Courtroom Dogs Act

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4159 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 4159

  To develop best practice guidelines for the use of dogs in Federal 
                    courts, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 24, 2021

    Ms. Scanlon (for herself and Mrs. Miller-Meeks) introduced the 
  following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To develop best practice guidelines for the use of dogs in Federal 
                    courts, 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 ``Courtroom Dogs Act''.

SEC. 2. BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF DOGS IN FEDERAL COURTS.

    (a) Definition of Qualified Training Organization.--In this 
section, the term ``qualified training organization'' means an 
organization that--
            (1) meets the requirements of section 501(c)(3) of the 
        Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
            (2) is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such 
        Code; and
            (3) includes staff members with knowledge about--
                    (A) the criminal justice system; and
                    (B) the breeding, training, and placement of 
                facility dog teams that have graduated from a qualified 
                assistance dog organization.
    (b) Best Practice Guidelines.--Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall develop and 
publish best practices for the use of dogs to provide support for 
defendants, complainants, and witnesses in Federal courtrooms and grand 
jury rooms, which shall include guidelines for--
            (1) avoiding prejudice;
            (2) addressing whether and when dog handlers should be 
        required, and what training, credentials, or experience should 
        be required;
            (3) stating what experience, training, or certification 
        should be required for the dogs;
            (4) addressing liability concerns; and
            (5) ensuring the dog or handler will not unduly interfere 
        with the management of the case or any other court operations.
    (c) Consultation.--In carrying out subsection (b), the Attorney 
General may consult with the judiciary branch, Federal, State, and 
local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors, defense-side 
professionals, and experts in the field, including a qualified training 
organization.
    (d) Guidelines.--Not later than 60 days after the date on which the 
best practice guidelines required under subsection (b) are published, 
the Attorney General shall issue guidance informing all United States 
attorneys of the best practice guidelines and recommending the 
implementation of the guidelines.
    (e) Rules of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to prevent a court of the United States from--
            (1) providing any other accommodation to a witness or other 
        person in accordance with applicable law; or
            (2) retaining control of the courtroom.
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