119 HR 4757 IH: Pigs and Public Health Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2025-07-25
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
1.Short title; table of contents
(a)This Act may be cited as the Pigs and Public Health Act
. (b)The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Title I—Humane handling reforms for nonambulatory pigs
Sec. 101. Unlawful use of drugs contributing to nonambulatory conditions.
Sec. 102. Transportation of pigs.
Sec. 103. Unlawful slaughter practices involving pigs.
Sec. 104. OSHA standard and staffing requirement.
Title II—Public health transparency
Sec. 201. Online portal for confidential complaints.
Sec. 202. Whistleblower protection.
Sec. 203. Study and report on threat of nonambulatory pigs in food system.
2.Congress finds the following: (1)Humane euthanization of nonambulatory pigs—
(A)prevents needless suffering; (B)results in safer and better working conditions for individuals handling pigs;
(C)brings about improvement of products and reduces the likelihood of the spread of zoonotic and other diseases that have a great and deleterious economic impact; and (D)protects the public health of consumers by ensuring that products from nonambulatory pigs do not enter the food supply.
(2)Many nonambulatory pigs are ill and may carry dangerous pathogens, posing a serious public health risk, considering— (A)in a 2008 study, significantly more nonambulatory pigs than control pigs tested positive for swine influenza viruses H1N1 and H3N2;
(B)other studies have indicated that nonambulatory pigs may increase risk of transmission of pathogens such as Salmonella and Yersinia enterocolitica and may be more likely to harbor antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter; and (C)the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that pork containing pathogens leads to about 525,000 infections, 2,900 hospitalizations, and 82 deaths in humans each year.
(3)Industrial operators have created a system that allows for the inhumane handling of nonambulatory livestock that causes needless suffering, unsafe working conditions, and the spread of foodborne and zoonotic diseases. (4)Industrial operators have abused the use of certain drugs that increase the risk of pigs becoming nonambulatory.
(5)Current Federal animal transport laws are ineffective, inherently cruel, and cause pigs to become nonambulatory. (6)Employees and contract laborers on farms, during transport, and at slaughter deal with nonambulatory pigs first hand, making them uniquely positioned to report public health threats they witness.
(7)Since 2004, the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has banned all nonambulatory cattle from entering the Nation’s food supply due to increased risk of disease spread, but there are no such regulations for other species. (8)In 2002, Congress mandated that the Department of Agriculture release a report regarding nonambulatory animals, but no such report has been released. The Department of Agriculture released a report on nonambulatory cattle and calves in 2005 and a report on sheep and goats in 2006. No report has been issued on nonambulatory pigs.
3.In this Act: (1)The term covered entity means—
(A)a stockyard; (B)a market agency;
(C)a packer (as defined in section 201 of the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 (7 U.S.C. 191)); (D)a dealer (as defined in section 301 of the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 (7 U.S.C. 201));
(E)a slaughter facility; and (F)an establishment subject to inspection pursuant to the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).
(2)The term covered individual means any employee, former employee, contractor, or other person who has worked or is currently working for or with a covered entity. (3)The term nonambulatory pig means any swine that cannot stand or walk unassisted.
