§ 2715. — Procedures regarding major disasters and incidents abroad affecting United States citizens.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 22USC2715]
TITLE 22--FOREIGN RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSE
CHAPTER 38--DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Sec. 2715. Procedures regarding major disasters and incidents
abroad affecting United States citizens
(a) Authority
In the case of a major disaster or incident abroad which affects the
health and safety of citizens of the United States residing or traveling
abroad, the Secretary of State shall provide prompt and thorough
notification of all appropriate information concerning such disaster or
incident and its effect on United States citizens to the next-of-kin of
such individuals. Notification shall be provided through the most
expeditious means available, including telephone communications, and
shall include timely written notice. The Secretary, through the
appropriate offices of the Department of State, shall act as a
clearinghouse for up-to-date information for the next-of-kin and shall
provide other services and assistance. Assistance shall include liaison
with foreign governments and persons and with United States air carriers
concerning arrangements for the preparation and transport to the United
States of the remains of citizens who die abroad, as well as disposition
of personal estates pursuant to section 2715c of this title.
(b) Definitions
For purposes of this section and sections 2715b and 2715c of this
title, the term ``consular officer'' includes any United States citizen
employee of the Department of State who is designated by the Secretary
of State to perform consular services pursuant to such regulations as
the Secretary may prescribe.
(Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 841, title I, Sec. 43, as added Pub. L. 101-246,
title I, Sec. 115(c)(2), Feb. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 23; amended Pub. L.
106-113, div. B, Sec. 1000(a)(7) [div. A, title II, Sec. 235], Nov. 29,
1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-429.)
Prior Provisions
A prior section 43 of act Aug. 1, 1956, was renumbered section 44 by
section 115(c)(1) of Pub. L. 101-246, and subsequently renumbered, and
set out as a Short Title of 1956 Amendment note under section 2651 of
this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102-138, title I, Sec. 111(1),
Oct. 28, 1991, 105 Stat. 654.
Amendments
1999--Pub. L. 106-113 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a),
inserted subsec. heading, substituted ``disposition of personal estates
pursuant to section 2715c of this title'' for ``disposition of personal
effects'', and added subsec. (b).
Development of Standardized Procedures
Section 115(d) of Pub. L. 101-246 provided that:
``(1) The Secretary of State shall enter into discussions with
international air carriers and other appropriate entities to develop
standardized procedures which will assist the Secretary in implementing
the provisions of section 43 of the State Department Basic Authorities
Act of 1956, as amended by subsection (c) [22 U.S.C. 2715].
``(2) The Secretary of State shall consider the feasibility of
establishing a toll-free telephone number to facilitate inquiries by the
next-of-kin in cases of major disasters or incidents abroad which affect
the health and safety of citizens of the United States residing or
traveling abroad.''
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in sections 2715c, 5503, 5507 of this
title.
