Section
689
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Directs the Administrator to develop guidelines to accommodate individuals with disabilities, which include guidelines for:
(1) the accessibility of, and communications and programs in, shelters, recovery centers, and other facilities; and
(2) devices used in connection with disaster operations, including first aid stations, mass feeding areas, portable pay-phone stations, portable toilets, and temporary housing.
(Sec. 689a) Amends the Stafford Act to require the President to issue regulations that prohibit discrimination based on disability and English proficiency in disaster assistance.
(Sec. 689b) Requires the Administrator, in coordination with the Attorney General, to establish:
(1) within the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the National Emergency Child Locator Center (NECLC); and
(2) procedures to make all relevant information available to NECLC in a timely manner to facilitate the expeditious identification and reunification of children with their families.
Sets forth NECLC purposes and responsibilities, including to:
(1) establish a toll-free telephone number to receive reports and information about displaced children and adults;
(2) create a website about displaced children;
(3) refer reports to an entity designated by the Attorney General to provide technical assistance in locating displaced adults and to the National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System;
(4) enter into cooperative agreements; and
(5) develop an emergency response plan to prepare for its activation.
(Sec. 689c) Directs the Administrator to establish a National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System to help reunify families separated after an emergency or major disaster.
Requires such system to:
(1) allow a displaced adult to voluntarily register and a parent or guardian to register a displaced child by submitting personal information to be entered into a database;
(2) ensure that information submitted is accessible to individuals named by a displaced individual and to law enforcement officials;
(3) be accessible through the Internet and through a toll-free number; and
(4) include a means of referring displaced children to the NECLC. (Sec. 689d) Amends the Stafford Act to provide that temporary housing assistance may include the payment of the cost of utilities, excluding telephone service, and that security deposits may be taken into consideration in determining the amount of assistance.
(Sec. 689e) Requires the FEMA Director to:
(1) identify population groups with limited English proficiency and take such groups into account in planning for an emergency or major disaster;
(2) ensure that information is made available to individuals affected by a major disaster or emergency in formats that can be understood by such groups and by individuals with special needs; and
(3) develop and maintain an information clearinghouse of model language assistance programs and best practices for state and local governments.
(Sec. 689f) Authorizes the President to provide:
(1) transportation assistance to relocate individuals displaced from their predisaster primary residences as a result of an incident declared under the Stafford Act to and from alternative locations for short- or long-term accommodation or to return such individuals to their residence or alternative location; and
(2) case management services to state or local government agencies or qualified private organizations to identify and address unmet needs of disaster victims.
(Sec. 689g) Directs the President to designate in FEMA a Small State and Rural Advocate to assist small population states in preparing requests for major disaster or emergency declarations.
(Sec. 689h) Amends the Stafford Act to include education within the definition of "critical services" for which the President may contribute assistance to private nonprofit facilities.
(Sec. 689i) Directs the President, acting through the Administrator, to conduct a pilot program to make better use of existing rental housing in areas covered by a major disaster declaration where alternative temporary housing options are less available or less cost-effective.
Authorizes the Administrator to:
(1) enter into lease agreements with owners of multi-family rental property to house eligible individuals and households;
(2) make improvements to properties under such agreements; and
(3) limit repairs to those required to meet federal housing quality standards.
(Sec. 689j) Directs the President, acting through the Administrator, to conduct a pilot program to:
(1) reduce the costs to the federal government of providing public assistance to states and local governments under the Stafford Act;
(2) increase flexibility in the administration of that Act; and
(3) expedite the provision of assistance to states and local governments.
(Sec. 689k) Provides for the disposal of FEMA temporary housing units not used to house individuals or households under the Stafford Act after the date of enactment of this Act, in coordination with the Department of the Interior or other appropriate agencies in order to transfer such units to tribal governments if appropriate.