Use of disaster response funds

Section 615 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5196d) is amended— (1) by striking Funds made available and inserting the following: (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Access and functional needs The term access and functional needs, used with respect to an individual, means an individual with needs such as— (A) an individual with a disability; (B) an older adult; (C) an individual with limited English proficiency; (D) an individual with limited access to transportation that would enable the individual to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate an emergency or major disaster; or (E) an individual with limited access to the financial resources that would enable the individual to prepare for, respond to, recover from, or mitigate an emergency or major disaster. (2) Center for independent living The term center for independent living has the meaning given that term in section 702 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 796a). (3) Covered recipient (A) In general The term covered recipient means a direct or indirect recipient of funds made available under this title for a covered use of funds. (B) Exclusion The term covered recipient does not include individuals or households. (4) Covered use of funds The term covered use of funds means the use of funds for the preparation for, response to, recovery from, or mitigation of hazards. (5) Individual with a disability (A) Single The term individual with a disability means an individual with a disability, as defined in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102). (B) Plural The term individuals with disabilities means more than 1 individual with a disability, as defined in subparagraph (A). (6) Older adult The term older adult means an individual who is age 50 or older. (7) Visitability standards The term visitability standards means standards for Type C (Visitable) Units under the Standards for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities (ICC A117.1–2009), or any successor standards, of the American National Standards Institutes. (b) Use of funds generally Funds made available; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (c) Advisory committees A covered recipient shall ensure that an advisory committee that includes individuals with disabilities, older adults, and other individuals with access and functional needs shall oversee the use of funds made available under this title to the covered recipient. (d) Compliance with disability laws A covered recipient shall use funds made available under this title in accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.) and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.). (e) Centers for independent living A covered recipient may contract with 1 or more centers for independent living to— (1) prepare for hazards; (2) provide personal assistance services during response and recovery periods; (3) identify accessible emergency shelters and adapt emergency shelters to be accessible; (4) develop accessible media, including media using American Sign Language; and (5) meet other needs for individuals with disabilities, older adults, and individuals with access and functional needs. (f) Contractors A nongovernmental organization that enters into a contract with a covered recipient relating to a covered use of funds shall comply with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.) and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) in providing property or services under the contract. (g) Communications Communications relating to a covered use of funds by a covered recipient shall be made available in languages, including American Sign Language and other sign languages, used in the communities receiving the communications. (h) Accessibility A covered recipient shall ensure each facility or service made available in connection with a covered use of funds is accessible to individuals with disabilities, older adults, and other individuals with access and functional needs, including— (1) notifications relating to a hazard; (2) evacuation notifications; (3) notifications relating to disaster services; and (4) emergency shelters. (i) Visitability A covered recipient that, as part of a covered use of funds, constructs or prepares dwelling units (including sleeping units) shall ensure that the dwelling units meet visitability standards..