WASHINGTON D.C.—California representative Laura Richardson has submitted H.R. 6566—the Mass Fatality Planning and Religious Considerations Act—to prepare for mass deaths in the US including manmade and terrorist attacks. Ms. Richardson states that the act is pursuant to the powers of Congress under Article I, Section 8, Clauses 1¹ and 18² of the United States Constitution.

Govtrack.us estimates a 1% chance of passage of the legislation. The bill has no cosponsors.

According to the legislation, the government finds:

(1) Emergency preparedness often plans for how to prepare and provide for survivors of a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster, but fails to plan for how to prepare for and respond to mass fatalities that result from such an incident.

(2) Funeral homes, cemeteries, and mortuaries could be overwhelmed should mass fatalities arise from a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster.

(3) Different religions have different customs surrounding death; for example, the Jewish and Muslim religions call for burial of the deceased not later than 48 hours after death.

The act would amend Section 504 of the Homeland Security Act (6 U.S.C. 314) by adding:

`(c) Preparedness for Mass Fatalities- In carrying out this section, the Administrator shall provide guidance to and coordinate with appropriate individuals, including representatives from different communities, private sector businesses, non-profit organizations, and religious organizations, to prepare for and respond to a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster that results in mass fatalities.’.

Section 314 of Title 6 deals with the Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA. The Administrator refers to the administrator of FEMA.

Many web sites across the Internet are linking this legislation with the high volume purchase of ammunition by government agencies.

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