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H.R. 3826House115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

Protecting Seniors During Disasters Act

Sponsored by Lois FrankelRep. Lois Frankel (D-FL)
Introduced September 25, 2017

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 6:07 PM UTC

The Protecting Seniors During Disasters Act amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a National Advisory Committee focused on the needs of older adults during emergencies. The committee will provide advice to federal agencies on preparedness, response, and recovery for seniors, and will include a mix of federal officials, health‑care experts, and state or tribal representatives. It is designed to improve coordination and guidance for senior‑focused disaster planning and will operate until September 2021.

Key Provisions

  • Creates a National Advisory Committee on Seniors and Disasters within the Public Health Service Act.
  • The committee, appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in consultation with other secretaries), can have up to 15 members, including senior federal officials, health‑care professionals, and state/tribal representatives.
  • Its duties are to advise on seniors’ medical and public‑health needs before, during, and after all‑hazard emergencies, and to coordinate with state emergency‑preparedness activities, drills, and related grants.
  • The committee must meet at least twice a year and will automatically end on September 30, 2021.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

September 29, 2017

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 25, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

September 25, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

September 29, 2017

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued September 25, 2017

I

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3826

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 25, 2017

Ms. Frankel of Florida (for herself and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To amend title XXVIII of the Public Health Service Act to establish a National Advisory Committee on Seniors and Disasters.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Protecting Seniors During Disasters Act.

2.

National Advisory Committee on Seniors and Disasters

Subtitle B of title XXVIII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 2811A the following:

2811B.

National Advisory Committee on Seniors and Disasters

(a)

Establishment

The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall establish an advisory committee to be known as the National Advisory Committee on Seniors and Disasters (referred to in this section as the Advisory Committee).

(b)

Duties

The Advisory Committee shall—

(1)

provide advice and consultation with respect to the activities carried out pursuant to section 2814, as applicable and appropriate;

(2)

evaluate and provide input with respect to the medical and public health needs of seniors as they relate to preparation for, response to, and recovery from all-hazards emergencies; and

(3)

provide advice and consultation with respect to State emergency preparedness and response activities and seniors, including related drills and exercises pursuant to the preparedness goals under section 2802(b).

(c)

Additional duties

The Advisory Committee may provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary with respect to seniors and the medical and public health grants and cooperative agreements as applicable to preparedness and response activities authorized under this title and title III.

(d)

Membership

(1)

In general

The Secretary, in consultation with such other Secretaries as may be appropriate, shall appoint not to exceed 15 members to the Advisory Committee. In appointing such members, the Secretary shall ensure that the total membership of the Advisory Committee is an odd number.

(2)

Required members

The Secretary, in consultation with such other Secretaries as may be appropriate, may appoint to the Advisory Committee under paragraph (1) such individuals as may be appropriate to perform the duties described in subsections (b) and (c), which may include—

(A)

the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response;

(B)

the Director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority;

(C)

the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;

(D)

the Commissioner of Food and Drugs;

(E)

the Director of the National Institutes of Health;

(F)

the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services;

(G)

the Administrator for Community Living;

(H)

the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency;

(I)

the Under Secretary for Health, Veterans Health Administration;

(J)

at least two non-Federal health care professionals with expertise in medical disaster planning, preparedness, response, or recovery;

(K)

at least two representatives from State, local, territorial, or tribal agencies with expertise in disaster planning, preparedness, response, or recovery; and

(L)

representatives from such Federal agencies (such as the Department of Energy and the Department of Homeland Security) as determined necessary to fulfill the duties of the Advisory Committee, as established under subsections (b) and (c).

(e)

Meetings

The Advisory Committee shall meet not less than biannually.

(f)

Sunset

The Advisory Committee shall terminate on September 30, 2021.

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