PUBLIC LAW 109–308—OCT. 6, 2006 120 STAT. 1725

Public Law 109–308

109th Congress

An Act

To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act

to ensure that State and local emergency preparedness operational plans address

the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals following a

major disaster or emergency.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of

the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006’’.

SEC. 2. STANDARDS FOR STATE AND LOCAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS OPERATIONAL PLANS.

Section 613 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5196b) is amended—

(1) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and

(2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following:

‘‘(g) STANDARDS FOR STATE AND LOCAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS OPERATIONAL PLANS.—In approving standards for State and

local emergency preparedness operational plans pursuant to subsection (b)(3), the Director shall ensure that such plans take into

account the needs of individuals with household pets and service

animals prior to, during, and following a major disaster or emergency.’’.

SEC. 3. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS MEASURES OF THE DIRECTOR.

Section 611 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5196) is amended—

(1) in subsection (e)—

(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end;

(B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period and

inserting ‘‘; and’’; and

(C) by adding at the end the following:

‘‘(4) plans that take into account the needs of individuals

with pets and service animals prior to, during, and following

a major disaster or emergency.’’; and

(2) in subsection (j)—

(A) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (8) as

paragraphs (3) through (9), respectively; and

(B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:

‘‘(2) The Director may make financial contributions, on

the basis of programs or projects approved by the Director,

to the States and local authorities for animal emergency

Pets

Evacuation and

Transportation

Standards Act

of 2006.

42 USC 5121

note.

Oct. 6, 2006

[H.R. 3858]

120 STAT. 1726 PUBLIC LAW 109–308—OCT. 6, 2006

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 3858:

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 152 (2006):

May 22, considered and passed House.

Aug. 3, considered and passed Senate, amended.

Sept. 20, House concurred in Senate amendment.

Æ

preparedness purposes, including the procurement, construction, leasing, or renovating of emergency shelter facilities and

materials that will accommodate people with pets and service

animals.’’.

SEC. 4. PROVIDING ESSENTIAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS WITH

HOUSEHOLD PETS AND SERVICE ANIMALS FOLLOWING A

DISASTER.

Section 403(a)(3) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and

Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170b(a)(3)) is amended—

(1) in subparagraph (H), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end;

(2) in subparagraph (I), by striking the period and inserting

‘‘; and’’; and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

‘‘(J) provision of rescue, care, shelter, and essential

needs—

‘‘(i) to individuals with household pets and service

animals; and

‘‘(ii) to such pets and animals.’’.

Approved October 6, 2006.