Bills · HR 1205
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 1205Government buildings, facilities, and propertySex offenses
Safe Shelters Act of 2025
INTRO FEB 11· LAST ACTION FEB 11
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
4
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it fundamentally changes how emergency shelters operate during disasters by segregating certain populations. If passed, registered sex offenders would no longer be allowed in general shelters, potentially impacting their access to aid and creating a distinct system for their accommodation. This could lead to questions about the resources and locations for these separate shelters, and how effectively information about them would be disseminated.
If the bill does not pass, current practices would continue, meaning registered sex offenders would still be able to access general emergency shelters, often under existing local safety protocols. The bill aims to address safety concerns by creating separate facilities, a change that could be seen as either enhancing safety for vulnerable populations or as creating an additional logistical challenge during already chaotic disaster responses.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Prohibits covered sex offenders from entering or using services of undesignated (regular) emergency shelters, except to seek information on designated shelters.
This provision creates a legal barrier preventing registered sex offenders from co-mingling with the general population in most emergency shelters.
PROVISION 02
Requires covered sex offenders to immediately notify shelter operators if they enter an undesignated shelter.
This ensures transparency and allows shelter staff to provide necessary information or enforce the prohibition.
PROVISION 03
Authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to designate federal buildings or prisons as emergency shelters specifically for covered sex offenders.
This establishes a framework for creating separate facilities to house registered sex offenders during disasters, addressing the need for alternative accommodation.
PROVISION 04
Establishes a penalty of a fine, imprisonment for up to 5 years, or both, for covered sex offenders who knowingly violate the prohibition or notification requirements.
This provision provides legal enforcement for the new restrictions, making non-compliance a criminal offense.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 4
R· South Carolina
YRS IN OFFICE
5
BILLS LED
103
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 0 REP 4 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTSFEB 11
Introduced in House
FEB 11
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
FEB 11
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 1205
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedFeb 11, 2025
Last actionFeb 11, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 11, 2025
House BillHR 1205Government buildings, facilities, and propertySex offenses
Safe Shelters Act of 2025
INTRODUCED FEB 11, 2025· LAST ACTION FEB 11, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
4 min
COSPONSORS
4
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
