Legis Daily

REAADI for Disasters Act

USA119th CongressHR-7029| House 
| Updated: 1/13/2026
Debbie Dingell

Debbie Dingell

Democratic Representative

Michigan

Cosponsors (4)
Jared Huffman (Democratic)Jimmy Panetta (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee, Education and Workforce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The Real Emergency Access for Aging and Disability Inclusion for Disasters Act, or REAADI for Disasters Act, seeks to significantly improve disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts for older adults and individuals with disabilities. Congress finds that these groups are disproportionately affected by disasters, experiencing higher mortality rates and facing barriers to accessible information, evacuation, and shelter. The bill's core purposes include ensuring non-discrimination, improving coordination among relevant entities, and establishing federal funding and standards of care to protect the civil rights and address the needs of these individuals. A key provision amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, requiring that funds made available for disaster relief comply with disability laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act. Covered recipients of these funds must establish advisory committees that include individuals with disabilities and older adults, and ensure all communications and facilities, including emergency shelters, are accessible. Furthermore, any dwelling units constructed or prepared with these funds must meet visitability standards. The bill establishes new grant programs and centers to enhance capacity and research. It authorizes grants for Training, Technical Assistance, and Research Disability and Disaster Centers, which will provide training to state, local, and tribal agencies on inclusive disaster management and conduct research to protect the civil rights and reduce harm to covered individuals. These centers must include covered individuals in leadership roles and prioritize entities with demonstrated experience in disability-inclusive disaster management. A new Disaster Human Services Emergency Fund is created within the Department of Health and Human Services to rapidly address the immediate human services needs of at-risk individuals during declared emergencies or potential disasters. This fund will support coordination, provide grants for human services projects like case management and community living options, and ensure accessible home and community-based services. Eligible activities include assistance with disaster applications, preventing institutionalization, and providing accessible transportation and nutritional services. Additionally, the Act authorizes Disaster Preparedness Grants to foster multi-sectoral partnerships and improve the ability of human service agencies to mitigate and respond to disasters, specifically supporting the needs of at-risk individuals. It also establishes grants for Projects of National Significance to create opportunities for individuals with disabilities and older adults to contribute directly to disaster improvement, support inclusive policies, and fund research on the long-term effects of disasters on these populations. To safeguard civil rights during crises, the bill mandates that states and local governmental entities develop non-discriminatory crisis standards of care for disasters and public health emergencies. These standards must comply with existing civil rights laws, reflect the inherent dignity of all individuals, and specifically address the needs of covered individuals and children, avoiding discriminatory policies based on class, race, disability, or age. Finally, the legislation expands the National Advisory Committee on Individuals with Disabilities and Disasters, increasing its membership to include a more diverse representation from the disability community and various emergency management and advocacy organizations. It also establishes a Disability and Disaster Preparedness Advisory Committee to review past settlement agreements related to disability discrimination in disasters and mandates a Government Accountability Office investigation into federal agencies' compliance with disability laws in disaster fund expenditures since 2005.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-3208
REAADI for Disasters Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-4938
REAADI for Disasters Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-2371
REAADI for Disasters Act
Jan 13, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-3628
Introduced in Senate
Jan 13, 2026
Introduced in House
Jan 13, 2026
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.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-3208
    REAADI for Disasters Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-4938
    REAADI for Disasters Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-2371
    REAADI for Disasters Act


  • January 13, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-3628
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 13, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • January 13, 2026
    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.

Emergency Management

Related Bills

  • S 119-3628: REAADI for Disasters Act

REAADI for Disasters Act

USA119th CongressHR-7029| House 
| Updated: 1/13/2026
The Real Emergency Access for Aging and Disability Inclusion for Disasters Act, or REAADI for Disasters Act, seeks to significantly improve disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts for older adults and individuals with disabilities. Congress finds that these groups are disproportionately affected by disasters, experiencing higher mortality rates and facing barriers to accessible information, evacuation, and shelter. The bill's core purposes include ensuring non-discrimination, improving coordination among relevant entities, and establishing federal funding and standards of care to protect the civil rights and address the needs of these individuals. A key provision amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, requiring that funds made available for disaster relief comply with disability laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act. Covered recipients of these funds must establish advisory committees that include individuals with disabilities and older adults, and ensure all communications and facilities, including emergency shelters, are accessible. Furthermore, any dwelling units constructed or prepared with these funds must meet visitability standards. The bill establishes new grant programs and centers to enhance capacity and research. It authorizes grants for Training, Technical Assistance, and Research Disability and Disaster Centers, which will provide training to state, local, and tribal agencies on inclusive disaster management and conduct research to protect the civil rights and reduce harm to covered individuals. These centers must include covered individuals in leadership roles and prioritize entities with demonstrated experience in disability-inclusive disaster management. A new Disaster Human Services Emergency Fund is created within the Department of Health and Human Services to rapidly address the immediate human services needs of at-risk individuals during declared emergencies or potential disasters. This fund will support coordination, provide grants for human services projects like case management and community living options, and ensure accessible home and community-based services. Eligible activities include assistance with disaster applications, preventing institutionalization, and providing accessible transportation and nutritional services. Additionally, the Act authorizes Disaster Preparedness Grants to foster multi-sectoral partnerships and improve the ability of human service agencies to mitigate and respond to disasters, specifically supporting the needs of at-risk individuals. It also establishes grants for Projects of National Significance to create opportunities for individuals with disabilities and older adults to contribute directly to disaster improvement, support inclusive policies, and fund research on the long-term effects of disasters on these populations. To safeguard civil rights during crises, the bill mandates that states and local governmental entities develop non-discriminatory crisis standards of care for disasters and public health emergencies. These standards must comply with existing civil rights laws, reflect the inherent dignity of all individuals, and specifically address the needs of covered individuals and children, avoiding discriminatory policies based on class, race, disability, or age. Finally, the legislation expands the National Advisory Committee on Individuals with Disabilities and Disasters, increasing its membership to include a more diverse representation from the disability community and various emergency management and advocacy organizations. It also establishes a Disability and Disaster Preparedness Advisory Committee to review past settlement agreements related to disability discrimination in disasters and mandates a Government Accountability Office investigation into federal agencies' compliance with disability laws in disaster fund expenditures since 2005.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-3208
REAADI for Disasters Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-4938
REAADI for Disasters Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-2371
REAADI for Disasters Act
Jan 13, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-3628
Introduced in Senate
Jan 13, 2026
Introduced in House
Jan 13, 2026
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.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-3208
    REAADI for Disasters Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-4938
    REAADI for Disasters Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-2371
    REAADI for Disasters Act


  • January 13, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-3628
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 13, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • January 13, 2026
    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.
Debbie Dingell

Debbie Dingell

Democratic Representative

Michigan

Cosponsors (4)
Jared Huffman (Democratic)Jimmy Panetta (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee, Education and Workforce Committee

Emergency Management

Related Bills

  • S 119-3628: REAADI for Disasters Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted