Law Will Advocate For Kids During Natural Disasters: NJ Congressman

NEW JERSEY — When a natural disaster hits, authorities with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will have to keep the needs of children in mind as they hash out their recovery plans under a new law, a congressman from New Jersey says.

On Monday, U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr. of the state’s 10th district announced that a bill he spearheaded, HR4426, has been signed into law by President Joe Biden.

According to Payne’s office, here’s what the new law will do:

“In addition to the feedback from the organizations, the new law directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to identify and integrate the needs of children into all emergency preparation, protection, response and recovery activities dealing with natural and man-made disasters as well as terrorist actions. It will create a new position of Children's Technical Expert within FEMA to guarantee that the needs of children are addressed and considered during these agency activities.”

Payne said he introduced the bill because hundreds to thousands of children can lose their parents, face food insecurity, and become homeless after floods, hurricanes and other extreme weather catastrophes.

“We must make the safety and well-being of children a top priority when we plan for natural and man-made disasters,” Payne said. “Children suffer the most when these tragedies occur in communities. We must have a strategic and comprehensive plan to handle their needs before, during and after any emergency.”

“We have a moral obligation to protect the next generation from harm during these catastrophic events,” Payne added.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site.