SAFE for Survivors Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8965
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-21: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Ways and Means, the Judiciary, House Administration, Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-17T16:13:10Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation aims to promote the economic security and safety of survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking by addressing gaps in workplace leave, employment protections, unemployment benefits, and insurance practices. It expands support for victims of broader "qualifying acts of violence," including family violence, sexual harassment, trafficking, and communication of intimate visual depictions.
Key Provisions
- Title I: Reauthorizes grants under the Violence Against Women Act for national resource centers to assist employers and victim services organizations with workplace responses.
- Title II: Creates an entitlement to up to 40 workdays of "safe leave" per 12-month period (at least 10 paid) for purposes such as seeking counseling, legal assistance, relocation, medical care, or financial services related to a qualifying act of violence. Includes certification options, confidentiality rules, job restoration, and maintenance of health benefits.
- Title III: Prohibits employment discrimination and denial of public assistance based on victim status; requires reasonable accommodations (e.g., schedule changes, safety measures) unless they cause undue hardship; mandates interactive processes and confidentiality of related information.
- Title IV: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prevent denial of unemployment compensation for voluntary job separation attributable to a qualifying act of violence; requires state training for claims personnel and authorizes grants for model training programs.
- Title V: Prohibits insurers from denying coverage, limiting claims, or discriminating based on victim status; mandates continuation of health coverage in certain cases; establishes protocols for privacy and safety; creates a public education campaign and increases funding for family violence prevention infrastructure.
- Additional sections: Includes definitions, a rule of construction preserving more protective laws, invalidation of predispute arbitration agreements for certain claims, and a severability clause.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces new federal safe leave rights beyond the Family and Medical Leave Act.
- Amends the Internal Revenue Code (Section 3304) and Social Security Act (Section 303) to expand unemployment eligibility and add training requirements.
- Establishes new anti-discrimination rules in employment (extending Civil Rights Act frameworks) and insurance (treating violations as unfair practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act).
- Broadens definitions in the Violence Against Women Act and related statutes to cover additional forms of violence and economic abuse.
- Requires employers and insurers to implement specific policies, training, and accommodations not previously mandated at the federal level.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Increases responsibilities for the Department of Labor (enforcement, rulemaking, grants), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Office of Personnel Management, and state unemployment agencies; requires coordination among HHS, DOJ, and CDC for education campaigns.
- Citizens: Provides survivors with paid/unpaid leave, job protections, unemployment access, and insurance safeguards, potentially reducing job loss and homelessness linked to violence.
- Employers and insurers: Mandates new compliance, training, and accommodation processes, with potential liability for violations.
- No direct effects on international relations are specified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Survivors of qualifying acts of violence and their family or household members.
- Employers (public and private) and employees.
- Insurers, health plans, and self-insured employers.
- Victim services organizations and coalitions.
- Federal agencies (DOL, EEOC, HHS, DOJ) and state governments (unemployment systems, public assistance programs).
- Courts and legal service providers.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Creates private rights of action with damages, attorney's fees, and liquidated damages, potentially increasing litigation.
- Invalidates predispute arbitration agreements for claims under Titles II, III, and V.
- Includes confidentiality protections for victim information and limits on information requests to avoid safety risks.
- Preserves state and local laws offering greater protections while setting federal minimum standards.
- Contains a severability clause to maintain the Act if any provision is found unconstitutional.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-21: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Ways and Means, the Judiciary, House Administration, Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
- 2026-05-21: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Ways and Means, the Judiciary, House Administration, Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
- 2026-05-21: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Ways and Means, the Judiciary, House Administration, Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
- 2026-05-21: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Ways and Means, the Judiciary, House Administration, Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
- 2026-05-21: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Ways and Means, the Judiciary, House Administration, Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
- 2026-05-21: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Ways and Means, the Judiciary, House Administration, Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
- 2026-05-21: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Ways and Means, the Judiciary, House Administration, Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
- 2026-05-21: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-21: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Security And Financial Empowerment for Survivors Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-21 — PDF (86 pages)