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Bill117th CongressFiled Jul 21, 2022Emergency Management
S. 4599

Disaster Assistance Simplification Act

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary reported to senate (Sep 27, 2022)

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 just happenedSep 27, 2022

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

Who’s behind it

Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI](D-MI)Sponsor
1 cosponsor1 R
Read on Congress.gov
1cosponsors1committees6actions14subjects
  1. Sep 27, 2022Calendars

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

  2. Sep 27, 2022Committee

    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.

    Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
  3. Sep 27, 2022Committee14000

    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.

    Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
  4. Aug 3, 2022Committee

    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
  5. Jul 21, 2022IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

    Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
  6. Jul 21, 2022IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Reported to SenateSep 27, 202225

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.

Introduced in SenateJul 21, 2022

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
  • detect, prevent, and investigate 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 the data security standards and best practices of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, (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.

Disaster Assistance Simplification Act — Informed