Safe Shelters for Survivors Act of 2026

The Safe Shelters for Survivors Act of 2026 would

bar anyone who has to register as a sex offender from entering or using the services of domestic violence and homeless shelters that receive federal funds, and it would cut off federal money to shelters that do not comply

.

It also makes it a crime, punishable by up to five years in prison, for such a person to enter a covered shelter or fail to tell staff about their registry status if they do

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Supporters argue that this will protect abuse survivors and homeless families in already vulnerable situations by keeping known offenders out of close living spaces

. However,

research and advocacy groups note that people on sex offender registries already face major housing barriers and are over-represented among the homeless, and that past housing restrictions have often increased homelessness without clearly lowering reoffense rates

. The bill is currently in its early stages and has not yet received committee action.