Title 22Foreign Relations and IntercourseRelease 119-73not60

§5503 Department of State Notification of Families of Victims

Title 22 › Chapter 64— UNITED STATES RESPONSE TO TERRORISM AFFECTING AMERICANS ABROAD › § 5503

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Department of State must quickly and directly tell the families of U.S. citizens who were hurt or killed in airplane disasters abroad, including giving timely written notice. The Secretary of State must make sure the Department does this even if someone else has already notified the family. No later than 60 days after November 16, 1990, the Secretary must issue the rules, guidelines, and circulars needed to put this policy into effect.

Full Legal Text

Title 22, §5503

Foreign Relations and Intercourse — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)It is the policy of the Department of State pursuant to section 2715 of this title to directly and promptly notify the families of victims of aviation disasters abroad concerning citizens of the United States directly affected by such a disaster, including timely written notice. The Secretary of State shall ensure that such notification by the Department of State is carried out notwithstanding notification by any other person.
(b)Not later than 60 days after November 16, 1990, the Secretary of State shall issue such regulations, guidelines, and circulars as are necessary to ensure that the policy under subsection (a) is fully implemented.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

22 U.S.C. § 5503

Title 22Foreign Relations and Intercourse

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60