(4)The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture. <enum>I</enum><header>Humane handling reforms for nonambulatory pigs</header> <section id="H8E4214FA3AE847508DE82C1B1FE876A4"><enum>101.</enum><header>Unlawful use of drugs contributing to nonambulatory conditions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Animal Health Protection Act is amended by inserting after section 10409A (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/8308a">7 U.S.C. 8308a</external-xref>) the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="H11BC4EE0CD0F4CE79D0C4B42E2DA25E4" style="OLC">
<section id="H7EAC1D1BF0EE4033A02AD27F0B1F359C"><enum>10409B.</enum><header>Unlawful use of beta-adrenergic agonist drugs in pigs</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Any use of a beta-adrenergic agonist drug, including ractopamine, zilpaterol, and lubabegron, in a pig in the absence of disease, including use for growth promotion or feed efficiency, is prohibited.</text></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section> <section id="H150D60278D074095A3DF484DEDB614F5"><enum>102.</enum><header>Transportation of pigs</header> <subsection id="H7E63BEBF496B48A2AA90D99397491666"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Animal Welfare Act is amended by inserting after section 13 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2143">7 U.S.C. 2143</external-xref>) the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="H3A9DE7DD651241BB8FFA5DE705E8FA94">
<section id="H6C8E3777758048DBBD94565196A7B341"><enum>13A.</enum><header>Transportation of pigs</header>
<subsection id="HD2A1F75FE4D14AD5ACA18A817388FCA8"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Transportation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In any case in which pigs are transported by a covered provider of transportation on behalf of a covered entity, the covered provider of transportation transporting the pigs shall ensure that—</text> <paragraph id="HD36FD2047E3B439D8CDB523979C38C3C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the means of transport provides adequate protection of the pigs from high winds, rain, and snow;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H0EED2A2C37EA4117ACC1629BA10B3B5B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the pigs are provided with appropriate bedding or equivalent material that—</text> <subparagraph id="H4E462C44FF47410D8C1FEB6FEC6EB4B5"><enum>(A)</enum><text>prevents slipping;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H7559481261A640249E4E293F14848623"><enum>(B)</enum><text>ensures a level of comfort appropriate to—</text> <clause id="H468FCD6BC7A74282BEF1D94AE92304C7"><enum>(i)</enum><text>pigs;</text></clause>
<clause id="H4F8086A1700B4C159A49EAFFACDA69FA"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the number of pigs being transported;</text></clause> <clause id="H8270C9FC8CF14608BD3839E0D0DA762B"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the duration of the period of transportation; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H3DF0564DEF97453A8C9197E431934C62"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>the weather; and</text></clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HCBC0670A6AFE4FD5A017BF7C07FFC02E"><enum>(C)</enum><text>provides adequate absorption of urine and feces;</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6984B33BBDC8403DB0513522968B5804"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the pigs are not overcrowded during transport;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HD3A0E1181C734AEAA0F5699D0A61D141"><enum>(4)</enum><text>the means of transport is equipped with a water supply that ensures that each pig has access to water in a manner and quantity appropriate to the species and size of the animal;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2F9F4514282B469FB1BBE060D8521E22"><enum>(5)</enum><text>watering devices on the means of transport are—</text> <subparagraph id="H20F260F4E91843D2A86CFF514448E477"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in good working order;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HBFA48A9CB62B4B09B68D30E6DAB308B2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>appropriately designed; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HD949FC4D7CF141C6B69EBAE0F415A1C2"><enum>(C)</enum><text>positioned appropriately for pigs to be watered during transport;</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H16CD226B52104DBD9C0C1516E730A65D"><enum>(6)</enum><text>the pigs have enough space—</text> <subparagraph id="HB4D751D2DBCD4A7197C3C0A5C0FFF3DD"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to turn around;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H044610B67F4D4ED0AF408279C30EF783"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to lie down; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HBBC220D8C9364B7187101E4014529080"><enum>(C)</enum><text>to fully extend their limbs; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6E0C355BC38A47C0861A2403D770D0CB"><enum>(7)</enum><text>the pigs are not transported if the temperature within the means of transport cannot be maintained between 50 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H46548140BF574C26AA0150AED7BAC130"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Recordkeeping</header> <paragraph id="H85973A560F85435FB66C68DF743562BE"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Each covered provider of transportation shall maintain records of all pigs transported by such covered provider on behalf of any covered entity.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HAF4D304C010D4F4787A2EE0CC17C1DDE"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Production of records</header><text>A covered provider of transportation shall provide the records maintained under paragraph (1) to the Secretary on request.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H6C23B809E04A49F0A7BD4150A48B9679"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section:</text>
