---
kind: "section"
citation: "6 U.S.C. § 775"
title: "6"
title_heading: "Domestic Security"
number: "775"
heading: "National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/6/775"
units:
  - "Chapter 2 — National Emergency Management"
  - "Subchapter II — Comprehensive Preparedness System"
  - "Part C — Miscellaneous Authorities"
---

# §775. National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System

- (a) **Definitions—** In this section—
  - (1) the term “displaced individual” means an individual displaced by an [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) or [major disaster](/usc/6/701.md?p=6); and
  - (2) the term “National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System” means the National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System established under [subsection (b)](#b).
- (b) **Establishment—** Not later than 180 days after October 4, 2006, the [Administrator](/usc/6/701.md?p=1) shall establish a [National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System](#a-2) to help reunify families separated after an [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) or [major disaster](/usc/6/701.md?p=6).
- (c) **Operation of System—** The [National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System](#a-2) shall—
  - (1) allow a displaced adult (including medical patients) to voluntarily register (and allow an adult that is the parent or guardian of a displaced child to register such child), by submitting personal information to be entered into a database (such as the name, current location of residence, and any other relevant information that could be used by others seeking to locate that individual);
  - (2) ensure that information submitted under [paragraph (1)](#c-1) is accessible to those individuals named by a [displaced individual](#a-1) and to those law enforcement officials;
  - (3) be accessible through the Internet and through a toll-free number, to receive reports of [displaced individuals](#a-1); and
  - (4) include a means of referring displaced children to the National [Emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) Child Locator [Center](/usc/6/681.md?p=1) established under [section 774 of this title](/usc/6/774.md).
- (d) **Publication of information—** Not later than 210 days after October 4, 2006, the [Administrator](/usc/6/701.md?p=1) shall establish a mechanism to inform the public about the [National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System](#a-2) and its potential usefulness for assisting to reunite [displaced individuals](#a-1) with their families.
- (e) **Coordination—** Not later than 90 days after October 4, 2006, the [Administrator](/usc/6/701.md?p=1) shall enter a memorandum of understanding with the [Department](/usc/6/701.md?p=5) of Justice, the National [Center](/usc/6/681.md?p=1) for Missing and Exploited Children, the [Department](/usc/6/701.md?p=5) of Health and Human Services, and the American Red Cross and other relevant private organizations that will enhance the sharing of information to facilitate reuniting [displaced individuals](#a-1) (including medical patients) with their families.
- (f) **Report—** Not later than 270 days after October 4, 2006, the [Administrator](/usc/6/701.md?p=1) shall submit to the [appropriate committees of Congress](/usc/6/701.md?p=3) a report describing in detail the status of the [National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System](#a-2), including any difficulties or issues in establishing the System, including funding issues.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 689c, Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1451.)