---
kind: "section"
citation: "6 U.S.C. § 742"
title: "6"
title_heading: "Domestic Security"
number: "742"
heading: "National preparedness"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/6/742"
units:
  - "Chapter 2 — National Emergency Management"
  - "Subchapter II — Comprehensive Preparedness System"
  - "Part A — National Preparedness System"
---

# §742. National preparedness


In order to prepare the Nation for all [hazards](/usc/6/741.md?p=3), including natural disasters, acts of [terrorism](/usc/6/101.md?p=18), and other man-made disasters, the President, consistent with the [declaration](/usc/6/677a.md?p=2) of policy under [section 5195 of title 42](/usc/42/5195.md) and title V of the [Homeland](/usc/6/101.md?p=1) Security Act of 2002 ([6 U.S.C. 311](/usc/6/311.md) et seq.), as amended by this Act, shall develop a [national preparedness goal](/usc/6/741.md?p=5) and a [national preparedness system](/usc/6/741.md?p=6).


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 642, Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1425.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Homeland Security Act of 2002, referred to in text, is Pub. L. 107–296, Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2135. Title V of the Act is classified generally to subchapter V (§ 311 et seq.) of chapter 1 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 101 of this title and Tables.

This Act, referred to in text, means title VI of Pub. L. 109–295, Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1394, known as the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title and References in Pub. L. 109–295 notes set out under section 701 of this title and Tables.