Safe Shelters for Survivors Act of 2026

This legislative proposal, titled the "Safe Shelters for Survivors Act of 2026," aims to enhance safety within certain support facilities by restricting access for registered sex offenders. It primarily prohibits federally funded domestic violence and homeless shelters from providing services or shelter to individuals required to register on the National Sex Offender Registry, thereby creating safer environments for vulnerable populations. Specifically, any covered shelter —a domestic violence or homeless shelter receiving federal funds—is forbidden from offering services or housing to a covered sex offender ; non-compliance results in loss of federal funding. Conversely, covered sex offenders are prohibited from entering or using these shelters' services, with a narrow exception for seeking information on non-covered shelters. If an offender enters, immediate notification to staff of their registration status is mandatory, and failure to comply with these prohibitions or notification requirements carries penalties including fines, imprisonment up to five years, or both, effective 180 days post-enactment.