When every second counts, complex laws can slow disaster responders down. The Emergency Law Inventory (ELI) is a groundbreaking tool transforming how disaster response teams navigate the law. ELI compiles over 1,800 laws from all 50 states, Washington D.C., eight U.S. territories, and the federal government. These laws cover five key areas: licensure, workers’ benefits, liability, scope of practice, and protections from threats.
ELI gives clear, concise summaries of laws impacting disaster responders. The laws are searchable by profession, jurisdiction, legal topic, and keyword so users can quickly identify the provisions that are important to them.
ELI was originally developed at the University of Pittsburgh by a small team, including two JD/MPH students and an evaluator, with support from Medical Reserve Corps units in western Pennsylvania, New York City, and rural Ohio. The team supporting ELI now includes a research project manager, volunteer attorneys, and law students from Temple University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Villanova. Additionally, Temple’s Center for Public Health Law Research has played a key role in refining and expanding the inventory, ensuring that all existing laws are reviewed and updated when necessary.
Funding for this resource was generously provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under a contract from NACCHO.
