BARK Act of 2021
Bill: H.R.5684 | Sponsor: Rep. Raskin, Jamie (D-MD)
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
Bring Animals Relief and Kibble Act of 2021 or as the BARK Act of 2021
This bill extends federal protection from civil and criminal liability that applies to donations of food or grocery products for needy individuals to the donation of pet food or supplies.

To amend the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act to provide 
 protection for the good faith donation of pet products, 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. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Bring Animals Relief and Kibble Act 
of 2021'' or as the ``BARK Act of 2021''.

SEC. 2. AMENDMENT TO DEFINITIONS.

    Section 22(b) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 
1791(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting before the period at the 
        end the following: ``, and includes pet supplies'';
            (2) in paragraph (4), by inserting after ``human 
        consumption'' and inserting the following: ``or pet, emotional 
        support animal, or service animal consumption'';
            (3) in paragraph (10), by inserting after ``caterer, 
        farmer,'' the following ``pet food supplier,'';
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(11) Emotional support animal.--The term `emotional 
        support animal' means an animal that is covered by the 
        exclusion specified in section 5.303 of title 24, Code of 
        Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation), and that is 
        not a service animal.
            ``(12) Pet.--The term `pet' means a domesticated animal, 
        such as a dog, cat, bird, rodent, fish, turtle, or other animal 
        that is kept for pleasure rather than for commercial purposes.
            ``(13) Pet supplies.--The term `pet supplies' means 
        tangible personal property used for pets, including pet 
        carriers, crates, kennels, houses, cages, clothing, bedding, 
        toys, collars, leashes, leads, tie-outs, feeders, bowls, 
        dishes, pet gates, or pet doors.
            ``(14) Service animal.--The term `service animal' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 36.104 of title 28, Code of 
        Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).''.

SEC. 3. EXPANSION OF SCOPE OF PURPOSES FOR DONATION.

    Section 22(c) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 
1791(c)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting after ``donates in good 
        faith to a nonprofit organization'' the following: ``or, in 
        case only of a donation for ultimate distribution to pets, to a 
        State or unit of local government,'';
            (2) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following: 
        ``A unit of local government shall not be subject to liability 
        arising from the nature, age, packaging, or condition of 
        apparently wholesome food or an apparently fit grocery product 
        that the unit of local government received as a donation in 
        good faith from a person or gleaner for ultimate distribution 
        to pets.''; and
            (3) by inserting after ``needy individuals'' each place it 
        appears the following: ``or pets''.
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