STORM Act

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.