PAW Act
Public Law 117–212
PAW Act
212
117–212
Statute Compilation
United States House of Representatives
Office of the Legislative Counsel
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.
GPO Statute Compilations USLM converter, version 20210527.1
2023-01-20
PAW Act
Planning for Animal Wellness Act
17089
117
2022-10-17
PAW Act
[(Public Law 117–212)]
[This law has not been amended]
[Currency: This publication is a compilation of the text of Public Law 117–212. It was last amended by the public law listed in the As Amended Through note above and below at the bottom of each page of the pdf version and reflects current law through the date of the enactment of the public law listed at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/comps/]
[Note: While this publication does not represent an official version of any Federal statute, substantial efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of its contents. The official version of Federal law is found in the United States Statutes at Large and in the United States Code. The legal effect to be given to the Statutes at Large and the United States Code is established by statute (1 U.S.C. 112, 204).]

AN ACT
To 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.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1.
[42 U.S.C. 5196 note]

SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Planning for Animal Wellness Act” or the “PAW Act”.
SEC. 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)

No Compensation.—
The members of the working group shall serve on the working group on a voluntary basis.
(f)

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.
(g)

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 subsection (d)(2) are insufficient, the Administrator, in consultation with the working group, shall publish updated Federal guidance.
(h)

Sunset.—
(1)

In general.—
Subject to paragraph (2), the working group shall terminate on the date that is 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
(2)

Extension.—
The Administrator may extend the date described in paragraph (1) if the Administrator determines an extension is appropriate.