Disaster evacuation and emergency housing

What this component proposes

Plan for service-dog team continuity during disasters, evacuations and emergency sheltering.

• Integrate qualified teams into evacuation and shelter plans.
• Provide safe relief, supplies and temporary housing arrangements.
• Establish non-separation and reunification procedures whenever feasible.

Current federal law and proposed change

This component describes a proposed reform, not an enacted federal requirement. Existing protections depend on the setting and may arise under the ADA, Rehabilitation Act, Fair Housing Act, Air Carrier Access Act, veterans' benefits laws or state law. The general DOJ references below explain ADA public-access rules only; they do not establish every setting-specific rule or endorse this proposal. A component-specific, source-cited legal comparison is still required.

Primary federal references

• U.S. DOJ: ADA Service Animals FAQ (general public-access baseline)
• U.S. DOJ: ADA Service Animals Requirements

These sources explain general ADA public-access guidance, not every setting-specific rule. They do not endorse this legislative proposal. A full cross-statute legal analysis is still in development.

Implementation and legal questions

• Disaster facilities may face capacity, contamination or safety constraints.
• Emergency planning must also address other residents' disabilities and needs.

Questions for working teams and stakeholders

1. What disaster-response gaps have teams encountered?
2. Which supplies and protocols should shelters maintain?

Feedback is welcome from owner-trained and professionally trained teams, including people who oppose mandatory registration. Please reference Component 23 in your response.

Content status: consultation summary. Detailed source-by-source legal verification remains pending. This is not final bill text, a legal opinion, or a representation that any government agency has endorsed the initiative.