Introduced in Senate (01/13/2022)

Achieving Equity in Disaster Response, Recovery, and Resilience Act of 2022

This bill establishes an Office of Civil Rights, Equity, and Community Inclusion within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The office shall be responsible for

• improving underserved community access to disaster assistance and improving the quality of assistance such communities receive;
• reviewing FEMA preparedness, response, and recovery programs and activities to ensure the elimination of disparities in the delivery of such programs and activities to underserved communities; and
• carrying out responsibilities of the previous Office of Equal Rights.

The bill defines underserved community to mean an historically disadvantaged community, including the Native American, African-American, Asian, Hispanic, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern and North African, and rural communities, as well as low-income and disability communities.

The bill establishes within the office a Disability Coordinator to ensure that the needs of disabled individuals are being addressed in emergency preparedness and disaster relief.

The office shall develop measures to evaluate the effectiveness of its activities aimed at reducing disparities in services provided to underserved communities.

During the period of time for which there is a major disaster or emergency declared by the President with respect to COVID-19, the office shall regularly consult with state, local, territorial, and tribal government officials and community-based organizations from underserved communities that it identifies as disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.