ENHANCEMENT OF EVACUATION CAPABILITY AND PROCEDURES REGARDING MAJOR DISASTERS AND INCIDENTS ABROAD AFFECTING UNITED STATES CITIZENS.

SEC. 115. ENHANCEMENT OF EVACUATION CAPABILITY AND PROCEDURES REGARDING MAJOR DISASTERS AND INCIDENTS ABROAD AFFECTING UNITED STATES CITIZENS. (a) Responsibility of Secretary of State.— Section 102(b) of the Diplomatic Security Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4801(b)) is amended— (1) by striking out “and” at the end of paragraph (4); (2) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); (3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new paragraph: “(5) to set forth the responsibility of the Secretary of State with respect to the safe and efficient evacuation of United States Government personnel, their dependents, and private United States citizens when their lives are endangered by war, civil unrest, or natural disaster; and”. (b) Development and Implementation of Policies.— Section 103 of the Diplomatic Security Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4802) is amended— (1) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections (c) and (d), respectively; (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsection: “(b) Overseas Evacuations.— The Secretary of State shall develop and implement policies and programs to provide for the safe and efficient evacuation of United States Government personnel, dependents, and private United States citizens when their lives are104 STAT. 23 endangered. Such policies shall include measures to identify high risk areas where evacuation may be necessary and, where appropriate, providing staff to United States Government missions abroad to assist in those evacuations. In carrying out these responsibilities, the Secretary shall— “(1) develop a model contingency plan for evacuation of personnel, dependents, and United States citizens from foreign countries; “(2) develop a mechanism whereby United States citizens can voluntarily request to be placed on a list in order to be contacted in the event of an evacuation, or which, in the event of an evacuation, can maintain information on the location of United States citizens in high risk areas submitted by their relatives; “(3) assess the transportation and communications resources in the area being evacuated and determine the logistic support needed for the evacuation; and “(4) develop a plan for coordinating communications between embassy staff, Department of State personnel, and families of United States citizens abroad regarding the whereabouts of those citizens.”. (c) Procedures Regarding Major Disasters and Incidents Abroad.— The State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2269 et seq.) is amended— (1) by redesignating section 43 as section 44; and (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 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.”. (d) Development of Standardized Procedures.— (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). (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. 104 STAT. 24 (e) Report to Congress.— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall prepare and submit a report to the Congress which sets forth plans for the implementation of the amendment made by subsection (c) and the provisions of subsection (d)(1), together with the Secretary’s comments concerning the proposal under subsection (d)(2).