<paragraph id="H5988042CE1AC4DB9BAEECE6F404C898A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Covered entity</header><text>The term <term>covered entity</term> means—</text> <subparagraph id="HF05033B355654F72A45703633ACB9D0D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a stockyard;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HED0776254DAC4B788AFE7E78D4B1EC1D"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a market agency;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H760B5A48861B4759AA654B54E14325EC"><enum>(C)</enum><text>a packer (as defined in section 201 of the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/191">7 U.S.C. 191</external-xref>));</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H24506F2E144E44CAA7F27097F0AE0BC4"><enum>(D)</enum><text>a dealer (as defined in section 301 of the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/201">7 U.S.C. 201</external-xref>));</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H0E4C74B657244A8E8E30B3B379E6CA31"><enum>(E)</enum><text>a slaughter facility; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H65CD5451FCE24A54AF090B57F850724C"><enum>(F)</enum><text>an establishment.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H61E97AF294D548728F4C5CBB4CE976F6"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Covered provider of transportation</header><text>The term <term>covered provider of transportation</term> means any entity that provides transport of livestock on behalf of a covered entity.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H427464DFED664AEDBF17FB7A8A802D58"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>The term <term>establishment</term> means an establishment that is subject to inspection pursuant to the Federal Meat Inspection Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/21/601">21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.</external-xref>).</text></paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection> <subsection id="HD44DFDEB25404A83AF7484958C878C55"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Rulemaking</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate final regulations to enforce the provisions of subsection (a).</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H9E56F515823641AFA074AC819324ED7D"><enum>103.</enum><header>Unlawful slaughter practices involving pigs</header>
<subsection id="HFEAFBBE8DA2B49E281F715FB48037EA9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Public Law 85–765 (commonly known as the <quote>Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1958</quote>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text> <quoted-block id="HE0CC63616159470D95D3F7B6E54B71FE" style="OLC"> <section id="H7433F19E236F49AFB0AB590B56458A9A" commented="no"><enum>7.</enum><header>Humane treatment of pigs</header> <subsection id="H54EBD6CC9D66433584AEB7391870E002"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Nonambulatory pigs</header> <paragraph id="H4E78C3BF53C34863B4F9731432B0F07F"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Humane treatment, handling, and disposition</header><text>The Secretary of Agriculture shall promulgate regulations to provide for the humane treatment, handling, and disposition of all nonambulatory pigs by covered entities, including requirements for a covered entity—</text>
<subparagraph id="H556B7EC4283D433A9E6D037D0F09E11A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to, subject to paragraph (2), immediately humanely euthanize nonambulatory pigs in the possession of the covered entity;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H4FEDCD5EE32444FBA60AF996799EACCA"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to have written policies and procedures in place, and proper equipment, relating to the humane handling, euthanization, and disposition of all nonambulatory pigs in the possession of the covered entity;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H076B6627EA50493CB0E2E83EF9E75CBB"><enum>(C)</enum><text>to maintain records of all nonambulatory pigs in the possession of the covered entity; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H6278B94219394602ADF2291B13C584AB"><enum>(D)</enum><text>to electronically submit such written policies and procedures and such records to the Administrator of the Food Safety and Inspection Service.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCB79E5EF361542E3A96A64752D3FE032"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Humane euthanasia</header>
<subparagraph id="HFB19A8D0B55B4E34BE63FD128D28785B"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall promulgate regulations specifying—</text> <clause id="HDC51E4FC1A3B402D969E8D9C4A52BE33"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the methods of euthanasia that shall be acceptable for the humane disposition of nonambulatory pigs required under the regulations promulgated under paragraph (1); and</text></clause>
<clause id="H15332C4E725B4A79B57F8A845A5565FA"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>processes for ensuring effective enforcement of the use of such methods.</text></clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HCC0B135818284619B640906E98C5CA58"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Disease testing</header><text>The Secretary shall test nonambulatory pigs for a disease, such as swine influenza viruses H1N1 and H3N2, Salmonella, Yersinia enterocolitica, Campylobacter, and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4D392E44AED746E78199899F8B470394"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Transacting or processing</header><text>A covered entity shall not—</text> <subparagraph id="H8F673DA8DB1B4CCCB113F5AE3ABCE7F5"><enum>(A)</enum><text>buy or sell a nonambulatory pig;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H950FF63B4F754AA9935E3B1748CDBCF0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>process, butcher, or sell meat or meat food products of a nonambulatory pig; or</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H35C75F92180347E593ED0EE55A136131"><enum>(C)</enum><text>slaughter any nonambulatory pig or prepare any carcass or part of a carcass, or meat or meat food product, from any nonambulatory pig.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H53E87BE5819A473F9034B23920A683CE"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Records</header><text>The Administrator of the Food Safety and Inspection Service shall maintain all documents submitted by covered entities pursuant to the regulations under paragraph (1).</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H59AEEFB8DBC7403892B835FD0DE33B82" commented="no"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Willful acts of abuse</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall promulgate regulations prohibiting a covered individual from committing any willful act of abuse—</text>
