Safe Shelters Act of 2025
The Safe Shelters Act of 2025 would reorganize shelter access during disasters by restricting covered sex offenders from using undesignated emergency shelters and channeling them toward FEMA-designated shelters. Under the bill, a covered sex offender would be prohibited from entering or using any emergency shelter that is not designated specifically for such offenders, with an obligation to notify shelter operators that they are required to be on the National Sex Offender Registry. Shelter operators must inform offenders about designated shelters and the prohibition. Violations could incur fines and up to five years in prison. The act also authorizes the FEMA Administrator to designate certain federal buildings or federal prisons as designated shelters for the duration of a specified disaster, using lists of available buildings or prisons provided by the General Services Administration and the Bureau of Prisons. The designation process includes a 180-day deadline for identities to be compiled and for information to be distributed to shelter operators. Definitions cover terms like “covered sex offender,” “designated shelter,” and “undesignated shelter.” The measure becomes effective 180 days after enactment.
Key Points
- 1Prohibition on undesignated shelters: A covered sex offender may not enter or use an undesignated emergency shelter, except to seek information about designated shelters; offenders must immediately notify shelter operators of their need to register.
- 2Information and guidance requirement: Shelter operators who are notified must inform the offender about designated shelters and the prohibition against using undesignated shelters.
- 3Penalties for noncompliance: Violators who knowingly fail to comply with the prohibitions or notification requirements can be fined, imprisoned for up to five years, or both, under federal law.
- 4FEMA designation authority: The FEMA Administrator may designate federal buildings or federal prisons as designated shelters for the duration of a disaster, as determined by the Administrator.
- 5Designation process and information sharing: GSA and the Bureau of Prisons must compile lists of eligible federal buildings and prisons within 180 days and thereafter; FEMA must distribute information about designated shelters to operators of undesignated shelters.