H.R. 9675 – Homeward Bound Act

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Updated January 20, 2026 at 7:03 PM UTC

The Homeward Bound Act postpones the enforcement of a Health and Human Services rule that governs importing dogs and cats for U.S. military members stationed abroad, diplomatic personnel, and people with service animals. It delays that rule for 18 months and directs HHS to change the regulations so dogs of any age from low‑risk rabies countries can be brought in, and dogs born before the law’s passage don’t need a microchip. The bill affects service members, diplomats, their families, and anyone importing a service animal into the United States.

Key Provisions

Delay the application of the HHS “Control of Communicable Diseases; Foreign Quarantine: Importation of Dogs and Cats” rule for 18 months for covered individuals (military members overseas, diplomatic staff, and their families) importing dogs from low‑risk rabies countries and for service animal imports.
Define “covered individual” to include service members stationed abroad, diplomatic/consular personnel, and their family members in the same location.
Require the HHS Secretary, via CDC, to revise regulations within 10 days to allow import of dogs of any age from low‑risk rabies countries at any U.S. port of entry.
Permit dogs born before the act’s enactment to be imported without a microchip requirement.
State that the act does not affect the Secretary of Agriculture’s authority over related matters.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

September 19, 2024

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 19, 2024

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

September 19, 2024

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued September 19, 2024

I

118th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 9675

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.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Homeward Bound Act.

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).

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.

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.