Think Differently About Emergencies Act

Bill: 118-hr-6249
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Molinaro, Marcus J. [R-NY-19]
Introduced: 2023-11-06
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Congressional oversight

Disability and paralysis

Disaster relief and insurance

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Government Accountability Office (GAO)

Government information and archives

Government studies and investigations
Latest action: action_date: 2024-11-25
text: Became Public Law No: 118-123.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-11-06
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Think Differently About Emergencies Act</strong></p> <p>This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report to Congress regarding assistance and resources provided by FEMA to persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the families of such individuals who are impacted by major disasters.</p> <p>Specifically, FEMA must report within 120 days of this bill's enactment, describing the assistance and resources that FEMA provides to such individuals and families through states, localities, nonprofit organizations, and individuals.</p> <p>Further, FEMA and GAO must each (1) review such assistance and resources, (2) identify potential legal impediments to providing such assistance and resources, and (3) provide recommendations to Congress.</p>

action_date: 2024-02-20
action_desc: Reported to House
text: <p><strong>Think Differently About Emergencies Act</strong></p> <p>This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report to Congress regarding assistance and resources provided by FEMA to persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the families of such individuals who are impacted by major disasters.</p> <p>Specifically, FEMA must report within 120 days of this bill's enactment, describing the assistance and resources that FEMA provides to such individuals and families through states, localities, nonprofit organizations, and individuals.</p> <p>Further, FEMA and GAO must each (1) review such assistance and resources, (2) identify potential legal impediments to providing such assistance and resources, and (3) provide recommendations to Congress.</p>

action_date: 2024-11-25
action_desc: Public Law
text: <p><strong>Think Differently About Emergencies Act</strong></p><p>This act requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report to Congress regarding assistance and resources provided by FEMA to persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the families of such individuals who are impacted by major disasters.</p><p>Specifically, FEMA must report within 120 days of this act's enactment, describing the assistance and resources that FEMA provides to such individuals and families through states, localities, nonprofit organizations, and individuals.</p><p>Further, FEMA and GAO must each (1) review such assistance and resources, (2) identify potential legal impediments to providing such assistance and resources, and (3) provide recommendations to Congress.</p>

tv_txt: IB One Hundred Eighteenth Congress of the United States of America At the Second Session Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday, the third day of January, two thousand and twenty-four H. R. 6249 AN ACT To provide for a review and report on the assistance and resources that the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency provides to individuals with disabilities and the families of such individuals that are impacted by major disasters, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Think Differently About Emergencies Act . 2. Report to Congress (a) In general Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report describing the assistance and resources that the Administrator provides for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the families of such individuals who are impacted by major disasters declared under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5170 ) to the following: (1) States. (2) Localities. (3) Nonprofit organizations. (4) Directly to such individuals. (b) Contents The report under subsection (a) shall contain— (1) a description of the resources and best practices that the Administrator makes available to the entities listed in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a) that are impacted by major disasters declared under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5170 ); (2) detail the process the Administrator undertakes to train personnel and deploy such personnel into areas to coordinate with States, localities, and nonprofit organizations to provide assistance and ensure that the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the families of such individuals are met following such a disaster; (3) list the number of programs the Administrator administers which support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to prepare for and recover from such disasters, including by provide accommodation to such individuals and the families of such individuals; (4) description of outreach activities of the Administration to State, local, and nonprofit experts on addressing the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the families of such individuals impacted by such disasters; and (5) report that identifies, with respect to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the families of such individuals, areas for improvement in supporting such individuals and families to prepare for and recover from such disasters. 3. Review of assistance and resources Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States and the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall each— (1) conduct a review of assistance and resources the Administrator provides to States, localities, nonprofit organizations, and individuals to assist— (A) individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; (B) individuals with physical disabilities; and (C) the families of the individuals described in subparagraphs (A) and (B); (2) identify potential legal impediments to providing such assistance and resources; (3) provide to Congress recommendations on how the Administration can— (A) improve such assistance and resources; (B) enhance coordination with States, localities, nonprofit organizations in carrying out such assistance and providing such resources; and (C) streamline the application process and delivery of assistance and resources to individuals described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (1); and (4) provide to Congress recommendations on any legislative reform necessary to improve such assistance and resources.

Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.

tv_txt: II Calendar No. 441 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6249 [Report No. 118–195] IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 12, 2024 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs July 23, 2024 Reported by Mr. Peters , without amendment AN ACT To provide for a review and report on the assistance and resources that the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency provides to individuals with disabilities and the families of such individuals that are impacted by major disasters, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Think Differently About Emergencies Act . 2. Report to Congress (a) In general Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report describing the assistance and resources that the Administrator provides for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the families of such individuals who are impacted by major disasters declared under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5170 ) to the following: (1) States. (2) Localities. (3) Nonprofit organizations. (4) Directly to such individuals. (b) Contents The report under subsection (a) shall contain— (1) a description of the resources and best practices that the Administrator makes available to the entities listed in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a) that are impacted by major disasters declared under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5170 ); (2) detail the process the Administrator undertakes to train personnel and deploy such personnel into areas to coordinate with States, localities, and nonprofit organizations to provide assistance and ensure that the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the families of such individuals are met following such a disaster; (3) list the number of programs the Administrator administers which support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to prepare for and recover from such disasters, including by provide accommodation to such individuals and the families of such individuals; (4) description of outreach activities of the Administration to State, local, and nonprofit experts on addressing the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the families of such individuals impacted by such disasters; and (5) report that identifies, with respect to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the families of such individuals, areas for improvement in supporting such individuals and families to prepare for and recover from such disasters. 3. Review of assistance and resources Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States and the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall each— (1) conduct a review of assistance and resources the Administrator provides to States, localities, nonprofit organizations, and individuals to assist— (A) individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; (B) individuals with physical disabilities; and (C) the families of the individuals described in subparagraphs (A) and (B); (2) identify potential legal impediments to providing such assistance and resources; (3) provide to Congress recommendations on how the Administration can— (A) improve such assistance and resources; (B) enhance coordination with States, localities, nonprofit organizations in carrying out such assistance and providing such resources; and (C) streamline the application process and delivery of assistance and resources to individuals described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (1); and (4) provide to Congress recommendations on any legislative reform necessary to improve such assistance and resources.

July 23, 2024 Reported without amendment

tv_txt: IIB 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6249 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 12, 2024 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs AN ACT To provide for a review and report on the assistance and resources that the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency provides to individuals with disabilities and the families of such individuals that are impacted by major disasters, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Think Differently About Emergencies Act . 2. Report to Congress (a) In general Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report describing the assistance and resources that the Administrator provides for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the families of such individuals who are impacted by major disasters declared under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5170 ) to the following: (1) States. (2) Localities. (3) Nonprofit organizations. (4) Directly to such individuals. (b) Contents The report under subsection (a) shall contain— (1) a description of the resources and best practices that the Administrator makes available to the entities listed in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a) that are impacted by major disasters declared under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5170 ); (2) detail the process the Administrator undertakes to train personnel and deploy such personnel into areas to coordinate with States, localities, and nonprofit organizations to provide assistance and ensure that the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the families of such individuals are met following such a disaster; (3) list the number of programs the Administrator administers which support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to prepare for and recover from such disasters, including by provide accommodation to such individuals and the families of such individuals; (4) description of outreach activities of the Administration to State, local, and nonprofit experts on addressing the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the families of such individuals impacted by such disasters; and (5) report that identifies, with respect to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the families of such individuals, areas for improvement in supporting such individuals and families to prepare for and recover from such disasters. 3. Review of assistance and resources Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States and the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall each— (1) conduct a review of assistance and resources the Administrator provides to States, localities, nonprofit organizations, and individuals to assist— (A) individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; (B) individuals with physical disabilities; and (C) the families of the individuals described in subparagraphs (A) and (B); (2) identify potential legal impediments to providing such assistance and resources; (3) provide to Congress recommendations on how the Administration can— (A) improve such assistance and resources; (B) enhance coordination with States, localities, nonprofit organizations in carrying out such assistance and providing such resources; and (C) streamline the application process and delivery of assistance and resources to individuals described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (1); and (4) provide to Congress recommendations on any legislative reform necessary to improve such assistance and resources.

