22 U.S.C. § 1741c — Hostage Response Group

(a) Establishment The President must establish a Hostage Response Group, chaired by a designated member of the National Security Council or the Deputies Committee of the National Security Council, to be convened on a regular basis, to further the safe recovery of United States nationals held hostage abroad or unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad, and to be tasked with coordinating the United States Government response to other hostage-takings occurring abroad in which the United States has a national interest. (b) Membership The regular members of the Hostage Response Group must include the Director of the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell’s Family Engagement Coordinator, the Special Envoy appointed pursuant to section 1741a of this title , and representatives from the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Central Intelligence Agency, and other agencies as the President, from time to time, may designate. (c) Duties The Hostage Recovery Group must— (1) identify and recommend hostage recovery options and strategies to the President through the National Security Council; (2) coordinate the development and implementation of United States hostage recovery policies, strategies, and procedures; (3) receive regular updates from the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell and the Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs on the status of United States nationals being held hostage or unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad and measures being taken to effect safe recoveries; (4) coordinate the provision of policy guidance to the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, including reviewing recovery options proposed by the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell and working to resolve disputes within the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell; (5) as appropriate, direct the use of resources at the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell to coordinate or assist in the safe recovery of United States nationals unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad; and (6) as appropriate, direct the use of resources at the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell to coordinate the United States Government response to other hostage-takings occurring abroad in which the United States has a national interest. (d) Meetings The Hostage Response Group must meet regularly. (e) Reporting The Hostage Response Group must regularly provide recommendations on hostage recovery options and strategies to the National Security Council.