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H.R. 373·114th Congress·House Bill

Good Samaritan Search and Recovery Act

Stage not supplied

The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.

Latest action (16 Dec 2015): Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 338.

What this bill does

This bill, H.R. 373, would direct the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture to establish a process for eligible organizations and individuals to gain expedited access to federal lands for good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions. These missions are defined as searches for missing individuals believed to be deceased. The bill outlines procedures for approving or denying such requests and requires the departments to develop partnerships with search-and-recovery organizations to coordinate and speed up these efforts.

The measure affects non-profit organizations and individuals who are of legal age and are conducting searches for missing persons believed to be deceased. Those granted access under this act would not be considered federal volunteers and would be subject to specific waiver provisions. The Federal Tort Claims Act and the Federal Employees Compensation Act would not apply to them in this context, and the government would be released from liability if the individuals agree to these terms and indemnify the United States.

H.R. 373 passed the House of Representatives on April 28, 2015. Its next step is to be considered by the Senate.

Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.

Official summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on April 28, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Good Samaritan Search and Recovery Act

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement a process to provide eligible organizations and individuals expedited access to federal land to conduct good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions, which are searches for one or more missing individuals believed to be deceased at the time that the search is initiated.

The bill sets forth procedures for the approval or denial of requests made by eligible organizations or individuals to carry out a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission.

Interior and USDA shall develop search-and-recovery focused partnerships with search-and-recovery organizations to coordinate good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions, and expedite and accelerate mission efforts for missing individuals.

Timeline

  1. 16 Dec 2015

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 338.

Common questions

What does H.R. 373 do?
This bill, H.R. 373, would direct the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture to establish a process for eligible organizations and individuals to gain expedited access to federal lands for good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions. These missions are defined as searches for missing individuals believed to be deceased. The bill outlines procedures for approving or denying such requests and requires the departments to develop partnerships with search-and-recovery organizations to coordinate and speed up these efforts. The measure affects non-profit organizations and individuals who are of legal age and are conducting searches for missing persons believed to be deceased. Those granted access under this act would not be considered federal volunteers and would be subject to specific waiver provisions. The Federal Tort Claims Act and the Federal Employees Compensation Act would not apply to them in this context, and the government would be released from liability if the individuals agree to these terms and indemnify the United States. H.R. 373 passed the House of Representatives on April 28, 2015. Its next step is to be considered by the Senate.
Has H.R. 373 become law?
The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 373. Check the latest action and official source below.
Who sponsored H.R. 373?
H.R. 373 was sponsored by Rep. Heck, Joseph J. [R-NV-3] (R-NV), with 8 cosponsors.
What's the latest action on H.R. 373?
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 338. (16 Dec 2015).

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