§ 7305 — Individual and family assistance

(a) Grants by Federal Government.--Whenever the President, at the request of the Governor, has declared a major disaster or emergency to exist in this Commonwealth, the Governor is authorized:

(1) Upon determining that assistance under The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Public Law 93-288, 42 U.S.C. § 5121 et seq.), and from other means is insufficient to meet the disaster-related necessary expenses or serious needs of individuals or families adversely affected by a major disaster, to accept a grant from the Federal Government for the purpose of meeting the expenses or needs of disaster victims, subject to any terms and conditions imposed upon the grant.

(2) To enter into an agreement with the Federal Government or any Federal agency or officer pledging the Commonwealth to participate in the funding of the assistance authorized in paragraph (1) and, if Commonwealth funds are not otherwise available to the Governor, to accept an advance of the Commonwealth share from the Federal Government to be repaid when the Commonwealth is able to do so.

(b) Grants by Governor.--To implement subsection (a), the Governor is authorized to make grants to meet disaster-related necessary expenses or serious needs of individuals or families adversely affected by a major disaster declared by the President. Any grant shall not exceed the amount authorized by The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act or by applicable State law to an individual or family in any single major disaster.

(c) Penalty for false application.--Any person who fraudulently or willfully makes a misstatement of fact in connection with an application for assistance under this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

Legislative History

(May 31, 1996, 2nd Sp.Sess., P.L.1762, No.2, eff. imd.)