Disaster Assistance Simplification Act

Bill: 117-s-4599
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Introduced: 2022-07-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency communications systems
Emergency planning and evacuation
First responders and emergency personnel
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Intergovernmental relations
Internet, web applications, social media
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2022-07-21
text: 

Disaster Assistance Simplification Act

 
This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a web-based, interagency electronic information system to be known as 
DisasterAssistance.gov
 to provide for a universal disaster application across federal agencies.
 
Specifically, such system shall
 
 
 facilitate a consolidated application for any form of disaster assistance provided by a disaster assistance agency; 
 
 carry out the purposes of disaster assistance programs swiftly, efficiently, equitably, and in accordance with specified laws and privacy and data protections; and 
 
 detect, prevent, and investigate waste, fraud, abuse, or discrimination in the administration of disaster assistance programs. 
 
 
DisasterAssistance.gov shall permit (1) applicants to receive status updates and update disaster assistance information throughout their recovery, and (2) the distribution of additional recovery resource information to survivors that may be available in a disaster stricken jurisdiction. Further, it shall provide disaster survivors with information and documentation on applications.
 
FEMA shall facilitate the collection of disaster assistance information into DisasterAssistance.gov only after (1) it certifies that the website substantially complies with the data security standards and best practices of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, (2) the Department of Homeland Security publishes a privacy impact assessment, and (3) FEMA publishes standard rules of behavior for disaster assistance agencies and personnel to protect information from improper disclosure.
 
FEMA may certify a federal agency as a disaster assistance agency after posting an agreement that contains the detailed terms of the agreement.

action_date: 2022-09-27
text: 

Disaster Assistance Simplification Act

 
This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a web-based, interagency electronic information system to be known as 
DisasterAssistance.gov
 to provide for a universal disaster application across federal agencies.
 
Specifically, such system shall
 
 
 facilitate a consolidated application for any form of disaster assistance provided by a disaster assistance agency; 
 
 carry out the purposes of disaster assistance programs swiftly, efficiently, equitably, and in accordance with specified laws and privacy and data protections; and 
 
support the detection, prevention, and investigation of waste, fraud, abuse, or discrimination in the administration of disaster assistance programs. 
 
 
DisasterAssistance.gov shall permit (1) applicants to receive status updates and update disaster assistance information throughout their recovery, and (2) the distribution of additional recovery resource information to survivors that may be available in a disaster stricken jurisdiction. Further, it shall provide disaster survivors with information and documentation on applications.
 
FEMA shall facilitate the collection of disaster assistance information into DisasterAssistance.gov only after (1) it certifies that the website substantially complies with specified data security standards and any other applicable federal information security policy, (2) the Department of Homeland Security publishes a privacy impact assessment, and (3) FEMA publishes standard rules of behavior for disaster assistance agencies and personnel to protect information from improper disclosure.
 
FEMA may certify a federal agency as a disaster assistance agency after posting an agreement that contains the detailed terms of the agreement.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-09-27
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 505.
action_date: 2022-09-27
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 117-163.
action_date: 2022-09-27
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 117-163.
action_date: 2022-08-03
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2022-07-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2022-07-21
text: Introduced in Senate