Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB2371

Introduced
3/29/23  
Refer
3/29/23  
Refer
3/30/23  

Caption

REAADI for Disasters Act Real Emergency Access for Aging and Disability Inclusion for Disasters Act

Impact

The legislation enforces compliance with existing civil rights laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act, during all phases of disaster preparation, response, and recovery. By doing so, it aims to prevent discrimination against individuals with disabilities and older adults in emergency situations. Moreover, the act aims to enhance state and local emergency management policies by requiring engagement from these communities in planning and evaluative capacities concerning disaster management.

Summary

House Bill 2371, also known as the Real Emergency Access for Aging and Disability Inclusion for Disasters Act (REAADI for Disasters Act), focuses on improving the preparedness and response of individuals with disabilities and older adults during disasters. It establishes a framework ensuring these populations are integrated into disaster-related planning, response, and recovery processes. The bill aims to enhance accessibility to disaster services and ensure that older adults and individuals with disabilities receive the necessary support to mitigate risks associated with natural disasters.

Contention

Community discussions surrounding the bill emphasize the need for increased representation of vulnerable populations in disaster management frameworks. There are concerns that existing systems often overlook the unique needs of older adults and individuals with disabilities, exposing them to heightened risks during disasters. By mandating that these communities be involved in decision-making processes, supporters argue that the bill provides essential protections and fosters more inclusive disaster preparedness strategies. However, challenges may arise in implementing these requirements universally across diverse jurisdictions, given the varying capacities and resources of local governments.

Companion Bills

US SB1049

Same As REAADI for Disasters Act Real Emergency Access for Aging and Disability Inclusion for Disasters Act

Previously Filed As

US SB1049

REAADI for Disasters Act Real Emergency Access for Aging and Disability Inclusion for Disasters Act

US HB5324

Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act

US SB1377

Visitable Inclusive Tax credits for Accessible Living (VITAL) Act

US HB1796

Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2023

US HB2619

Tax Fairness for Disaster Victims Act

US HB313

Small Business Emergency Savings Accounts Act of 2023 This bill allows a new tax deduction from gross income for amounts paid into a small business emergency savings account. Such savings accounts are established exclusively to pay the qualified disaster and public health emergency expenses of the account beneficiary. The bill defines qualified disaster and public health emergency expenses as disaster loss replacement expenses, disaster recovery operations expenses, and public health emergency expenses.

US HB243

Emergency and Disaster Preparedness for Farm Animals Act This bill requires producers to develop disaster preparedness plans that include adverse weather plans to be eligible for livestock indemnity payments and emergency loans due to adverse weather under certain agricultural disaster assistance programs.

US HB312

Emergency Savings Accounts Act of 2023 This bill allows an individual taxpayer occupying a residence a deduction from gross income for up to $5,000 of amounts paid into such taxpayer's emergency savings account. The bill defines emergency savings account as an account established exclusively to pay the qualified disaster and public health emergency expenses of the account beneficiary. The bill defines qualified disaster and public health emergency expenses as disaster mitigation expenses, disaster recovery expenses, public health emergency expenses, and unemployment-related expenses.

US HB8422

Mental Health Emergency Needs in Disasters Act

US HB1388

Sultana Steamboat Disaster Commemorative Coin Act of 2023

Similar Bills

US SB1049

REAADI for Disasters Act Real Emergency Access for Aging and Disability Inclusion for Disasters Act

US SB2544

Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act

US HB4697

Protecting PAHPA Act of 2023 Protecting Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act of 2023

US HB4421

Preparing for All Hazards and Pathogens Reauthorization Act

US SB2213

Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act

US HB4363

Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act

US SB1785

Stop Fentanyl Overdoses Act of 2023

US SB2733

Providing Empathetic and Effective Recovery Support Act PEER Support Act