working with Federal, 
State, local, tribal, and territorial government 
agencies in preparing for, responding to, recov-
ering from, and mitigating disasters. 
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(D) A description of the steps the appli-
cant, acting through the center, will take to tar-
get services to low-income individuals and indi-
viduals identified as disproportionately affected 
in disasters, including those individuals at 
greatest risk of institutionalization. 
(E) An assurance that the applicant, act-
ing through the center, will— 
(i) work with State, local, tribal, and 
territorial disaster relief, public health, and 
social service agencies to determine the 
best means for delivery of services to ad-
dress the needs of covered individuals; 
(ii) assist in establishing State, local, 
tribal, and territorial disaster plans to ad-
dress the needs of both rural and urban 
populations; 
(iii) in carrying out activities under 
the grant, conduct sufficient outreach to 
centers for independent living, VOADs and 
other nongovernmental organizations, in-
cluding organizations that represent and 
are comprised of covered individuals; 
(iv) include covered individuals in a 
meaningful way in the development and 
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execution of activities carried out under 
the grant; and 
(v) communicate information on the 
programs and systems developed under the 
grant, in accessible formats and the lan-
guages, including American Sign Lan-
guage, 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; 
(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, local, tribal, and territorial agen-
cies and covered individual advocacy organizations; 
(4) demonstrate ability to provide training that 
uses experiential approaches and does not rely on 
simulations; 
(5) demonstrate expertise preventing discrimi-
nation against covered individuals in programs and 
provide activities and specific plans for achieving 
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and maintaining physical access, program access, 
and effective communication for covered individuals 
throughout all grant activities; 
(6) demonstrate that the eligible entity involved 
will use measurable collaboration and partnership 
strategies with State, local, tribal, and territorial 
agencies, centers for independent living, VOADs, 
and other nongovernmental organizations, including 
organizations that represent and are comprised of 
covered individuals; 
(7) demonstrate that the eligible entity will use 
measurable disaster outcomes strategies in carrying 
out grant activities; 
(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 
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(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 
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, 
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and support to State, local, tribal, and territorial 
disaster relief, public health, and social service agen-
cies and stakeholder groups, in order to ensure that, 
in carrying out disaster management planning and 
programs, the agencies and groups address the in-
clusion, 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 in programs and activities; 
(B) training staff of State, local, tribal, 
and territorial disaster, public health, and social 
service agencies on the needs and rights of cov-
ered individuals, preferably through training by 
experts who are individuals with disabilities and 
experts who are older adults; 
(C) creating partnerships between eligible 
entities, State, local, tribal, and territorial dis-
aster relief, public health, and social service 
agencies, 
centers 
for 
independent 
living, 
VOADs, and other nongovernmental organiza-
tions, including organizations that represent 
and are comprised of covered individuals; 
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(D) assisting in the development and im-
plementation, in partnership with State, local, 
tribal, and territorial disaster relief, public 
health, and social service agencies, of plans that 
will provide for a continuum of services to re-
move barriers to full engagement for covered in-
dividuals during 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 
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 
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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; 
(ii) create inclusive disaster prepared-
ness, recovery, response, and mitigation 
strategies for State, local, tribal, and terri-
torial, centers for independent living, 
VOADs, and other nongovernmental orga-
nizations, including organizations that rep-
resent and are comprised of covered indi-
viduals; 
(iii) preserve community living options 
and access to needed services and supports 
for covered individuals during post-disaster 
periods; and 
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(iv) conduct longitudinal studies that 
create and maintain datasets to assist in 
the understanding of State, local, tribal, 
and territorial policies designed to reduce 
the negative impact of disasters on covered 
individuals and protect the rights of cov-
ered individuals to be free from discrimina-
tion in programs 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-
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 in programs and activities. 
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(i) REPORTS.—Not later than January 31 of fiscal 
years 2024 and 2026, 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 2022 through 2026. 
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; 
(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; 
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(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 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 
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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 State, 
local, tribal, and territorial policies that rein-
force and promote the inclusion of individuals 
with disabilities and older adults in Federal, 
State, local, tribal, and territorial community 
preparation for disasters; and 
(C) support research that— 
(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, local, tribal, and territorial 
levels; 
(iii) leads to the creation of strategies 
and procedures to implement community 
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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 covered individuals to be free 
from discrimination in programs and ac-
tivities, and self-determination of those in-
dividuals and adults, while also promoting 
their safety and well-being during and fol-
lowing disasters; 
(v) contributes to the development of 
Federal, State, local, tribal, and territorial 
policies that enhance collaboration among 
governmental entities, centers for inde-
pendent living, VOADs, and other non-
governmental organizations, including or-
ganizations that represent and are com-
prised of covered individuals, to improve 
the inclusion of covered individuals in 
preparation for, response to, recovery from, 
and mitigation of disasters; and 
(vi) contributes to other efforts, as de-
termined by the Secretary, to advance the 
purposes of this section. 
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(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 
$1,000,000 and not more than $3,000,000; 
(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. 
SEC. 8. NATIONAL COMMISSION ON DISABILITY RIGHTS 
AND DISASTERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2811C(c) of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh–10d) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘17 members’’ 
and inserting ‘‘44 members’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2) by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(N) 11 members, representing the dis-
ability community and reflecting the diverse 
characteristics of its members, who shall— 
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‘‘(i) represent individuals with disabil-
ities with a wide variety of disabilities and 
disaster experiences, including cross-dis-
ability representation; 
‘‘(ii) be geographically diverse; 
‘‘(iii) be ethnically and racially di-
verse; 
‘‘(iv) be of diverse ages, and include 
older adults; 
‘‘(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. 
‘‘(O) Representative from each of— 
‘‘(i) a coastal State emergency man-
agement agency with an employee in a po-
sition 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); 
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‘‘(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-
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; 
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‘‘(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. 
‘‘(P) The Secretary of the Department of 
Transportation. 
‘‘(Q) The Director of Disability Policy at 
the Domestic Policy Council.’’. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$500,000 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 
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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). 
(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 December 31 of the year of enact-
ment; 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 
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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. 
(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. 
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(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. 
(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 one of whom shall be a 
member 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; 
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(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; 
(B) any other entity of Congress with ju-
risdiction over matters relating to addressing 
the needs of covered individuals in the prepara-
tion for, response to, recovery from, or mitiga-
tion of a disaster; 
(C) the Attorney General; 
(D) the Secretary of Education; 
(E) the Secretary of Homeland Security; 
(F) the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services; 
(G) the Secretary of the Department of 
Transportation; and 
(H) the President, through the Director of 
Disability Policy at the Domestic Policy Coun-
cil; 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 
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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. 
(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. 
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(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 
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.— 
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(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 
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. 
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(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 
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-
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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 
and supports for individuals with disabilities and older 
adults. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year 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), along with recommendations for re-
mediation of any misused funds identified. 
(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 Advisory Committee on 
Individuals with Disabilities and Disasters and 
any other agency determined appropriate by the 
Secretary. 
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(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 
may interview for purposes of the investigation 
under subsection (a). 
Æ 
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