Title 22 — Foreign Relations and Intercourse
Chapter 38 — Department of State
§ 2715. Procedures regarding major disasters and incidents abroad affecting United States citizens
Statutory text
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.
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.
Legislative history
Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.
Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991
Pub. L. 101–246 title I § 115(c)(2) · 104 Stat. 15
Enacted · 22 U.S.C. § 2715
Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 841, title I, § 43, as added Pub. L. 101–246, title I, § 115(c)(2), Feb. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 23
Source evidence
Code source credit
Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 841, title I, § 43, as added Pub. L. 101–246, title I, § 115(c)(2), Feb. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 23Enacted provision · exact public law section
(2) by adding after section 42 the following new section: “SEC. 43. PROCEDURES REGARDING MAJOR DISASTERS AND INCIDENTS ABROAD AFFECTING UNITED STATES CITIZENS. “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 Aircraft and air carriers. 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 effects.”.District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2000
Pub. L. 106–113 div. B § 1000(a)(7)(dA)(tII)(s235) · 113 Stat. 1501
Amended · 22 U.S.C. § 2715
Pub. L. 106–113 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a)
Inserted · 22 U.S.C. § 2715
Pub. L. 106–113 inserted subsec. heading
Substituted · 22 U.S.C. § 2715
Pub. L. 106–113 substituted “disposition of personal estates pursuant to section 2715c of this title” for “disposition of personal effects”
Added · 22 U.S.C. § 2715
Pub. L. 106–113 added subsec. (b)
Source evidence
Code amendment note
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).
1 of 5 references resolved to an enrolled provision · 4 partial
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 43 of act , 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, § 111(1), , 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).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Development of Standardized Procedures
Pub. L. 101–246, title I, § 115(d), , 104 Stat. 23, 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.”
Credits
1956–1999 · 2 acts
- 1956Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 841, title I, § 43, as added Pub. L. 101–246, title I, § 115(c)(2), , 104 Stat. 23
- 1999amended Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(7) [div. A, title II, § 235], , 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–429.
Show as published
(Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 841, title I, § 43, as added Pub. L. 101–246, title I, § 115(c)(2), , 104 Stat. 23; amended Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(7) [div. A, title II, § 235], , 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–429.)