Homeward Bound Act
This bill allows dogs under six months of age, and dogs without microchips born before the bill becomes law, to be imported into the United States from low-risk countries for rabies. The bill delays the applicability of new requirements on importing dogs for certain government personnel importing dogs from low-risk countries, and for service animals imported from low-risk countries.
On May 13, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a rule adding new requirements for importing dogs to prevent the reintroduction and spread of rabies. The rule, among other things, requires that every dog imported into the United States must be at least six months of age and must have a microchip implanted. The bill requires the CDC to revise the rule so that dogs of any age may be imported from low-risk countries for rabies, and so that dogs imported from low-risk countries do not need a microchip if born before the bill becomes law.
In addition, the bill delays the applicability of the rule by 18 months for (1) members of the Armed Forces stationed in a foreign country, personnel serving at a diplomatic or consular post, and their families seeking to import a dog from a low-risk country; and (2) individuals seeking to import service animals from low-risk countries.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9675 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9675
To delay the application of a certain rule for members of the Armed
Forces stationed in a foreign country and for individuals with service
animals, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 19, 2024
Mr. Armstrong (for himself, Mrs. Peltola, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Tony
Gonzales of Texas, Mr. Lawler, Mr. Steube, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Carson, and
Mr. Kennedy) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To delay the application of a certain rule for members of the Armed
Forces stationed in a foreign country and for individuals with service
animals, 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 ``Homeward Bound Act''.
SEC. 2. DELAYED APPLICATION OF RULE RELATING TO IMPORTING DOGS FOR
MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES, DIPLOMATS SERVING IN A
FOREIGN COUNTRY, AND INDIVIDUALS WITH SERVICE ANIMALS.
(a) In General.--The rule entitled ``Control of Communicable
Diseases; Foreign Quarantine: Importation of Dogs and Cats'' published
by the Department of Health and Human Services in the Federal Register
on May 13, 2024, (89 Fed. Reg. 41726 et seq.) shall not be applied
until the date that is 18 months after the date of the enactment of
this Act with respect to--
(1) any covered individual seeking to import a dog from a
low-risk country for rabies (as defined by the Secretary); and
(2) any individual seeking to import a service animal from
such a low-risk country.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered individual.--
(A) In general.--The term ``covered individual''
means--
(i) a member of the Armed Forces who is
stationed in a foreign country; and
(ii) any individual serving as personnel at
a United States diplomatic or consular post.
(B) Inclusion.--Such term includes a family member
stationed in the same location as the individual
described in clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A).
(2) Service animal.--The term ``service animal'' has the
meaning given such term in part 37.3 of title 49, Code of
Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).
SEC. 3. REVISING RULE RELATING TO IMPORTING DOGS.
Not later than 10 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director
of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall revise part 71
of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations--
(1) to allow individuals to import into the United States,
at any port of entry, from a low-risk country for rabies (as
defined by the Secretary), dogs of any age; and
(2) in the case of an individual seeking to import a dog
from such a country that was born before the date of the
enactment of this Act, to not require such dog to be
microchipped as a condition on that importation.
SEC. 4. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION REGARDING AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF
AGRICULTURE.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed as affecting the authority
of the Secretary of Agriculture to enforce any provision of law over
which the Secretary of Agriculture has jurisdiction.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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