US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

10 U.S.C. § 2635

Medical emergency helicopter transportation assistance and limitation of individual liability

(a)
The Secretary of Defense is authorized to assist the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Homeland Security in providing medical emergency helicopter transportation services to civilians. Any resources provided under this section shall be under such terms and conditions, including reimbursement, as the Secretary of Defense deems appropriate and shall be subject to the following specific limitations:
(1)
Assistance may be provided only in areas where military units able to provide such assistance are regularly assigned, and military units shall not be transferred from one area to another for the purpose of providing such assistance.
(2)
Assistance may be provided only to the extent that it does not interfere with the performance of the military mission.
(3)
The provision of assistance shall not cause any increase in funds required for the operation of the Department of Defense.
(b)
No individual (or his estate) who is authorized by the Department of Defense to perform services under a program established pursuant to subsection (a), and who is acting within the scope of his duties, shall be liable for injury to, or loss of property or personal injury or death which may be caused incident to providing such services.

Pub. L. 93–155, title VIII, § 814(a)87 Stat. 620Pub. L. 96–513, title V, § 511(88)94 Stat. 2928Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, § 1704(b)(1)116 Stat. 2314(Added , , ; amended , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 107–2962002—Subsec. (a). substituted “Department of Homeland Security” for “Department of Transportation” in introductory provisions.

Pub. L. 96–5131980—Subsec. (a). substituted “Department of Health and Human Services” for “Department of Health, Education, and Welfare”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Pub. L. 107–296section 1704(g) of Pub. L. 107–296section 101 of this titleAmendment by effective on the date of transfer of the Coast Guard to the Department of Homeland Security, see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Pub. L. 96–513section 701(b)(3) of Pub. L. 96–513section 101 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .