Legis Daily

PAWS Act of 2021

USA117th CongressS-951| Senate 
| Updated: 6/23/2021
Deb Fischer

Deb Fischer

Republican Senator

Nebraska

Cosponsors (14)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Rick Scott (Republican)Margaret Wood Hassan (Democratic)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)Ted Cruz (Republican)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)John Cornyn (Republican)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Robert Menendez (Democratic)Marco Rubio (Republican)Steve Daines (Republican)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Veterans' Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers Act of 2021 or the PAWS Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a grant program for the purpose of pairing service dogs with eligible veterans. Organizations that receive grants shall provide veterinary health insurance coverage, hardware, and travel expenses for each service dog and veteran participating in the program. Eligible veterans are those who (1) are enrolled in the VA health care system, (2) have been evaluated and treated for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but remain diagnosed with PTSD, (3) may benefit from a service dog, and (4) agree to successfully complete training provided by an eligible organization. Veterans are required to see a VA health care provider at least once every 180 days to determine whether the veteran continues to benefit from a service dog. Eligible organizations are nonprofit organizations that are accredited by a widely recognized accreditation organization, meet publicly available standards set forth by the Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans, have expertise in the needs of veterans with PTSD, agree to cover all costs in excess of the grant amount to guarantee the benefits of the program, agree to reaccept or replace a service dog provided to a veteran, and submit an application to the VA. Any improvement in PTSD symptoms as a result of the provision of a service dog shall not affect the veteran's eligibility for any other VA benefits. The Government Accountability Office must report on the grant program.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-2949
PAWS Act of 2019
Mar 22, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-1022
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Mar 24, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Mar 24, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jun 23, 2021
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-231.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2949
    PAWS Act of 2019


  • March 22, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-1022
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.


  • March 24, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 24, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • June 23, 2021
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-231.

Armed Forces and National Security

Animal protection and human-animal relationshipsCongressional oversightGovernment studies and investigationsMammalsMental healthNeurological disordersService animalsSocial work, volunteer service, charitable organizationsVeterans' education, employment, rehabilitationVeterans' medical care

PAWS Act of 2021

USA117th CongressS-951| Senate 
| Updated: 6/23/2021
Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers Act of 2021 or the PAWS Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a grant program for the purpose of pairing service dogs with eligible veterans. Organizations that receive grants shall provide veterinary health insurance coverage, hardware, and travel expenses for each service dog and veteran participating in the program. Eligible veterans are those who (1) are enrolled in the VA health care system, (2) have been evaluated and treated for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but remain diagnosed with PTSD, (3) may benefit from a service dog, and (4) agree to successfully complete training provided by an eligible organization. Veterans are required to see a VA health care provider at least once every 180 days to determine whether the veteran continues to benefit from a service dog. Eligible organizations are nonprofit organizations that are accredited by a widely recognized accreditation organization, meet publicly available standards set forth by the Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans, have expertise in the needs of veterans with PTSD, agree to cover all costs in excess of the grant amount to guarantee the benefits of the program, agree to reaccept or replace a service dog provided to a veteran, and submit an application to the VA. Any improvement in PTSD symptoms as a result of the provision of a service dog shall not affect the veteran's eligibility for any other VA benefits. The Government Accountability Office must report on the grant program.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-2949
PAWS Act of 2019
Mar 22, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-1022
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Mar 24, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Mar 24, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jun 23, 2021
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-231.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2949
    PAWS Act of 2019


  • March 22, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-1022
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.


  • March 24, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 24, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • June 23, 2021
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-231.
Deb Fischer

Deb Fischer

Republican Senator

Nebraska

Cosponsors (14)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Rick Scott (Republican)Margaret Wood Hassan (Democratic)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)Ted Cruz (Republican)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)John Cornyn (Republican)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Robert Menendez (Democratic)Marco Rubio (Republican)Steve Daines (Republican)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Veterans' Affairs Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Animal protection and human-animal relationshipsCongressional oversightGovernment studies and investigationsMammalsMental healthNeurological disordersService animalsSocial work, volunteer service, charitable organizationsVeterans' education, employment, rehabilitationVeterans' medical care