SAFE for Survivors Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- S. 4635
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-21: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-17T16:17:29Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation This bill, titled the Security And Financial Empowerment for Survivors Act of 2026 (SAFE for Survivors Act of 2026), aims to support survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and related harms by improving their economic security and safety. It focuses on workplace protections, leave options, unemployment benefits, insurance fairness, and public education to help survivors maintain jobs, access services, and avoid further hardship.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Definitions: Expands terms like "qualifying act of violence" to cover domestic violence, family violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, trafficking, sexual harassment, gender-based violence, intimate visual depictions without consent, and threats involving weapons or force. It also defines victims to include those whose family or household members are affected.
- Title I: Reauthorizes grants for a national resource center to help employers, labor groups, and victim services organizations respond to workplace violence issues.
- Title II: Requires employers to provide up to 40 workdays of "safe leave" per 12-month period (at least 10 paid) for survivors or their family members to seek counseling, legal help, medical care, housing, child care, financial services, or other safety steps. Leave can be taken intermittently.
- Title III: Prohibits employers and public agencies from discriminating against victims in hiring, firing, pay, benefits, or public assistance. Requires reasonable job modifications or safety measures (like schedule changes or transfers) unless they cause undue hardship.
- Title IV: Makes victims eligible for unemployment benefits if they leave a job due to violence, with states required to accept certain documentation like police records or statements from victim services groups. Includes training for unemployment staff.
- Title V: Bars insurers from denying coverage, raising rates, or limiting claims based on victim status. Requires insurers to create safety protocols, maintain confidentiality, and allow continuation of health coverage in some cases. Prohibits subrogation without victim consent.
- Title VI: Includes a standard severability clause.
Additional rules cover confidentiality of victim information, no requirement to find replacement workers for leave, and grants for education campaigns on violence prevention and rights.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
- Creates a new category of paid and unpaid "safe leave" separate from existing family and medical leave laws.
- Adds explicit job protections and anti-discrimination rules for victims in employment and public assistance.
- Expands unemployment compensation to cover voluntary job separations linked to violence.
- Introduces insurance rules preventing discrimination against victims and requiring specific protocols.
- Invalidates predispute arbitration agreements and class-action waivers for claims under Titles II, III, and V.
- Updates grant programs and adds training requirements for unemployment personnel and public outreach.
- Broadens definitions of violence beyond prior laws to include more forms like economic abuse and image-based harms.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of Labor would enforce leave and discrimination rules, investigate complaints, and issue regulations. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission would handle employment claims. States would update unemployment systems and train staff. The Federal Trade Commission would oversee insurance violations. Additional costs may arise for administration, grants, and education programs.
- Citizens: Survivors gain tools for job retention and financial stability, such as leave for safety planning. Employers and insurers face new compliance duties, potentially increasing operational costs or insurance premiums.
- International Relations: No direct provisions address international matters.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Survivors of qualifying acts of violence and their family or household members.
- Employers across private, public, and federal sectors.
- Insurers and health plan providers.
- Victim services organizations and coalitions.
- Federal agencies including the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Justice, plus state unemployment offices.
- Employees in covered workplaces and recipients of public assistance.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill preserves stronger state or local laws and collective bargaining agreements that offer more protections.
- It strengthens confidentiality rules for medical and violence-related information held by employers and insurers.
- Enforcement includes civil lawsuits, damages (including liquidated and punitive), attorney fees, and penalties, with some actions allowed in federal or state courts.
- A rebuttable presumption of retaliation applies if adverse actions occur within 12 months of using leave or accommodations.
- The legislation emphasizes economic independence as a factor in escaping abuse, without altering existing constitutional frameworks for employment or insurance regulation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (10)
Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT], Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH], Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-21: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2026-05-21: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Security And Financial Empowerment for Survivors Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-21 — PDF (86 pages)