<paragraph id="H3600703F867D473CB296111BDE38BD49" commented="no"><enum>(1)</enum><text>against nonambulatory pigs; or</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H534E3A08AEE849AD919ED61F77182BA6" commented="no"><enum>(2)</enum><text>that may reasonably be expected to result in injury or illness of ambulatory pigs.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H46A117EDB7824EDF9101FD78ECA51705" commented="no"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Injured and diseased pigs</header>
<paragraph id="H19632D2296A94E538A47967210484C4E" commented="no"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Injured pigs</header><text>The Secretary shall promulgate regulations specifying the proper handling of injured pigs by a covered entity, including requirements to—</text> <subparagraph id="H48D37E23D6BC4D81809DBBD0A46D5817" commented="no"><enum>(A)</enum><text>immediately treat or humanely euthanize pigs diagnosed as lame; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H76C58F67876B4C2E98ED0D0F12BF7D47" commented="no"><enum>(B)</enum><text>immediately humanely euthanize—</text> <clause id="H124CD959953C4CD286362BC50DB515E8" commented="no"><enum>(i)</enum><text>pigs with—</text>
<subclause id="H84642E6133C24243BD7A5839636347D3" commented="no"><enum>(I)</enum><text>uterine prolapses; or</text></subclause> <subclause id="H648662AB090D4CA599A3E766FB80CB4F" commented="no"><enum>(II)</enum><text>any type of prolapse that is not addressed and becomes necrotic;</text></subclause></clause>
<clause id="HF063F18A7697482E91B718DB741563B2" commented="no"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>pigs with—</text> <subclause id="H26C2A2F3C8A547DE97FE372C89A341A6" commented="no"><enum>(I)</enum><text>perforated hernias;</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H44F12DF6693C495FA098582ED1D06AC2" commented="no"><enum>(II)</enum><text>hernias that are ulcerated and necrotic; or</text></subclause> <subclause id="H38E68AD0C4624080925513ADF22F7B7F" commented="no"><enum>(III)</enum><text>large hernias that touch the ground while standing and are ulcerated; and</text></subclause></clause>
<clause id="HA2F0AA6BB9304AD2A0FFF4B128A40BCE" commented="no"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>pigs that are unlikely to recover from any other type of injury, even with treatment.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HC2907D7D323441C1A9602941325536B5" commented="no"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Diseased pigs</header><text>The Secretary shall promulgate regulations specifying the proper handling of diseased pigs by a covered entity, including requirements to immediately humanely euthanize pigs that are not responding to care or are unlikely to recover from disease or illness.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H4DA9D717A9DB4B10956A742019FD0185" commented="no"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section:</text> <paragraph id="H4D08BEB377F94838A45F449A17BEEA9E" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Covered entity</header><text>The term <term>covered entity</term> means—</text>
<subparagraph id="H062F3613BB62416789EC0D3562224C47"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a stockyard;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HB8292424CBF746A7B1216B480E38FE8B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a market agency;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H25FA0F2EB8CA4E1DBCC7BA09367881DF"><enum>(C)</enum><text>a packer (as defined in section 201 of the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/191">7 U.S.C. 191</external-xref>));</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H82C41BBB5F794EB08CFA7E0F1CEA04CE"><enum>(D)</enum><text>a dealer (as defined in section 301 of the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/201">7 U.S.C. 201</external-xref>));</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H57CDBDCF024748ABB94915961C63CAE7"><enum>(E)</enum><text>a slaughter facility; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H0BC8465A0F0B469396CD15BE62957BD8"><enum>(F)</enum><text>an establishment.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H13A30F9C9E38452F9CDF591B56ECEFA3"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Covered individual</header><text>The term <term>covered individual</term> means any employee, former employee, contractor, or other person who has worked or is currently working for or with a covered entity.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H619B802809B4476F9FD52CB54816FDB7" commented="no"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Diseased</header><text>The term <term>diseased</term> means a state of being—</text>
