This proposal creates a Special Envoy at the State Department to help keep humanitarian aid workers safe overseas. The envoy would look into any death or detention of an aid worker during a U.S.-supported mission, push for better coordination with foreign militaries, and promote best practices so nonprofits can deliver aid safely. The envoy must report each year on safety problems, how well the U.N.’s coordination office is working, how much U.S. aid went out, and policy ideas, plus deliver a separate report on that U.N. office’s effectiveness within a year.

It would also halt U.S. security assistance and certain arms transfers to any country that unlawfully kills or fatally injures aid workers, or refuses to share key information, unless that country investigates, fixes problems, brings those responsible to justice, coordinates active missions, and shows it will protect aid workers. The bill sets up an interagency Aid Worker Independent Inquiry Group, led by the envoy, to review any such death or detention and send Congress a detailed report within 90 days, including what happened, who was responsible, the munitions used, whether U.S.-provided items were involved, and how the country cooperated.

• Who is affected: Humanitarian aid workers and NGOs operating outside the U.S.; countries receiving U.S. security aid; U.S. agencies that coordinate humanitarian missions.
• What changes: A Special Envoy is created; U.S. security aid and certain arms transfers can be cut off if countries unlawfully kill aid workers; an independent inquiry group investigates incidents and reports to Congress.
• When: The inquiry group must be set up within 60 days after the envoy is appointed; incident reports are due within 90 days; annual reports are required; certifications to restrict assistance must be submitted 15 days before taking effect.