Think Differently About Emergencies Act

[118th Congress Public Law 123]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



[[Page 138 STAT. 1629]]

Public Law 118-123
118th Congress

                                 An Act


 
To provide for a review and report on the assistance and resources that 
the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency provides to 
individuals with disabilities and the families of such individuals that 
 are impacted by major disasters, and for other purposes. <<NOTE: Nov. 
                       25, 2024 -  [H.R. 6249]>> 

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Think 
Differently About Emergencies Act.>> 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Think Differently About Emergencies 
Act''.
SEC. 2. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report 
describing the assistance and resources that the Administrator provides 
for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the 
families of such individuals who are impacted by major disasters 
declared under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170) to the following:
            (1) States.
            (2) Localities.
            (3) Nonprofit organizations.
            (4) Directly to such individuals.

    (b) Contents.--The report under subsection (a) shall contain--
            (1) a description of the resources and best practices that 
        the Administrator makes available to the entities listed in 
        paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a) that are impacted 
        by major disasters declared under section 401 of the Robert T. 
        Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
        5170);
            (2) <<NOTE: Process.>> detail the process the Administrator 
        undertakes to train personnel and deploy such personnel into 
        areas to coordinate with States, localities, and nonprofit 
        organizations to provide assistance and ensure that the needs of 
        individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and 
        the families of such individuals are met following such a 
        disaster;

[[Page 138 STAT. 1630]]

            (3) <<NOTE: List.>> list the number of programs the 
        Administrator administers which support individuals with 
        intellectual and developmental disabilities to prepare for and 
        recover from such disasters, including by provide accommodation 
        to such individuals and the families of such individuals;
            (4) description of outreach activities of the Administration 
        to State, local, and nonprofit experts on addressing the needs 
        of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities 
        and the families of such individuals impacted by such disasters; 
        and
            (5) report that identifies, with respect to individuals with 
        intellectual and developmental disabilities and the families of 
        such individuals, areas for improvement in supporting such 
        individuals and families to prepare for and recover from such 
        disasters.
SEC. 3. <<NOTE: Deadline.>> REVIEW OF ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCES.

    Not <<NOTE: Recommenda- tions.>> later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States and 
the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall 
each--
            (1) conduct a review of assistance and resources the 
        Administrator provides to States, localities, nonprofit 
        organizations, and individuals to assist--
                    (A) individuals with intellectual and developmental 
                disabilities;
                    (B) individuals with physical disabilities; and
                    (C) the families of the individuals described in 
                subparagraphs (A) and (B);
            (2) identify potential legal impediments to providing such 
        assistance and resources;
            (3) provide to Congress recommendations on how the 
        Administration can--
                    (A) improve such assistance and resources;
                    (B) enhance coordination with States, localities, 
                nonprofit organizations in carrying out such assistance 
                and providing such resources; and
                    (C) streamline the application process and delivery 
                of assistance and resources to individuals described in 
                subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (1); and

[[Page 138 STAT. 1631]]

            (4) provide to Congress recommendations on any legislative 
        reform necessary to improve such assistance and resources.

    Approved November 25, 2024.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 6249:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOUSE REPORTS: No. 118-392 (Comm. on Transportation and Infrastructure).
SENATE REPORTS: No. 118-195 (Comm. on Homeland Security and Governmental 
Affairs).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 170 (2024):
            Mar. 11, considered and passed House.
            Nov. 19, considered and passed Senate.

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