117 HR 7789 IH: Planning for Animal Wellness Act U.S. House of Representatives 2022-05-16 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.

I117th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 7789IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMay 16, 2022Ms. Titus (for herself and Mr. DeFazio) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureA BILLTo require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to establish a working group relating to best practices and Federal guidance for animals in emergencies and disasters, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Planning for Animal Wellness Act or the PAW Act.

2.

Working group guidelines

(a)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

Administrator

The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.(2)

Working group

The term working group means the advisory working group established under subsection (b). (b)

Working group

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish an advisory working group.(c)

Membership

The working group shall consist of—(1)not less than 2 representatives of State governments with experience in animal emergency management;(2)not less than 2 representatives of local governments with experience in animal emergency management;(3)not less than 2 representatives from academia;(4)not less than 2 veterinary experts;(5)not less than 2 representatives from nonprofit organizations working to address the needs of households pets and service animals in emergencies or disasters;(6)representatives from the Federal Animal Emergency Management Working Group; and(7)any other members determined necessary by the Administrator.(d)

Duties

The working group shall—(1)encourage and foster collaborative efforts among individuals and entities working to address the needs of household pets, service and assistance animals, and captive animals, as appropriate, in emergency and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery; and(2)review best practices and Federal guidance, as of the date of enactment of this Act, on congregate and noncongregate sheltering and evacuation planning relating to the needs of household pets, service and assistance animals, and captive animals, as appropriate, in emergency and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.(e)

Guidance determination

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the working group shall determine whether the best practices and Federal guidance described in subsection (d)(2) are sufficient.(f)

New guidance

Not later than 540 days after the date of enactment of this Act, if the Administrator, in consultation with the working group, determines that the best practices and Federal guidance described in paragraph subsection (d)(2) are insufficient, the Administrator, in consultation with the working group, shall publish updated Federal guidance.