---
kind: "section"
citation: "22 U.S.C. § 5503"
title: "22"
title_heading: "Foreign Relations and Intercourse"
number: "5503"
heading: "Department of State notification of families of victims"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/22/5503"
units:
  - "Chapter 64 — United States Response to Terrorism Affecting Americans Abroad"
---

# §5503. Department of State notification of families of victims

- (a) **Department of State policy—** It is the policy of the Department of State pursuant to [section 2715 of this title](/usc/22/2715.md) 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) **Department of State guidelines—** 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)](#a) is fully implemented.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 101–604, title II, § 204, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3083.)