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Managing America: Disaster Relief

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Week Ending November 9, 2007

H.R.3495 To establish a National Commission on Children and Disasters, a National Resource Center on Children and Disasters, and for other purposes.

The bill establishes the National Commission on Children and Disasters to assess facts and causes relating to children’s needs before, during and after disasters and emergencies. To be assessed in particular are physical and mental health and welfare, education, housing, juvenile justice, transportation, evacuation, emergency mitigation. Preparedness, response and recovery activities.

The Commission will evaluate existing relevant law and what has been learned from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, 9-11 and other disasters over the past ten years regarding Federal, State and local government responses and programs. The Commission will report its findings to the President and Congress.

The Director of Health and Human Services will establish the National Resource Center on Children and Disasters that will then establish a clearinghouse for information and resources relating to children’s need and develop an maintain a website and other ways of disseminating information on those issues.

The Director will also coordinate with Homeland Security, the Departments of Education, Housing and Urban Development and Transportation.

8 Commission members will be appointed by the President, Senate and House leaders and will include members from the non-profit industries with expertise as well as State and local emergency managers and others. Experience is required in providing services to children, emergency management, philanthropic experience and with donating goods and services to meet the needs of children. Other Commission member qualifications include those with academic research in areas related to the Commission’s responsibilities.

The Commission will submit its final report in 24 months and disband.

Sponsor:  Rep. Corrine Brown (D-FL-3^rd)

Vote: Passed House 402 to 8 November 6, 20078 RC 1043

Cost to the taxpayers: $2 million yearly for 2008 and 2009.

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