Sponsors (14)
The bill aims to improve and accelerate disaster-related behavioral-health assistance through clarified roles, inclusion of private providers, and enhanced oversight, but it raises implementation and coordination risks and will cost federal and state actors time and money.
People with disaster-related mental health or substance use needs will get more timely, tailored behavioral-health assistance because the bill clarifies state/local roles, updates FEMA forms/guidance, and explicitly includes private/nonprofit providers in response plans.
State and local emergency managers will have improved FEMA application forms and guidance that incorporate behavioral health and substance-use considerations, making it easier to apply for and receive appropriate disaster assistance.
Inclusion of private mental health organizations as authorized participants in post-disaster response can speed up service delivery through nonprofit and contracted partners.
Taxpayers and state governments could face higher implementation and administrative costs to meet new behavioral-health response requirements and to produce required reviews and guidance updates.
The changes could create ambiguity about authority and coordination among the President, federal agencies, states, localities, and private providers, complicating disaster response until clarified by regulation or guidance.
The 180-day deadline for FEMA to revise guidance risks rushing implementation and producing incomplete or frequently revised guidance that may confuse applicants and grantees.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Amends Stafford Act crisis counseling law to address addiction after disasters and requires FEMA and GAO reviews and reports on program guidance, duration, and compliance.
Official title: To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President to provide substance use and alcohol use disorder services, and for other purposes.
Introduced November 21, 2025 by Becca Balint · Last progress November 21, 2025
Amends the Stafford Act crisis counseling authority to add unspecified text intended to address addiction and substance use issues after major disasters, and directs FEMA to update applications and guidance accordingly. It also requires FEMA to consult with federal and state substance-use officials and report changes to Congress within 180 days, and directs the Comptroller General to review and report on the crisis counseling program’s duration of assistance and whether FEMA is limiting use to disaster‑caused or aggravated mental health and substance use problems.