Rep. Nancy Mace New Bill Would Ban Sex Offenders From Federally Funded Shelters, Protecting Survivors And The Homeless

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 20, 2026)- Today, Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) introduced the Safe Shelters for Survivors Act of 2026, legislation to prohibit individuals required to register on the National Sex Offender Registry under federal law from entering or receiving services at federally funded domestic violence and homeless shelters.

"Survivors fleeing abuse shouldn't have to look over their shoulder in the one place designed to keep them safe," said Congresswoman Mace."The last thing a woman escaping violence or a homeless family in crisis needs is to find a registered sex offender in the next bed. These federally funded shelters house our most vulnerable, and there is zero reason taxpayer dollars should ever fund a shelter housing a predator. Our bill makes sure it never does."

South Carolina ranks sixth in the nation for domestic violence, with many survivors depending on federally funded shelters each year for safety and stability. At the same time, on any given night, roughly 4,600 individuals experience homelessness across the state. These are the people the Safe Shelters for Survivors Act is designed to protect.

What the Safe Shelters for Survivors Act Would Do:

• Prohibit any domestic violence shelter or homeless shelter which receives federal funds from providing services or housing to individuals required to register on the National Sex Offender Registry under the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006.
• Make any shelter which fails to comply with this prohibition ineligible to receive federal funds during the following fiscal year.
• Prohibit covered sex offenders from entering or using the services of federally funded shelters, except for the limited purpose of seeking information about non-federally funded shelter alternatives.
• Require a covered sex offender who enters a federally funded shelter to immediately notify shelter personnel of their registration status.
• Authorize fines and/or imprisonment of up to five years for covered sex offenders who knowingly violate the entry or notification requirements.
• Allow shelter staff, upon receiving notice, to inform the individual of non-federally funded shelter options and the applicable prohibition.

The bill's provisions targeting sex offenders would take effect 180 days after enactment, giving shelters and communities time to prepare.

SEE BILL TEXT BELOW:

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