Public Law 118–195: To require agencies with working dog programs to implement the recommendations of the Government Accountability Office relating to the health and welfare of working dogs, and for other purposes.

public-law-118-195Public Law 118-195Statute

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PUBLIC LAW 118–195—DEC. 23, 2024
138 STAT. 2669
Public Law
118–195
118th Congress
An Act
To require agencies with working dog programs to implement the recommendations of the Government Accountability Office relating to the health and welfare of working dogs, and for other purposes.

Dec. 23, 2024

[S. 2414]

  Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa­tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

Working Dog Health and Welfare Act

of 2023.

5 USC 301 note.
SECTION 1.

SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the “
Working Dog Health and Welfare Act of 2023
”.
SEC. 2.

Deadlines.

IMPLEMENTATION OF WORKING DOG RECOMMENDATIONS.

(a)

Definitions.—

In this section:
(1)

Agency.—

The term “
agency
” has the meaning given the term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code.
(2)

Working dog.—

The term “
working dog
” means a dog that has received specialized training in order to perform a particular productive function.
(3)

Working dog program.—

The term “
working dog program
” means a program, the operations of which include the employment of working dogs.
(4)

Working dog recommendations.—

The term “
working dog recommendations
” means the recommendations included in the report of the Government Accountability Office entitled “Working Dogs: Federal Agencies Need to Better Address Health and Welfare”, as published in October 2022.
(b)

Implementation.—

(1)

In general.—

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the head of each agency that manages a working dog program shall implement the working dog recommendations.
(2)

Contractors.—

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, a contractor that manages a working dog program on behalf of an agency shall implement the working dog recommendations.
(3)

Report.—

Not later than 60 days after the date on which the head of an agency or a contractor that manages a working dog program on behalf of an agency implements the working dog recommendations under this subsection, the head of the agency shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Oversight and Accountability of the House of Representatives a report on the explicit steps the agency or contractor has taken to complete the implementation.138 STAT. 2670
(c)

Foreign Partners.—

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall take appropriate steps to ensure that donations of working dogs provided to foreign partners by the Department of State are executed and monitored according to the working dog recommendations.
(d)

New Working Dog Programs.—

With respect to an agency that establishes a working dog program, or enters into a contract for the establishment of a working dog program, after the date of enactment of this Act, the head of the agency shall ensure that the working dog program implements the working dog recommendations.
(e)

No Additional Funds.—

No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of carrying out this Act.
Approved December 23, 2024.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 2414:

SENATE REPORTS: ┐No. 118–137 (Comm. on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs).

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 170 (2024):

Jan. 11, considered and passed Senate.

Dec. 16, considered and passed House.

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