
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 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.
