[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3753 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 3753

To establish a grant program to encourage fire stations to establish or 
   upgrade restroom, shower, and changing facilities to create more 
              equitable conditions for women firefighters.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           December 20, 2011

Ms. Richardson introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
              Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To establish a grant program to encourage fire stations to establish or 
   upgrade restroom, shower, and changing facilities to create more 
              equitable conditions for women firefighters.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Fairness In Restrooms Existing in 
Stations Act'' or the ``FIRE Stations Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) most fire stations in use were built and planned with a 
        single-gender workforce in mind;
            (2) more than 50 percent of fire departments do not have a 
        single woman on the department;
            (3) women make up approximately 3.7 percent of all 
        firefighters; and
            (4) a few fire departments still assign women only to 
        stations that have facilities for women, limiting the potential 
        for promotion and advancement for women.

SEC. 3. GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall make 
grants to eligible fire stations to enable such stations to establish 
or upgrade restroom, shower, and changing facilities to create more 
equitable conditions for women firefighters.
    (b) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this Act, 
a fire station shall submit an application to the Secretary of Homeland 
Security at such time and in such format as the Secretary determines 
demonstrating that--
            (1) the fire station has a commitment to increasing the 
        number of women firefighters;
            (2) no funds received by a grant will be used to displace 
        any personnel; and
            (3) such other criteria the Secretary considers 
        appropriate.
    (c) Priority.--Priority shall be given to fire stations that have 
chemical facilities, refineries, and other high-risk industries within 
their jurisdiction.
    (d) Amount.--Grants provided under this Act shall be in an amount 
determined by the Secretary based on the size and demonstrated need of 
the fire station and not to exceed $100,000.

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Homeland 
Security such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
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