Safe at Home Act

The "Safe at Home Act" requires all federal executive agencies and Federal courts to accept a designated address provided by individuals enrolled in state address confidentiality programs . These programs offer a substitute address and mail-forwarding service for participants, who are then exempt from federal penalties for using this designated address instead of their physical one. This measure aims to protect individuals, such as victims of domestic violence or stalking, by safeguarding their actual location. If an executive agency or Federal court needs a participant's physical address, they must adhere to the specific procedures of the relevant address confidentiality program. Any physical address obtained this way is considered confidential and is explicitly exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act . However, there are limited exceptions: a Federal court may order disclosure for relevant Federal criminal proceedings to specific parties, or for an executive agency to fulfill its legal requirements, provided strict confidentiality and usage limitations are maintained. Executive agencies are also mandated to review and modify their existing regulations within one year to ensure full compliance with these new requirements.