H.R. 10714 — Strengthening Emergency Responses Act

This section expands the required reviews and updates of Emergency Action Plans for each United States diplomatic mission. Plans must now be reviewed and updated not less than annually, after the conclusion of each covered emergency, and when the relevant Chief of Mission determines that changing conditions require it, with post-emergency reviews required to incorporate lessons learned.

This section requires crisis intake systems and forms to remain widely available and fully operational for United States citizens abroad during emergency evacuations of diplomatic and consular posts. It directs the Secretary of State to maintain regular contact with next-of-kin to provide up-to-date information. It also requires the Secretary to submit to the appropriate congressional committees, within 30 days of enactment, a review of communications procedures that ensures timely access to evacuation information and assesses whether posts need additional staff.

This section directs the Secretary of State to submit to the appropriate congressional committees, not later than 90 days after enactment, a review of instances of commercial airlines engaging in price gouging on flights used for emergency evacuations of diplomatic and consular posts or United States citizens abroad.