<subparagraph id="HE27D8DA39EBE4EC2B0998C987DAB40DF" commented="no"><enum>(A)</enum><text>that deviates from the normal structural or functional state of an animal;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HF85F5D4FC9C04274B18FC0B54DE4DF26" commented="no"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in which the animal is impaired or exhibits signs or symptoms of pain or suffering; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA68DC171B09E44EC9BB31253059D6938" commented="no"><enum>(C)</enum><text>that is not caused by physical injury.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HEF3FD3BE5C8E4CA7BD3BFEA22B84ECFA"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>The term <term>establishment</term> means an establishment that is subject to inspection pursuant to the Federal Meat Inspection Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/21/601">21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.</external-xref>).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HEDB5D517EC714254BEAEF686615BFC2E" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Humanely euthanize</header><text>The term <term>humanely euthanize</term> means, with respect to a pig, to immediately render the pig unconscious by mechanical, chemical, or other means, with the unconscious state remaining until the death of the pig.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HAB475B4ACF754BBC94A90164D53DE56F" commented="no"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Injured</header><text>The term <term>injured</term> means a state of being in which an animal’s body is physically harmed or damaged.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE4A6B23CAAC248C39246422A278D3A2A" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Nonambulatory pig</header><text>The term <term>nonambulatory pig</term> means any swine that cannot stand or walk unassisted.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H28CF483CB07B45CAA4DBF5951A13853D"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Secretary</header><text>The term <term>Secretary</term> means the Secretary of Agriculture.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2F62E56FF5214DDBB746B96CA434708F" commented="no"><enum>(9)</enum><header>Willful acts of abuse</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>willful acts of abuse</term> means, with respect to pigs, any acts that intentionally cause pain or suffering to the pigs, including—</text> <subparagraph id="H9483082A23A94B7A863F86233B39202A" commented="no"><enum>(A)</enum><text>hitting or beating the pigs, such as with a fist, foot, or any hard objects that can cause pain or injury;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H40B49008CF4844FDBA7E6D4ABED9DCAA" commented="no"><enum>(B)</enum><text>purposefully slamming, dropping, throwing, or dragging the pigs by any body part, except in the case of moving nonambulatory pigs using a drag mat;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HA89B4A103EAE4512BC738822F32D3B94" commented="no"><enum>(C)</enum><text>excessive use of electric prods, including—</text>
<clause id="H2EE0FD83442D4612BA7C05DFE06A1647" commented="no"><enum>(i)</enum><text>prodding the pigs in sensitive areas, such as the face, genitals, or rectum;</text></clause> <clause id="H9C368A7C6DC6414483273419BEFFA41D" commented="no"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>providing a shock that lasts longer than one second; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H78803A82F3F84B0C8AB9182184D66CE3" commented="no"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>using electric prods other than as a last resort;</text></clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HC1FB0A0F174A4A28B12052D7EF6E39C1" commented="no"><enum>(D)</enum><text>failure to provide food, water, and care to the pigs in a manner that could result in significant harm or death to the pigs; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB0EFABB4852741439AB1DD417CF04731" commented="no"><enum>(E)</enum><text>driving the pigs on top of one another, including with the use of motorized vehicles.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection> <subsection id="HAB5A7A60F83F460680913E1F59C036B9"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Inspection of nonambulatory pigs; labeling</header><text>Section 6 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/21/606">21 U.S.C. 606</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="H346A14D383D7406FA4174109B7610C04" style="OLC">
<subsection id="H6541675AA90646D687EF084F58D543D8"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Inspection of nonambulatory pigs; labeling</header>
<paragraph id="H2995BA7218AA49C78DEB72584A8533C3"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Inspection</header><text>It shall be unlawful for an inspector at an establishment subject to inspection under this Act to pass through inspection any nonambulatory pig or carcass (including parts of a carcass) of a nonambulatory pig.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H64F6E59343784195A404AF52E430ADB4"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Labeling</header><text>An inspector or other employee of an establishment described in paragraph (2) shall label, mark, stamp, or tag as <quote>inspected and condemned</quote> any carcass (including parts of a carcass) of a nonambulatory pig.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H819E2A1889A845618F38E89D0C30B64E"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Nonambulatory pig defined</header><text>In this subsection, the term <term>nonambulatory pig</term> means any swine that cannot stand or walk unassisted.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection> <subsection id="HA5304554261D4C1BBAA9D517BC7BA193"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective date</header> <paragraph id="H5D42F11FB9164EC28BED0D64C3B6613A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE786468F5BD740D29C5B430C509AAE04"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate final regulations to implement the amendments made by subsections (a) and (b).</text></paragraph></subsection></section> <section id="H091B214A76A34E9E83A440A3A842C1C4"><enum>104.</enum><header>OSHA standard and staffing requirement</header> <subsection id="HD734CA773EC84D799183470243B8612D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Proposed standard</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall, pursuant to section 6 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/655">29 U.S.C. 655</external-xref>), promulgate a proposed standard for handling nonambulatory pigs. Such proposed standard shall include requirements for—</text>
