PAW 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. Short title This Act may be cited as the Planning for Animal Wellness Act PAW Act 2. Working group guidelines (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Administrator The term Administrator (2) Working group The term working group (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. December 8, 2022 Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

Summary: Planning for Animal Wellness Act or the PAW Act This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a working group relating to best practices and federal guidance for animals in emergencies and disasters. Specifically, 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 in emergency and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery; and (2) review best practices and federal guidance on sheltering and evacuation planning relating to the needs of such pets and animals.