Kids in Disasters Well-being, Safety, and Health Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1970
Sponsor: Sen. Dodd, Christopher J. [D-CT]
Introduced: 2007-08-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Families
Subjects: Child health
Child welfare
Congress
Congressional investigations
Congressional reorganization
Crime and Law Enforcement
Day care
Department of Health and Human Services
Disaster relief
Emergency Management
Executive reorganization
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Health
Housing and Community Development
Internet
Juvenile delinquency
Science, Technology, Communications
Social Welfare
Web sites

Summary:
action_date: 2007-08-02
text: 
Addressing the Disaster Needs of Children Act of 2007 - Establishes in the legislative branch the National Commission on Children and Disasters, which shall: (1) assess facts and causes relating to the needs of children before, during, and after all hazards, disasters, and emergencies, including child health and welfare, housing, and juvenile justice needs and emergency mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery activities; (2) evaluate relevant laws and past events regarding the mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, coordination, and service delivery policies of federal, state, and local governments and nongovernmental entities relative to addressing such needs; and (3) report to the President and Congress.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a National Resource Center on Children and Disasters, which shall: (1) establish a clearinghouse for information and resources on issues relating to such needs; and (2) develop and maintain a website and related systems for disseminating information on such issues.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) collaborate with any executive department and specified parties responsible for policies and regulations relevant to such needs; and (2) enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretaries of Homeland Security, Education, Housing and Urban Development, and Transportation and the Attorney General to collaborate on the functions of the Center.

action_date: 2007-11-15
text: 
Kids in Disasters Well-being, Safety, and Health Act of 2007 - Establishes the National Commission on Children and Disasters, which shall: (1) conduct a comprehensive study that assesses childrens' needs as they relate to preparation for, response to, and recovery from all hazards, including major disasters and emergencies; (2) identify, review, and evaluate existing laws, regulations, policies, and programs relevant to such needs; (3) identify, review, and evaluate the lessons learned from past disasters relative to addressing such needs; and (4) report to the President and Congress on its findings and recommendations to address such needs, including regarding the need for a national resource center on children and disasters, coordination of resources and services, administrative actions, policies, regulations, and legislative changes.

Sets forth provisions regarding the Commission's powers, staffing, reporting, and record-keeping requirements, and termination. Authorizes appropriations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-11-15
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 508.
action_date: 2007-11-15
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Dodd with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. Without written report.
action_date: 2007-11-15
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Dodd with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. Without written report.
action_date: 2007-11-14
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2007-08-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2007-08-02
text: Introduced in Senate