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Kids in Disasters bill now in Senate

Emergency Management Alert, December 4, 2007

A bill to establish a national commission on children and disasters, the Kids in Disasters Well-being, Safety, and Health Act of 2007, HR 3495, has moved quickly since its introduction in September and is currently in the Senate.

According to a post on the Web site, Washington Watch, the bill shall (1) assess facts and causes relating to the needs of children before, during, and after all hazards, disasters, and emergencies, including child health and welfare, affordable housing, and juvenile justice needs and emergency mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery activities; (2) evaluate existing law relevant to such needs; (3) evaluate lessons learned from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and any other relevant disaster of the past 10 years regarding policies of federal, state, and local governments and nongovernmental entities relative to addressing such needs; and (4) report to the President and Congress.

The bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a National Resource Center on Children and Disasters, which shall: (1) establish a clearinghouse for information and resources on issues relating to such needs; and (2) develop and maintain a Web site and related systems for disseminating information on such issues.

It directs the Secretary to (1) collaborate with any executive department and specified parties responsible for policies and regulations relevant to such needs; and (2) enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretaries of Homeland Security, Education, Housing and Urban Development, and Transportation and the Attorney General to collaborate on the functions of the Center.

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