<paragraph id="H294B22A419DE4D2BB133E818C6760302"><enum>(1)</enum><text>employee training related to handling such pigs; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H5F0631CA436F45D4881FA96E2FD9C40F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the use of mechanical lifting aids.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HDB50FE81F84145C3AD6B915AA1EB4DFC"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Final standard</header><text>Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall, pursuant to section 6 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/655">29 U.S.C. 655</external-xref>), promulgate a final standard that shall be—</text> <paragraph id="HFD87DDC8B224422AB65F853A071A9429"><enum>(1)</enum><text>based on the proposed standard under paragraph (1); and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2619E1C08E8447FAA34F1735715DBD81"><enum>(2)</enum><text>effective and enforceable in the same manner and to the same extent as any standard promulgated under section 6(b) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/655">29 U.S.C. 655(b)</external-xref>).</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HE6A0B79F81524EC99E6A00729AC914C9"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Staffing requirement</header><text>A covered entity shall take such steps as may be necessary, including hiring and training additional employees, to comply with the requirements of this Act, the amendments made by this Act, and the final standard promulgated pursuant to subsection (b).</text></subsection></section>
<enum>II</enum><header>Public health transparency</header>
<section id="H8E003E86D26F49FE84F25F6A09F738C3"><enum>201.</enum><header>Online portal for confidential complaints</header>
<subsection id="H24108E6068C04E819233612BE29187C0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall establish and make publicly available on the website of the Department of Agriculture an online portal, through which individuals may submit confidential complaints regarding alleged or potential violations by a covered entity of—</text> <paragraph id="H34FDB89CEE9B4799BB66DD6C149C8378"><enum>(1)</enum><text>this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, including—</text>
<subparagraph id="HDE18A20911714263B628BD66E5C308E0" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(A)</enum><text>section 10409B of the Animal Health Protection Act (as inserted by section 101);</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HCEEFFD1F329A478192D0B5A27F1DE750"><enum>(B)</enum><text>section 13A of the Animal Welfare Act (as inserted by section 102);</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H0902724D8A6E4EC7B98AD5962EFE34BD"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">section 7 of <external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/85/765">Public Law 85–765</external-xref> (commonly known as the <quote>Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1958</quote>) (as added by section 103(a)); and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HB1032877F7114C5EB76BB94CCB28E2A2"><enum>(D)</enum><text>section 6(c) of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (as added by section 103(b));</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9F59BA3E19FA4F49B96CFBF6681912FB"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/651">29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.</external-xref>); or</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H37DB97E29DC44E6BAA12960ADB3CB080"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/201">29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.</external-xref>).</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H8B9102925D7844C088D93B2D982A3396"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Public notice</header><text>Upon the establishment of the online portal described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall issue a public notice informing individuals of—</text> <paragraph id="HFCA76207EA0F45ABB28EABD2D0CF1FE3"><enum>(1)</enum><text>their right to use such portal; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE98F8AC005D34694AC35FEADB383B842" commented="no"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the confidentiality protections provided by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Justice to individuals who submit complaints through such portal, which shall include—</text> <subparagraph id="HE773C545A8F04519AE76ED15B6329851" commented="no"><enum>(A)</enum><text>keeping confidential any personally identifiable information of an individual contained in such a complaint, unless—</text>
<clause id="H4DBD37B622054934BF8222B0D05A585D" commented="no"><enum>(i)</enum><text>such individual provides to the Secretary advance written permission to release such information; or</text></clause> <clause id="H6231632AFADA46588F8709D2D4510CBB" commented="no"><enum>(ii)</enum> <subclause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H8735667ABBCC404E9A470938B66A7A74"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the release of such information is otherwise required by law; and</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H3D68E23A03A542348B8CC102687365A9" indent="up1" commented="no"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the Secretary provides to such individual advance warning, as soon as feasible, that the release of such information is legally required; and</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H0B65ACFD7A7745238856A8DD2ACF18F3" commented="no"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a requirement that if work on the case is transferred to a nongovernmental entity, that entity will be bound by the original confidentiality provisions.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H969A25F4D24A4497B4BB5F17BB1E4E95"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Annual reports on aggregate data</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall make publicly available a report describing the aggregate data collected from the online portal described in subsection (a).</text></subsection></section> <section id="H0242C02622F7476F8D6F721E41DF49A9"><enum>202.</enum><header>Whistleblower protection</header> <subsection id="HC2A008C8C2F648FDA1D126D440ADE0D6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>A covered entity shall not discharge, demote, suspend, threaten, harass, or in any other manner discriminate against a covered individual because of any lawful act done by the covered individual—</text>
