7 USC 3151 - Veterinary services grant program

View all text of Subchapter III [§ 3151 - § 3159]

§ 3151b. Veterinary services grant program

(a) DefinitionsIn this section:

(1) Qualified entityThe term “qualified entity” means—

(A) a for-profit or nonprofit entity located in the United States that, or an individual who, operates a veterinary clinic providing veterinary services—

(i) in a rural area, as defined in section 1991(a) of this title; and

(ii) in a veterinarian shortage situation;

(B) a State, national, allied, or regional veterinary organization or specialty board recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association;

(D) a university research foundation or veterinary medical foundation;

(E) a department of veterinary science or department of comparative medicine accredited by the Department of Education;

(F) a State agricultural experiment station; or

(G) a State, local, or tribal government agency.

(2) Veterinarian shortage situation

(b) Establishment

(1) Competitive grants

(2) Eligibility requirementsA qualified entity shall be eligible to receive a grant described in paragraph (1) if the entity carries out programs or activities that the Secretary determines will—

(A) substantially relieve veterinarian shortage situations;

(B) support or facilitate private veterinary practices engaged in public health activities; or

(C) support or facilitate the practices of veterinarians who are providing or have completed providing services under an agreement entered into with the Secretary under section 3151a(a)(2) of this title.

(1) Application, evaluation, and input processesIn administering the grant program established under this section, the Secretary shall—

(A) use an appropriate application and evaluation process, as determined by the Secretary; and

(B) seek the input of interested persons.

(2) Coordination preference

(3) Consideration of available funds

(4) Nature of grants

(d) Use of grants to relieve veterinarian shortage situations and support veterinary services

(1) In generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), a qualified entity may use funds provided by a grant awarded under this section to relieve veterinarian shortage situations and support veterinary services for any of the following purposes:

(A) To promote recruitment (including for programs in secondary schools), placement, and retention of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, students of veterinary medicine, and students of veterinary technology.

(B) To allow veterinary students, veterinary interns, externs, fellows, and residents, and veterinary technician students to cover expenses (other than the types of expenses described in section 3151a(c)(5) of this title) to attend training programs in food safety or food animal medicine.

(C) To establish or expand accredited veterinary education programs (including faculty recruitment and retention), veterinary residency and fellowship programs, or veterinary internship and externship programs carried out in coordination with accredited colleges of veterinary medicine.

(D) To provide continuing education and extension, including veterinary telemedicine and other distance-based education, for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and other health professionals needed to strengthen veterinary programs and enhance food safety.

(E) To provide technical assistance for the preparation of applications submitted to the Secretary for designation as a veterinarian shortage situation under this section or section 3151a of this title.

(F) To expose students in grades 11 and 12 to education and career opportunities in food animal medicine.

(2) Qualified entities operating veterinary clinicsA qualified entity described in subsection (a)(1)(A) may only use funds provided by a grant awarded under this section to establish or expand veterinary practices, including—

(A) equipping veterinary offices;

(B) sharing in the reasonable overhead costs of such veterinary practices, as determined by the Secretary; or

(C) establishing mobile veterinary facilities in which a portion of the facilities will address education or extension needs.

(e) Special requirements for certain grants

(1) Terms of service requirements

(A) In general

(B) ConsiderationsIn establishing a term of service under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consider only—

(i) the amount of the grant awarded; and

(ii) the specific purpose of the grant.

(2) Breach remedies

(A) In general

(B) Waiver

(i) be credited to the account available to carry out this section; and

(ii) remain available until expended without further appropriation.

(f) Prohibition on use of grant funds for constructionExcept as provided in subsection (d)(2), funds made available for grants under this section may not be used—

(1) to construct a new building or facility; or

(2) to acquire, expand, remodel, or alter an existing building or facility, including site grading and improvement and architect fees.

(g) Regulations

(h) Authorization of appropriations

(1) In general

(2) Priority

(Pub. L. 95–113, title XIV, § 1415B, as added Pub. L. 113–79, title VII, § 7104, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 866; amended Pub. L. 115–334, title VII, § 7106, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4783.)