COVID–19 Warrior Dogs Act

Bill: 117-hr-3712
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-33]
Introduced: 2021-06-04
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health

Congressional oversight

Emergency medical services and trauma care

Infectious and parasitic diseases

Mammals

Medical tests and diagnostic methods

Military facilities and property

Service animals
Latest action: action_date: 2021-06-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-06-04
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>COVID-19 Warrior Dogs Act</strong></p> <p>This bill requires the Department of Defense to commence a four-year pilot program to determine the effectiveness of using scent detection working dogs to detect the early stages of diseases, including COVID-19.</p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3712 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 4, 2021 Mr. Lieu introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a pilot program to determine the effectiveness of using working dogs to detect the early stages of diseases, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the COVID–19 Warrior Dogs Act . 2. Pilot program on use of working dogs to detect early stages of diseases (a) Pilot program Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall commence a pilot program to determine the effectiveness of using scent detection working dogs to detect the early stages of diseases (including the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19)) and upon detection, to alert the handler of the dog. In carrying out such program, the Secretary shall consider— (1) potential uses for such dogs in screening individuals seeking to access facilities under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense or seeking to access locations frequently used by the public and relevant to public safety; and (2) any other potential uses for such dogs relating to the detection of early stages of diseases, including uses relating to the management and provision of personal protective equipment and medical testing kits to Department of Defense personnel. (b) Regulations The Secretary shall prescribe regulations concerning the scope and limitations of the pilot program under subsection (a). Such regulations shall include requirements to ensure that the pilot program is scientifically rigorous. (c) Duration The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program under subsection (a) for a period of not more than four years. (d) Report Not later than 180 days after the date on which the pilot program under subsection (a) terminates, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the outcomes of such pilot program.