Legis Daily

STORM Act

USA119th CongressS-1701| Senate 
| Updated: 5/8/2025
Ted Budd

Ted Budd

Republican Senator

North Carolina

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The Strategic Teams for Organized Response Mobilization (STORM) Act amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to enhance the nation's ability to respond to declared emergencies. It establishes a framework for the President to enter into voluntary agreements with certified health care workforce platforms , which are private technology entities that partner with credentialed independent contractor health care workers. These platforms are designed to facilitate a rapid surge in health care capacity during crises, ensuring a more organized and efficient mobilization of medical personnel. A key provision of the Act allows the President to coordinate with States to facilitate waivers of licensure requirements for out-of-state independent contractor health care workers. These waivers apply when workers are deployed through certified platforms to respond to an emergency, provided they hold a valid license in at least one state. The President is tasked with establishing model procedures and criteria for these waivers, which will include requirements for qualifications, background checks, and expedited deployment, potentially relying on the platform's vetting processes. To encourage participation, the bill provides significant liability protections for independent contractor health care workers and the platforms themselves, exempting them from liability for injury or damage during authorized activities, except in cases of willful misconduct, gross negligence, or bad faith. Furthermore, during federally-led emergency responses, these entities may be deemed federal employees for purposes of the Federal Tort Claims Act. The President is also required to submit annual reports to Congress detailing the use of state licensure waivers, deployment durations, and any challenges encountered, ensuring transparency and accountability.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-3418
STORM Act
May 8, 2025
Introduced in Senate
May 8, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Feb 2, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-6539
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-3418
    STORM Act


  • May 8, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 8, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.


  • February 2, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-6539
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

STORM Act

USA119th CongressS-1701| Senate 
| Updated: 5/8/2025
The Strategic Teams for Organized Response Mobilization (STORM) Act amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to enhance the nation's ability to respond to declared emergencies. It establishes a framework for the President to enter into voluntary agreements with certified health care workforce platforms , which are private technology entities that partner with credentialed independent contractor health care workers. These platforms are designed to facilitate a rapid surge in health care capacity during crises, ensuring a more organized and efficient mobilization of medical personnel. A key provision of the Act allows the President to coordinate with States to facilitate waivers of licensure requirements for out-of-state independent contractor health care workers. These waivers apply when workers are deployed through certified platforms to respond to an emergency, provided they hold a valid license in at least one state. The President is tasked with establishing model procedures and criteria for these waivers, which will include requirements for qualifications, background checks, and expedited deployment, potentially relying on the platform's vetting processes. To encourage participation, the bill provides significant liability protections for independent contractor health care workers and the platforms themselves, exempting them from liability for injury or damage during authorized activities, except in cases of willful misconduct, gross negligence, or bad faith. Furthermore, during federally-led emergency responses, these entities may be deemed federal employees for purposes of the Federal Tort Claims Act. The President is also required to submit annual reports to Congress detailing the use of state licensure waivers, deployment durations, and any challenges encountered, ensuring transparency and accountability.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-3418
STORM Act
May 8, 2025
Introduced in Senate
May 8, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Feb 2, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-6539
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-3418
    STORM Act


  • May 8, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 8, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.


  • February 2, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-6539
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Ted Budd

Ted Budd

Republican Senator

North Carolina

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted