What This Bill Does · Plain English
Summary · Congress.gov
Don’t Penalize Victims Act This bill enables persons receiving funds from a federal disaster assistance program to also receive funds for that same purpose from any other source except for another federal program or insurance. Under current law, federal agencies providing financial assistance for losses resulting from a major disaster or emergency are prohibited from allowing recipients to receive other funds for that same purpose from any other source. Persons seeking federal disaster assistance must report the availability or receipt of duplicative funds and federal agencies will reduce the amount of disaster assistance accordingly to prevent a duplication of benefits. The bill narrows the duplication restriction to apply only to funds from other federal programs or insurance, so federal agencies providing disaster assistance may allow recipients to also receive funds for that same purpose from any other sources (e.g., charitable gifts, legal claims).
Action Timeline
2025-03-21
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
2025-03-21
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
2025-03-21
Introduced in House
2025-03-21
Introduced in House
Frequently Asked Questions
Did HR.2254 pass?
HR.2254 is still alive. Current stage: COMMITTEE. Pass likelihood: 34%.
What does HR.2254 do?
Don’t Penalize Victims Act This bill enables persons receiving funds from a federal disaster assistance program to also receive funds for that same purpose from any other source except for another federal program or insurance. Under current law, federal agencies providing financial assistance for losses resulting from a major disaster or emergency are prohibited from allowing recipients to receive other funds for that same purpose from any other source. Persons seeking federal disaster assistance must report the availability or receipt of duplicative funds and federal agencies will reduce the …
Who sponsored HR.2254?
HR.2254 was sponsored by Laura Friedman (D-California).
Full Bill Text
119 HR 2254 IH: Don’t Penalize Victims Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-03-21 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2254 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 21, 2025 Ms. Friedman (for herself, Mr. Ezell , Mr. Carbajal , Ms. Chu , Mr. Harder of California , Mr. Mullin , Ms. Brownley , Mrs. Torres of California , Mr. Whitesides , and Mr. Sherman ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to make certain changes with respect to duplication of benefits, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Don’t Penalize Victims Act . 2. Duplication of benefits Section 312(a) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5155(a) ) is amended by striking or any other source .
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