PAW Act
Bill: S.4205 | Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. (D-MI)
Policy area: Emergency Management

Summary:
Planning for Animal Wellness Act or the PAW Act
This act 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.

[117th Congress Public Law 212]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



[[Page 136 STAT. 2249]]

Public Law 117-212
117th Congress

                                 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. <<NOTE: Oct. 17, 2022 -  [S. 4205]>> 

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Planning for 
Animal Wellness Act. 42 USC 5196 note.>> 
SECTION 1. 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) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> 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

[[Page 136 STAT. 2250]]

        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) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> 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. <<NOTE: Deadline. Consultation. Determination. Publication.>> --
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) <<NOTE: Determination.>> Extension.--The Administrator 
        may extend the date described in paragraph (1) if the 
        Administrator determines an extension is appropriate.

    Approved October 17, 2022.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 4205:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

SENATE REPORTS: No. 117-140 (Comm. on Homeland Security and Governmental 
Affairs).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 168 (2022):
            Aug. 6, considered and passed Senate.
            Sept. 13, considered in House.
            Sept. 14, prior proceedings vacated; considered and passed 
                House.

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