Homeward Bound Act

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.

In this section:

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.

Such term includes a family member stationed in the same location as the individual described in clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A).

The term service animal has the meaning given such term in part 37.3 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor 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.