H.R. 10522
Companion Animal Protection Against Cruel Testing Act
Sponsor: Nicholas A. Langworthy
Official summary
Written by the Congressional Research Service.
Companion Animal Protection Against Cruel Testing Act
This bill prohibits the use of funds made available to covered federal agencies for any biomedical research activity involving a live dog or cat. Covered agencies are agencies or offices within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that award, administer, or expend federal funds for biomedical research.
This prohibition also applies to activities that materially facilitate biomedical research involving a live dog or cat (e.g., salaries, facility maintenance, and administrative support primarily related to such research). It does not apply to transportation and rehousing of animals previously used in biomedical research or observational activities that do not involve alteration of an animal’s normal environment or medical care.
The prohibition applies to federal funds obligated or expended beginning 180 days after the bill is enacted. HHS may waive the prohibition in limited circumstances if necessary to respond to a specified emergency.
Recipients of funding from covered agencies must make reasonable efforts to transfer dogs and cats no longer needed for research to rescue organizations or other appropriate entities. Further, recipients may only euthanize an animal if a veterinarian has determined euthanasia is necessary for animal welfare or public safety.
If HHS determines that a recipient has violated a provision of the bill, it may withhold further funding to the recipient, recover funds expended in violation, and impose other administrative remedies.
Finally, the Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on the bill's implementation within three years after the bill takes effect.
Text of the bill
(a) Protected disclosures. No recipient of funds from a covered Federal agency may discharge, demote, suspend, threaten, harass, discriminate against, or otherwise retaliate against an employee, contractor, student, trainee, or other individual because that individual, in good faith—
(1) reports a suspected violation of this Act;
(2) provides information to the Secretary, the Office of Inspector General, the Comptroller General, Congress, or another authorized governmental entity;
(3) participates in an audit, investigation, hearing, or other proceeding concerning compliance with this Act; or
(4) refuses to participate in conduct that the individual reasonably believes would violate this Act.
(b) Complaint procedure. The Secretary shall establish procedures for receiving, investigating, and resolving complaints alleging retaliation prohibited under this section.
(c) Remedies. Where a violation of subsection (a) is substantiated, the Secretary may require appropriate corrective action as a condition of continued eligibility for funding from a covered Federal agency, including reinstatement, restoration of responsibilities, or other equitable relief consistent with applicable law.
(d) Construction. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit any rights or remedies otherwise available under Federal law relating to whistleblower protections.