# Summary of H.R. 9693, SAFE for Survivors Act of 2024
The SAFE for Survivors Act is comprehensive legislation designed to help survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking maintain economic independence and employment security. The bill recognizes that abuse often includes economic control that prevents survivors from working, and it establishes several new federal protections and benefits.
The bill requires employers to provide employees with at least 40 work days of leave per year to address violence-related needs, including 10 paid days. Employees can use this time to seek legal assistance, medical care, counseling, childcare arrangements, housing solutions, or other safety planning activities. Employers cannot retaliate against employees for requesting or using this leave, and employees maintain their health insurance and job position while on leave. The bill also prohibits predispute arbitration agreements that would prevent survivors from pursuing claims related to employment rights.
Beyond employment leave, the legislation creates additional protections in three main areas. First, it prevents employers and insurers from discriminating against survivors when making hiring, promotion, or insurance coverage decisions, and requires employers to provide reasonable workplace safety accommodations like schedule changes or modified work locations. Second, it allows survivors to qualify for unemployment benefits when they voluntarily leave jobs due to violence. Third, it prohibits insurers from denying, canceling, or raising rates on health, life, disability, or other insurance policies because someone is a victim of violence.
The bill authorizes grants to support workplace response programs and victim services organizations, requires states to educate unemployment officials about violence dynamics, and mandates a national public awareness campaign about survivor rights. While the legislation does not specify total funding amounts, it authorizes appropriations for the education and training programs through fiscal year 2029. Most provisions take effect upon enactment, though states have until January 1, 2027, to implement unemployment compensation changes.