Bill > S3685

This bill establishes a permanent unit within the State Office of Emergency Management to specifically address the needs of residents with access and functional needs during disasters and emergencies. This unit will be responsible for identifying the needs of these residents before, during, and after emergencies, assessing the availability of resources, ensuring these residents can access assistance, and coordinating with local emergency management offices and other providers to implement best practices. The unit will be staffed by a supervisor and three full-time planners to cover the northern, central, and southern regions of the state. "Residents with access and functional needs" is defined to include individuals with disabilities, older adults, those with limited English proficiency, and people facing challenges with transportation or financial resources that could hinder their ability to prepare for, respond to, recover from, or mitigate the effects of a disaster or emergency. The bill highlights the disproportionate impact of events like the COVID-19 pandemic on these vulnerable populations and emphasizes the urgency of protecting them.