OFFICE OF LABORATORY ANIMAL WELFARE (HNA37)

(1) Develops and monitors, as well as exercises compliance oversight relative to PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals involved in research conducted or supported by any component of the Public Health Service; (2) coordinates appropriate PHS regulations, policies, and procedures both within PHS and in coordination with other Departments and Agencies in the Federal Government; and establishes criteria for and negotiation of Assurances of Compliance with institutions engaged in PHS-conducted or supported research using animals; (3) conducts programs of clarification and guidance for both the Federal and non-Federal sectors with respect to the use of animals in research; and directs the development and implementation of educational and instructional programs and generates educational resource materials; (4) evaluates the effectiveness of PHS policies and programs for the humane care and use of laboratory animals; and (5) serves as liaison to Presidential, Departmental, Congressional, interagency, and non-governmental Commissions and Boards established to examine issues pertaining to laboratory animal welfare in research and exercises leadership in identifying and addressing such issues.

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR (HNA371)

(1) Supervises and manages the development and promulgation of policies, procedures, and plans for meeting the responsibilities of the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare; (2) advises the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary for Health, and the Director, NIH, on ethical issues pertaining to laboratory animal welfare in research, including all issues relative to the implementation of the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals; (3) directs the development, implementation, and compliance oversight activities for the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals; (4) exercises oversight and negotiates Assurances of Compliance in all areas of laboratory animal research; (5) maintains liaison and coordinates policy implementation with components throughout PHS that conduct or support research involving laboratory animals; and (6) directs the development and implementation of educational and instructional programs and generates resource materials relating to the responsibilities of the research community for the appropriate care and use of laboratory animals.

DIVISION OF ASSURANCES (HNA372)

(1) Negotiates Animal Welfare Assurances of Compliance with research entities; (2) provides liaison, guidance, and PHS Policy interpretation to research entities, investigators, Federal officials and the public; (3) maintains existing animal welfare assurance mechanisms; and (4) develops and implements new procedures to ensure that the PHS Policy is appropriately and effectively implemented to meet the changing needs of the biomedical research community.

DIVISION OF COMPLIANCE OVERSIGHT (HNA373)

(1) Conducts inquiries and investigations into alleged noncompliance with the PHS animal welfare policy; (2) prepares inquiry and investigative reports; (3) recommends remedial or corrective actions necessary to agency or PHS officials as appropriate; and (4) conducts a program of oversight of awardee institution implementation of PHS animal welfare policy.