§5506 Department of State Responsibilities and Procedures at International Disaster Site

Summary

Not later than 60 days after November 16, 1990, the Secretary of State must create rules so that when an international disaster—especially a plane crash—affects many U.S. citizens abroad, at least one senior officer from the Bureau of Consular Affairs is sent to the scene. The Secretary must also set criteria for who decides staffing at disaster sites and must quickly issue rules to put those criteria into practice. Not later than 60 days after November 16, 1990, the Secretary must make rules so at least one Department of State officer or employee goes to aviation disaster sites to help families who come to the scene and to act as a liaison with foreign officials and social services. The Secretary must also create procedures for sending a "crisis team"—which may include public affairs, forensic, and bereavement experts—to support embassy and consulate staff, and must promptly issue rules to implement those procedures.