Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, introduced the ‘Safe Shelters Act of 2024’ bill aimed at prohibiting registered sex offenders from sharing emergency shelters with women and children after disasters.
The proposed legislation, inspired by similar restrictions in Florida, seeks to safeguard women and children by preventing predators from exploiting chaotic, post-disaster environments in shelters.
What she’s saying: Mace emphasized the importance of sanctuaries over hunting grounds for predators during crises.
- “Women and girls are 3.5 times more likely to experience sexual violence in chaotic, post-disaster environments,” Mace said. “Women and children deserve safety, protection, and peace of mind. Our bill will make sure disaster shelters remain a place of refuge for those in their most vulnerable state.”
The big picture: The bill entails federal penalties like fines and imprisonment for non-compliance with the shelter restrictions, and has garnered bipartisan support from co-sponsors including Reps. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.), Randy Weber (R-Texas) and Lauren Boebert (R-Colo).
- Mace’s initiative was prompted following an alleged physical attack she experienced on Capitol Hill, reaffirming her staunch stance against incidents of aggression and intimidation from those with differing ideologies.
Flashback: In addition to the shelter bill, Rep. Mace previously introduced controversial legislation regarding bathroom usage based on biological sex and resolutions targeting gender-appropriate facilities on federal property and Capitol grounds.
