117TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. 4205 

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. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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†S 4205 ES

1 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

2 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Planning for Animal 

3 Wellness Act’’ or the ‘‘PAW Act’’. 

4 SEC. 2. WORKING GROUP GUIDELINES. 

5 (a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 

6 (1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Adminis7 trator’’ means the Administrator of the Federal 

8 Emergency Management Agency. 

9 (2) WORKING GROUP.—The term ‘‘working 

10 group’’ means the advisory working group estab11 lished under subsection (b). 

12 (b) WORKING GROUP.—Not later than 180 days after 

13 the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 

14 establish an advisory working group. 

15 (c) MEMBERSHIP.—The working group shall consist 

16 of— 

17 (1) not less than 2 representatives of State gov18 ernments with experience in animal emergency man19 agement; 

20 (2) not less than 2 representatives of local gov21 ernments with experience in animal emergency man22 agement; 

23 (3) not less than 2 representatives from aca24 demia; 

25 (4) not less than 2 veterinary experts; 
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1 (5) not less than 2 representatives from non2 profit organizations working to address the needs of 

3 households pets and service animals in emergencies 

4 or disasters; 

5 (6) representatives from the Federal Animal 

6 Emergency Management Working Group; and 

7 (7) any other members determined necessary by 

8 the Administrator. 

9 (d) DUTIES.—The working group shall— 

10 (1) encourage and foster collaborative efforts 

11 among individuals and entities working to address 

12 the needs of household pets, service and assistance 

13 animals, and captive animals, as appropriate, in 

14 emergency and disaster preparedness, response, and 

15 recovery; and 

16 (2) review best practices and Federal guidance, 

17 as of the date of enactment of this Act, on con18 gregate and noncongregate sheltering and evacuation 

19 planning relating to the needs of household pets, 

20 service and assistance animals, and captive animals, 

21 as appropriate, in emergency and disaster prepared22 ness, response, and recovery. 

23 (e) NO COMPENSATION.—The members of the work24 ing group shall serve on the working group on a voluntary 

25 basis. 
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1 (f) GUIDANCE DETERMINATION.—Not later than 1 

2 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the working 

3 group shall determine whether the best practices and Fed4 eral guidance described in subsection (d)(2) are sufficient. 

5 (g) NEW GUIDANCE.—Not later than 540 days after 

6 the date of enactment of this Act, if the Administrator, 

7 in consultation with the working group, determines that 

8 the best practices and Federal guidance described in sub9 section (d)(2) are insufficient, the Administrator, in con10 sultation with the working group, shall publish updated 

11 Federal guidance. 

12 (h) SUNSET.— 

13 (1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), 

14 the working group shall terminate on the date that 

15 is 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act. 

16 (2) EXTENSION.—The Administrator may ex17 tend the date described in paragraph (1) if the Ad18 ministrator determines an extension is appropriate. 

Passed the Senate August 6, 2022. 

Attest: 

Secretary. 

117TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. 4205 

AN ACT 

To require the Administrator of the Federal Emerters, and for other purposes. guidance for animals in emergencies and disas- ing group relating to best practices and Federal gency Management Agency to establish a work-