§1741a Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs

Summary

The President must appoint a Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, with the Senate’s approval. The Envoy reports to the Secretary of State and has the rank of ambassador. The Envoy leads U.S. diplomatic work on hostage cases, coordinates diplomatic strategy and actions to recover Americans taken hostage, works with the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell and the Hostage Response Group, handles cases where a foreign government is holding a U.S. national unlawfully or wrongly, and makes sure families get updates about case developments and government policy. The Envoy’s office must include a Family Engagement Coordinator. That person makes sure all government contact with family members is coordinated, that families get consistent and accurate information, and that this work is coordinated with the family liaison in the Fusion Cell so it is not duplicated.