Passed the House of Representatives March 11, 2024. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: IB 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6249 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To provide for a review and report on the assistance and resources that the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency provides to individuals with disabilities and the families of such individuals that are impacted by major disasters, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Think Differently About Emergencies Act . 2. Report to Congress (a) In general Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report describing the assistance and resources that the Administrator provides for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the families of such individuals who are impacted by major disasters declared under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5170 ) to the following: (1) States. (2) Localities. (3) Nonprofit organizations. (4) Directly to such individuals. (b) Contents The report under subsection (a) shall contain— (1) a description of the resources and best practices that the Administrator makes available to the entities listed in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a) that are impacted by major disasters declared under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5170 ); (2) detail the process the Administrator undertakes to train personnel and deploy such personnel into areas to coordinate with States, localities, and nonprofit organizations to provide assistance and ensure that the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the families of such individuals are met following such a disaster; (3) list the number of programs the Administrator administers which support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to prepare for and recover from such disasters, including by provide accommodation to such individuals and the families of such individuals; (4) description of outreach activities of the Administration to State, local, and nonprofit experts on addressing the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the families of such individuals impacted by such disasters; and (5) report that identifies, with respect to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the families of such individuals, areas for improvement in supporting such individuals and families to prepare for and recover from such disasters. 3. Review of assistance and resources Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States and the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall each— (1) conduct a review of assistance and resources the Administrator provides to States, localities, nonprofit organizations, and individuals to assist— (A) individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; (B) individuals with physical disabilities; and (C) the families of the individuals described in subparagraphs (A) and (B); (2) identify potential legal impediments to providing such assistance and resources; (3) provide to Congress recommendations on how the Administration can— (A) improve such assistance and resources; (B) enhance coordination with States, localities, nonprofit organizations in carrying out such assistance and providing such resources; and (C) streamline the application process and delivery of assistance and resources to individuals described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (1); and (4) provide to Congress recommendations on any legislative reform necessary to improve such assistance and resources.

Passed the House of Representatives March 11, 2024. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 321 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6249 [Report No. 118–392] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 6, 2023 Mr. Molinaro (for himself, Ms. Titus , Mr. Carbajal , and Ms. Norton ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure February 20, 2024 Additional sponsors: Mr. Ryan , Mr. Pappas , Mr. García of Illinois , Mr. Kean of New Jersey , Mr. DeSaulnier , Mr. Goldman of New York , and Mr. Allred February 20, 2024 Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed A BILL To provide for a review and report on the assistance and resources that the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency provides to individuals with disabilities and the families of such individuals that are impacted by major disasters, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Think Differently About Emergencies Act . 2. Report to Congress (a) In general Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report describing the assistance and resources that the Administrator provides for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the families of such individuals who are impacted by major disasters declared under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5170 ) to the following: (1) States. (2) Localities. (3) Nonprofit organizations. (4) Directly to such individuals. (b) Contents The report under subsection (a) shall contain— (1) a description of the resources and best practices that the Administrator makes available to the entities listed in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a) that are impacted by major disasters declared under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5170 ); (2) detail the process the Administrator undertakes to train personnel and deploy such personnel into areas to coordinate with States, localities, and nonprofit organizations to provide assistance and ensure that the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the families of such individuals are met following such a disaster; (3) list the number of programs the Administrator administers which support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to prepare for and recover from such disasters, including by provide accommodation to such individuals and the families of such individuals; (4) description of outreach activities of the Administration to State, local, and nonprofit experts on addressing the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the families of such individuals impacted by such disasters; and (5) report that identifies, with respect to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the families of such individuals, areas for improvement in supporting such individuals and families to prepare for and recover from such disasters. 3. Review of assistance and resources Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States and the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall each— (1) conduct a review of assistance and resources the Administrator provides to States, localities, nonprofit organizations, and individuals to assist— (A) individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; (B) individuals with physical disabilities; and (C) the families of the individuals described in subparagraphs (A) and (B); (2) identify potential legal impediments to providing such assistance and resources; (3) provide to Congress recommendations on how the Administration can— (A) improve such assistance and resources; (B) enhance coordination with States, localities, nonprofit organizations in carrying out such assistance and providing such resources; and (C) streamline the application process and delivery of assistance and resources to individuals described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (1); and (4) provide to Congress recommendations on any legislative reform necessary to improve such assistance and resources.

February 20, 2024 Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed