REAADI for Disasters Act

Bill Number

H.R. 7029

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Emergency Management

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-01-14: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

Last Updated

2026-06-25T08:07:48Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The REAADI for Disasters Act aims to better prepare and protect older adults (age 65 or older) and individuals with disabilities during disasters and public health emergencies. It focuses on including these groups in all phases of disaster management—preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation—to ensure they receive equal access to services without discrimination based on age or disability. The Act establishes funding, training, and standards to promote accessibility, coordination among agencies, and compliance with existing civil rights laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act.

Key Provisions

• Findings and Sense of Congress: Highlights statistics on the vulnerability of over 70 million adults with disabilities and 54 million older adults to disasters, including higher death rates and barriers like inaccessible evacuation info or shelters. Congress expresses support for universal design in rebuilding, accessible communications (e.g., American Sign Language, captions), inclusion of these groups in planning, and integration into general population services rather than segregation.

• Definitions: Defines key terms such as "access and functional needs" (e.g., disabilities, limited English proficiency, transportation barriers), "at-risk individuals" (including older adults, people with disabilities, children, and their families), "covered individual" (people with disabilities or older adults), and "human services" (e.g., case management, personal care, accessible housing, peer support).

• Amendments to Stafford Act (Sec. 5): Updates federal disaster response funds to require advisory committees with input from people with disabilities and older adults; ensures compliance with ADA and Rehabilitation Act; allows contracts with centers for independent living for accessible shelters and media; mandates accessible communications and facilities; and requires new or rebuilt housing to meet "visitability standards" (basic accessibility features like wide doorways for wheelchairs).

• Training and Research Centers (Sec. 6): Authorizes $100 million annually (FY 2026–2030) for competitive grants to eligible entities (e.g., nonprofits, universities focused on disabilities or older adults) to create regional centers. These centers provide training, technical assistance, and research to state, local, Tribal, and territorial agencies on including covered individuals in disaster plans, protecting civil rights, and reducing harms like displacement or institutionalization. Grants range from $2.5–10 million for 5-year periods, with priorities for entities led by covered individuals and using evidence-based methods.

• Disaster Human Services Emergency Fund (Sec. 7): Establishes a $100 million annual fund (FY 2026–2030) administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for rapid response to disasters or potential crises. Funds support coordination, grants/contracts for human services (e.g., case management, accessible transportation, nutritional support, preventing institutionalization), and Department activities. Priorities include accessible services for at-risk groups; requires evaluations and public reporting.

• Disaster Preparedness Grants (Sec. 8): Authorizes $300 million annually (FY 2026–2030) for grants/contracts to state/local governments, Tribes, and nonprofits to build capacity for accessible preparedness, foster partnerships across human services and emergency agencies, and fund dedicated staff for at-risk needs. Up to 3% reserved for administration.

• Projects of National Significance (Sec. 9): Provides grants/contracts (at least 4, $2.5–10 million each, 3–5 years) to eligible entities for innovative projects like policy development, research on disaster impacts, and strategies to reduce deaths/injuries while promoting self-determination and collaboration.

• Crisis Standards of Care (Sec. 10): Requires states and localities to develop nondiscriminatory crisis care guidelines during resource shortages, compliant with federal civil rights laws. Emphasizes equity, dignity, public engagement (especially with covered groups), and bans using factors like disability or age in care decisions. Civil rights cannot be suspended.

• National Advisory Committee Expansion (Sec. 11): Amends the Public Health Service Act to increase the National Advisory Committee on Individuals with Disabilities and Disasters from 17 to 45 members, adding representatives from disability/older adult communities, emergency agencies, Tribes, territories, and others. Authorizes $500,000 annually (FY 2026–2029) for operations; extends committee life.

• Advisory Committee on Settlement Agreements (Sec. 12): Creates a short-term Disability and Disaster Preparedness Advisory Committee (led by Department of Justice) to review U.S. settlement agreements (2005 onward) related to ADA/Rehabilitation Act violations in disasters. Includes disability advocates; submits report with recommendations to Congress and agencies within 1 year; committee terminates 90 days after reporting. Requires annual DOJ reports on oversight.

• GAO Investigation (Sec. 13): Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate federal compliance with ADA/Rehabilitation Act in disaster fund use since 2005, focusing on accessibility for covered groups. GAO must issue a report with remediation recommendations within 1 year, incorporating input from advisory committees.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Stafford Act Amendments: Adds definitions and mandates for disability/age inclusion in fund use, shifting from general disaster aid to required accessibility (e.g., advisory oversight, visitability in housing).
• Public Health Service Act Amendments: Expands the advisory committee's size, diversity, and duration to better represent covered individuals and include federal leaders like the Secretary of Transportation.
• New Standards and Funds: Introduces dedicated HHS funds and grants not previously specified in law, codifying civil rights protections in crisis care and requiring evaluations of disaster programs.
• Enforcement Mechanisms: Establishes committees for reviewing past settlements and GAO oversight, enhancing accountability beyond existing voluntary guidelines.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Increases workload and funding for HHS (administering grants/funds), FEMA (via Stafford changes), DOJ (oversight/reports), and state/local/Tribal entities (mandatory planning, training). Promotes interagency coordination but may require new staff/training budgets.
• Citizens: Improves safety and access for ~124 million covered individuals by reducing disaster deaths, displacement, and discrimination; enhances community resilience through accessible shelters, info, and services. Could lower long-term costs for vulnerable households via better preparedness and rebuilding.
• International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it may influence U.S. aid standards for global disasters involving disabilities/aging populations; focuses domestically on U.S. territories and Tribes.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Individuals and Communities: Older adults, people with disabilities (including intellectual, sensory, physical), at-risk families, low-income/rural/urban/BIPOC/LGBTQ+ groups, and children—gaining better protection and inclusion.
• Government Entities: HHS, FEMA, DOJ, state/local/Tribal/territorial agencies, and emergency management offices—responsible for implementation, compliance, and reporting.
• Nonprofits and Organizations: Centers for independent living, VOADs (voluntary organizations active in disasters), disability/older adult advocacy groups, and human services providers—eligible for grants, partnerships, and leadership roles.
• Other: Researchers, contractors, and insurers—impacted by new standards for accessible housing/insurance and evaluation requirements.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces ADA and Rehabilitation Act enforcement in disasters, prohibiting discrimination and ensuring civil rights (e.g., equal access to care) cannot be waived. Introduces "visitability standards" as a federal benchmark for housing, potentially leading to more lawsuits for non-compliance but also clearer guidelines.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Equal Protection Clause by mandating equity in public services during crises; promotes due process through accessible notifications and participation in planning.
• Political: Bipartisan introduction (e.g., by Reps. Dingell, Fitzpatrick) signals broad support for equity in disaster policy. Authorizes ~$1 billion annually in new funding, which could spark debates on federal spending, but emphasizes measurable outcomes and civil rights to build consensus. May influence future legislation on climate resilience and public health emergencies.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]

Cosponsors (6)

Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1]

Recent Actions

• 2026-01-14: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
• 2026-01-13: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, and Energy and Commerce, 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 concerned.
• 2026-01-13: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, and Energy and Commerce, 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 concerned.
• 2026-01-13: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, and Energy and Commerce, 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 concerned.
• 2026-01-13: Introduced in House
• 2026-01-13: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Real Emergency Access for Aging and Disability Inclusion for Disasters Act — issued 2026-01-13 — PDF (69 pages)

Related Bills

• S. 3628 (119th Congress)