Bill > S2397

This bill, the Worldwide Animal Testing Compliance and Harmonization Act of 2023 (or the WATCH Act), seeks to amend the Public Health Service Act to require quarterly inspections of foreign laboratories that receive federal funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or other national research institutes and conduct research involving animals. The bill establishes an inspection process to ensure these foreign laboratories comply with animal welfare requirements, including having animal care committees, properly reviewing and evaluating animal care and treatment, and maintaining proper record-keeping and reporting procedures. The bill also requires the inspecting authority to issue compliance certificates that will be publicly accessible, and allows for the suspension or revocation of grants or contracts for non-compliant foreign laboratories that fail to take corrective action. The bill also directs the Secretary to coordinate with appropriate foreign regulatory authorities to facilitate the implementation and enforcement of these provisions.