<paragraph id="HBB5D20C0E9E14B2B89DE810E0297C8AA"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to provide information, cause information to be provided, or otherwise assist in an investigation regarding any conduct that the covered individual reasonably believes is illegal or constitutes a violation of this Act or the amendments made by this Act;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H9A6E77DBAEFD4360937A4453A6CB1F0F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to file, cause to be filed, testify, participate in, or otherwise assist in a proceeding or action filed, or about to be filed, relating to a violation of any law, rule, or regulation; or</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H43D6F4415BBE41A9B24C85974B029031"><enum>(3)</enum><text>to refuse to violate, or assist in the violation of, any law, rule, or regulation.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H6C521E6548BF475DAAE5FD5933EBF25E"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Enforcement action</header> <paragraph id="H1378A978680C4AED8302E4D051C10B1A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Complaint</header> <subparagraph id="H625D9AB1F0594786819F22D13A59EAD1"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>A covered individual who alleges discharge or other discrimination by any person in violation of paragraph (1) may seek relief by filing a complaint with the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Agriculture, which shall investigate the concerns raised by the covered individual that allegedly caused retaliation.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H58DAFC9FD75746888CFFFF94A43BCBF4"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Legal action</header><text>If the Office of the Inspector General has not issued a final decision regarding the investigation by the date that is 210 days after the date on which the complaint is filed, and there is no showing that the delay is due to the bad faith of the claimant, the claimant may bring an action at law or equity for de novo review in the appropriate district court of the United States, which shall have jurisdiction over such an action without regard to the amount in controversy.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HCFBDB3DEFA834669851C8FCE5454429F" commented="no"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Procedure</header><text>A complaint under paragraph (1)(A) shall be governed under the rules and procedures established in section 1013 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/21/399d">21 U.S.C. 399d</external-xref>) and shall be resolved within 21 days after the date on which such complaint is filed.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H085F4CBD9F1F478FB1BAE5C4884E5638"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Remedies</header><text>A covered individual who prevails in any action under subparagraph (A) shall be entitled to remedies equivalent to relief provided under section 1013(b)(4)(B) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/21/399d">21 U.S.C. 399d(b)(4)(B)</external-xref>).</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H9DC4188C527545C0B7AFF1EFFCD2E095"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Rights retained by the individual</header> <paragraph id="H4FEFC0CAEFE44DC890C2774762D09A32"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Nothing in this subsection diminishes the rights, privileges, or remedies of any individual under any Federal or State law, or under any collective bargaining agreement.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCAAD6A63020D44D381E57FD30EF87EC7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Waiver of rights and remedies</header><text>The rights and remedies provided for in this section may not be waived by any agreement, policy form, or condition of employment, including by a predispute arbitration agreement.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HDA59C0497A1145A5B8AC86614183A04E"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Predispute arbitration agreements</header><text>No predispute arbitration agreement shall be valid or enforceable, to the extent the agreement requires arbitration of a dispute arising under this section.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H3DF553D737A44581BD6F73B275319059"><enum>203.</enum><header>Study and report on threat of nonambulatory pigs in food system</header>
<subsection id="H449438D00CB946B8BB63528522995158"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Study</header><text>The Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety shall, in coordination with the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, conduct a study regarding the public health threat of nonambulatory pigs entering the food system.</text></subsection> <subsection id="H0CCC16C50ED7483B906B0D353730245E"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report</header> <paragraph id="H71ADA321785247058A9ED2FB31A8753A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall submit to Congress, and make publicly available, a report describing the results of the study conducted under subsection (a).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H34AC6349382243E488296341785E86A5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>Such report shall include, at a minimum, descriptions of the impact on the public health of pathogens associated with nonambulatory pigs, including—</text> <subparagraph id="H0BCBA0DB6A104E4D8B2971AB663E88B7"> <enum>(A)</enum> <text>Swine influenza viruses H1N1 and H3N2;</text>
</subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H3EB449C272D64A4C955696597B9DD6C4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Salmonella;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H005EF5BF8B934C15A181B6C740122CB5"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Yersinia enterocolitica;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H32CF92122543491DBCF47567F56FC27C"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Campylobacter; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H282D1DFDD9D04D6DB1CDCA982E3F7F6E"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section>