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S3628119th CongressWALLET

REAADI for Disasters Act

Sponsored By: Senator Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

Introduced

Summary

Make disaster response and recovery accessible for older adults and people with disabilities. This bill would build civil‑rights requirements, new grant programs, and a rapid human‑services fund so information, shelters, housing, and services work for people with access and functional needs.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Grants to build preparedness capacity

If enacted, the Secretary would award Disaster Preparedness Grants to States, Tribes, local governments, and nonprofits to build human services disaster capacity. Grants could pay for staffing, partnerships, and technical assistance. Up to 3 percent per year may be used for administration. The bill would authorize $300 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

Nondiscrimination rules for crisis care

If enacted, States and local entities would have to adopt crisis standards of care that follow Section 504, Section 1557, and HHS OCR guidance dated March 28, 2020. Crisis plans could not suspend civil rights or use disability, age, race, or neighborhood to deny care. Entities would need to engage stakeholders and make allocation plans that protect covered individuals and children.

Accessibility and visitability rules

If enacted, covered recipients using title funds would have to follow the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA when spending on disaster uses. Contracts with nongovernmental providers would also have to follow those laws. Communications must include ASL, Braille, plain language, captions, and community languages. Dwelling units built or prepared with covered funds would have to meet visitability rules (ICC A117.1‑2009 Type C). The bill would also define key terms like 'covered recipient' and 'older adult' (age 50+) and make the definitions effective on enactment.

Rapid human services disaster fund

If enacted, the bill would create a Disaster Human Services Emergency Fund to pay for immediate human services after declared disasters or public health emergencies. The Secretary would make grants to States, Tribes, local governments, and nonprofits. Individuals and households would not be direct grant recipients. The Fund would be authorized $100 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 and remain available until spent.

National projects for inclusive disaster work

If enacted, the Secretary would award competitive Projects of National Significance to scale innovations that help older adults and people with disabilities in disasters. Awards would generally be between $2.5 million and $10 million. The Secretary must give at least four awards and each award would last three to five years.

Regional disability disaster centers

If enacted, the bill would fund competitive Disability and Disaster Centers to train and assist State, local, Tribal, and territorial agencies. Centers would do technical assistance, civil‑rights support, and research on disaster outcomes. Grants would range from $2.5 million to $10 million for five‑year awards and be distributed across Federal regions. The program would be authorized $100 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

More disability oversight and reviews

If enacted, the Comptroller General would begin a GAO review within 60 days and report on ADA and Rehabilitation Act compliance in disaster spending within one year. The Attorney General would appoint a Disability and Disaster Preparedness Advisory Committee within 60 days to review settlement agreements and report within one year and then end 90 days after the report. The National Advisory Committee on Individuals with Disabilities and Disasters would grow from 17 to 45 members and get $500,000 a year for fiscal years 2027 through 2030.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

CT • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 1/13/2026

  • Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

    VT • I

    Sponsored 1/13/2026

  • Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 1/13/2026

  • Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 1/13/2026

  • Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 1/13/2026

  • Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 1/13/2026

  • Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 1/13/2026

  • Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 1/13/2026

  • Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 1/13/2026

  • Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 1/13/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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