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Disaster Assistance Simplification Act

Introduced: July 21, 2022 Introduced by: Peters, Gary C. Democratic · Michigan See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 27, 2022
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 505.
Sep 27, 2022
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 117-163.
Aug 3, 2022
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Jul 21, 2022
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Jul 21, 2022
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Disaster Assistance Simplification Act

This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a web-based, interagency electronic information system to be known as DisasterAssistance.gov to provide for a universal disaster application across federal agencies.

Specifically, such system shall

  • facilitate a consolidated application for any form of disaster assistance provided by a disaster assistance agency;
  • carry out the purposes of disaster assistance programs swiftly, efficiently, equitably, and in accordance with specified laws and privacy and data protections; and
  • support the detection, prevention, and investigation of waste, fraud, abuse, or discrimination in the administration of disaster assistance programs.

DisasterAssistance.gov shall permit (1) applicants to receive status updates and update disaster assistance information throughout their recovery, and (2) the distribution of additional recovery resource information to survivors that may be available in a disaster stricken jurisdiction. Further, it shall provide disaster survivors with information and documentation on applications.

FEMA shall facilitate the collection of disaster assistance information into DisasterAssistance.gov only after (1) it certifies that the website substantially complies with specified data security standards and any other applicable federal information security policy, (2) the Department of Homeland Security publishes a privacy impact assessment, and (3) FEMA publishes standard rules of behavior for disaster assistance agencies and personnel to protect information from improper disclosure.

FEMA may certify a federal agency as a disaster assistance agency after posting an agreement that contains the detailed terms of the agreement.

What's happening now September 27, 2022

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 505.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1