--- kind: "section" citation: "42 U.S.C. § 5136a" title: "42" title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare" number: "5136a" heading: "Assistance and training for communities with technological hazards and related emerging threats" release: "119-102" date: "2026-07-12" url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/5136a" units: - "Chapter 68 — Disaster Relief" - "Subchapter II — Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Assistance" --- # §5136a. Assistance and training for communities with technological hazards and related emerging threats - (a) **In general—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) shall maintain the capacity to provide [States](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-9), local, and [Indian Tribal governments](/usc/42/5122.md?p=6) with technological [hazards](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-1) and related emerging threats technical assistance, training, and other preparedness programming to build community resilience to technological [hazards](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-1) and related emerging threats. - (b) **Authorities—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) shall carry out [subsection (a)](#a) in accordance with— - (1) the Robert T. Stafford [Disaster](/usc/42/5204.md?p=2) Relief and [Emergency](/usc/42/5122.md?p=1) Assistance Act ([42 U.S.C. 5121](/usc/42/5121.md) et seq.); - (2) [section 5196g of this title](/usc/42/5196g.md); and - (3) the Post-Katrina [Emergency](/usc/42/5122.md?p=1) Management Reform Act of 2006 (Public Law 109–295; 120 Stat. 1394). - (c) **Assessment and notification—** In carrying out [subsection (a)](#a), the [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) shall— - (1) use any available and appropriate multi-[hazard](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-1) risk assessment and mapping tools and capabilities to identify the communities that have the highest risk of and vulnerability to a technological [hazard](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-1) in each [State](/usc/42/5122.md?p=4); and - (2) ensure each [State](/usc/42/5122.md?p=4) and [Indian Tribal government](/usc/42/5122.md?p=6) is aware of— - (A) the communities identified under [paragraph (1)](#c-1); and - (B) the availability of programming under this section for— - (i) technological [hazards](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-1) and related emerging threats preparedness; and - (ii) building community capability. - (d) **Report—** Not later than 1 year after December 23, 2022, and annually thereafter, the [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report relating to— - (1) actions taken to implement this section; and - (2) technological [hazards](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-1) and related emerging threats preparedness programming provided under this section during the 1-year period preceding the date of submission of the report. - (e) **Consultation—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) of Homeland Security may seek continuing input relating to technological [hazards](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-1) and related emerging threats preparedness needs by consulting [State](/usc/42/5122.md?p=4), Tribal, territorial, and local [emergency](/usc/42/5122.md?p=1) services organizations and private sector stakeholders. - (f) **Coordination—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) of Homeland Security shall coordinate with the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) of Energy relating to technological [hazard](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-1) preparedness and training for a [hazard](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-1) that could result from activities or [facilities](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-6) authorized or licensed by the Department of Energy. - (g) **Non-duplication of effort—** In carrying out activities under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Administrator](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-7) shall ensure that such activities do not unnecessarily duplicate efforts of other Federal departments or [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), including programs within the Department of Health and Human Services. ## Source credit (Pub. L. 117–263, div. G, title LXXIII, § 7313, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3689.) ## Notes ### Editorial Notes ### References in Text The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), is Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables. The Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), is title VI of Pub. L. 109–295, Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1394. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 701 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and Tables. ### Codification Section was enacted as part of the Technological Hazards Preparedness and Training Act of 2022 and as part of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, and not as part of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act which comprises this chapter. ### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries ### Savings Provision Pub. L. 117–263, div. G, title LXXIII, § 7315, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3691, provided that: “Nothing in this subtitle [subtitle B (§§ 7311–7315) of title LXXIII of div. G of Pub. L. 117–263, see Short Title of 2022 Amendment note set out under section 5121 of this title] shall diminish or divert resources from— the full completion of federally-led chemical surety material storage missions or chemical demilitarization missions that are underway as of the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2022]; or any transitional activities or other community assistance incidental to the completion of the missions described in paragraph (1).” ### Definitions Pub. L. 117–263, div. G, title LXXIII, § 7312, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3689, provided that: “In this subtitle [subtitle B (§§ 7311–7315) of title LXXIII of div. G of Pub. L. 117–263, see Short Title of 2022 Amendment note set out under section 5121 of this title]: Administrator.—The term ‘Administrator’ means the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Indian tribal government.—The term ‘Indian Tribal government’ has the meaning given the term ‘Indian tribal government’ in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122). Local government; state.—The terms ‘local government’ and ‘State’ have the meanings given such terms in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122). Technological hazard and related emerging threat.—The term ‘technological hazard and related emerging threat’— means a hazard that involves materials created by humans that pose a unique hazard to the general public and environment and which may result from— an accident; an emergency caused by another hazard; or intentional use of the hazardous materials; and includes a chemical, radiological, biological, and nuclear hazard.”